Investigating the Level of Observingıtheı EvaluationıCriteria for User Interfaceı ıin Farsi Web Pages of Iranian Self-madeı ıand Purchased Digital Libraries

among major issues for using library software. Therefore, finding appropriatesoftware for this purpose is of high importance. This study aims to evaluate andanalyze the criteria related to user interface in Farsi web pages of self-made andpurchased digital libraries in Iran. This is an applied and evaluative study. It uses a checklistwhich consisted of 10 major criteria and 114 subsidiary components.Additionally, Delphi technique was employed at different stages of the study inpreparation of the checklist. When necessary, interview with software producerswas carried out, too. The results indicated that, out of total scores related to the tencriteria used for the study, self-made digital libraries got a high score in sevencriteria including error correction, controlling the user, guidance, help, search,and simplicity. On the other hand, the purchased digital libraries gained betterscores only in three criteria including language of user interface, informationdisplay, and consistency. Concerning total sum of mean gained scores, no muchdifference was observed between these two categories.Originality/Value: In addition to preparation of a checklist for evaluationof user interface in digital libraries based upon existing literature and experts’opinion, this study has offered the opportunity for users of these libraries andsimilar software to make better decisions when choosing. Also, it facilitates forproducers of studied digital libraries and similar software to decrease theweaknesses and reinforce the strengths. Besides, it makes them familiar withcriteria and components existing in this field as well as their importance toutilize them in their future products.