مهرناز خراسانچی

Platform thinking specialized libraries are no longer just a place to exchange resources and information. They are a center where human interactions create value, and researchers, faculty members, librarians, and managers are the main treasures of these centers, who will exchange the produced values with their awareness and knowledge. To carry out this research, the work steps were defined in two steps. In the first stage, by using the document study method, related documents were analyzed and the criteria related to platform libraries were identified. In the second step, using the Delphi technique, the necessity of implementing a platform library in specialized libraries was evaluated. According to the conducted surveys, the need to change the approach of specialized libraries from traditional to a platform will cause the development and effectiveness of their services. In a specialized platform library, the library is assumed to be a multi-faceted platform that, under the pretext of its services and products, creates a network among stakeholders, including managers, employees, experts, researchers, faculty members, and users. Therefore, addressing an aspect of specialized library services in a new context is of special importance that has not been addressed so far.

Library users will be willing to participate in library activities if they receive appropriate services. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the views of users about the quality of Hosseinieh Ershad Public Library services in order to implement platform thinking.

The present research is applied in terms of purpose and type and descriptive in terms of data collection method. The statistical population consisted of 900 active members of the library. Based on Krejcie and Morgan table, 269 people were selected as a sample based on stratified random sampling and 241 standard Libqual questionnaires were collected and evaluated. SPSS22 statistical software was used for data analysis..

According to the research findings, the lowest average level of satisfaction in three dimensions (effect of services, information control and library as a place) related to the items "attention to the client" with 7.47, " Having a library website that allows me to locate information personally " with 6.79 and "a suitable place for study, learning and research" with  6.31 and the highest average of satisfaction related to the item " existence of employees who are always polite" with 8.23, "convenience recovery tools that allow me to personally resources and "Find the information I am looking for" with 7.31 and "library space that encourages reading and learning" and "space for mass communication and group learning" with 7.32 out of 9 points.

The results of service quality evaluation showed that the average of public library services of Hosseinieh Ershad in all three dimensions (impact of services, information control and library as a place) was not negative in terms of "excellence gap" or "service satisfaction". To this end, it is possible to plan for the implementation of a platform thinking in which stakeholder satisfaction with the quality of library services is of paramount importance.

a brief introduction of blockchain, its unique features and applications in libraries and information centers are described in this article. According to the characteristics of blockchain, this technology is used in various services such as providing information, cataloging and organizing information, lending and interlibrary loan, storage, information security and copyright. Blockchain technology in libraries can be a useful for storing, preserving and sharing information. Blockchain can secure the rocords of users and members, and enhance the privacy of users, data and information. Blockchain technology also increases collaboration between users and librarians. This article aims to introduce these applications and go into more details about how to use blockchain in various library activities.

Concerning the importance & necessity of using OCR programs in library and information centers, this research aims at evaluating the new Persian OCR programs (Sakhr and Google). Analytical exploratory research method is used and data are gathered in a practical way through purposive observing the cases. Checklist is used as the gathering tools. Results of the study show some good and bad specifications in both programs. The outcome part of the Google program is acceptable with fewer errors but in other outcome module characteristics such as word recognition, Sakhr program did better. Due to the availability of “Google” software only through the Internet and the possibility of uploading only 20 pages at a time, there are usage restrictions for the user.

The purpose of this research is to review and analyze the developments of public libraries influenced by industrial revolutions, from the formation of traditional libraries in the First Industrial Revolution to the arrival of platform libraries in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The library, as the concept of a platform, creates a social context for improving the participation of individuals and institutions in order to exchange information and knowledge.

The research method consists of a review study in which the documentary approach is used. To extract the information, a comprehensive search was made on the documents available on the Iranian and foreign databases. Documents related to the terms of the Industrial Revolution and the Public Library were retrieved from 2000 to 2018.

The findings of the study identify the characteristics of generations of public libraries based on the paradigms of industrial revolutions. This indicates the need for libraries to shift to thelibrary platform concept in order to continue to survive and provide effective services during the Fourth Industrial Revolution era. Due to the changing social ecosystem affected by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, libraries need to change their attitudes and practices to sustain their being and increase their effectiveness by redefining their values, existential philosophy and logic based on platform thinking for synergy and creativity act with their internal and external stakeholders.It is pointed out in the related literature that libraries are central to users learning from each other, being creative, discussing their work and gaining social knowledge; Increasing the stakeholders’ engagement of the library is one of the pillars of this thinking model. To achieve this redefinition of the platform library, steps must be defined and implemented. The first step is to assess the conditions and quality of services, and then, if feasible for implementation, reviewing and localizing global experiences, and then developing library plans and goals based on this thinking. In the second step, in the issue of resource synchronization with respect to resource control, it is stated that this synchronization should be done by digitizing resources. To harmonize the setting, just as in music performance’ all the instruments had to be played with the right guidance. Similarly, all components of the library must also be aligned and redefined for all components of the library ecosystem and its external interactions. In the third step, the processes are carefully charted and implemented methodically.

In this redefinition, platform library priorities change as follows: 1) Prioritize resource synchronization over library resource control; 2) Enhancing social interactions as compared to optimizing internal libraries; 3) Prioritize the value of the ecosystem over the value of the stakeholders in the library; 4) Priority of facilitating audience access to the library; 5) Priority of facilitating audience access to the library; and 6) Priority to omni-access strategy to the library. In the new definition, the public library is a dynamic social institution, providing a platform for constructive participation for all stakeholders and acting as a value flow manager.

Social institutions, including public libraries, in connection with their duties and response to the growing changes in society, always aim to provide a platform for sharing experiences and social knowledge. This research seeks to identify important categories and components and items in platform thinking for the effectiveness of public library services from the perspective of experts so that it can be used as a model for implementing platform thinking effectively in public libraries.

Delphi and panel formation method were employed. ‌‌ Panel participants were 15 LIS experts and public library professionals. A questionnaire based on the review of the literature was designed and‌ validited. Feedbacks from two rounds of the Delphi inqury resulted in developing categories, components, and items required for platform thinking for the development of Hosseinieh Ershad Public Library services were identified.

The results showed that from the experts' point of view, what categories, components and items are important in shaping public library services based on the platform thinking model. A good increase in averages, so that only one component is below ninety percent and the other is above ninety percent, is an important point. Such a high percentage of agreement indicates the good attitude of experts towards each component and their suitability for inclusion in the research and the final questionnaire. The scores of the second round showed that the experts agreed with the changes. The results showed that the components of the model were closer to their views and the division of this round caused the experts to look at these components more positively and in their views were closer to each other than the first round.

According to the obtained results, all categories, components and items required for role-playing as a platform, with an average score of 875%, which is very close, were approved by experts. After analyzing the data in two Delphi rounds, the main topics were categorized and in its sub-category, the components were divided and the examples of the initial questionnaire were separated and a number of items were compiled under each component and the possibility of using categories and components in drawing thinking model. A platform was created. Finally, 6 categories, 17 components and 89 items of platform thinking model for the development and effectiveness of public library services were identified, which can be evidence of greater validity for drawing the model and its greater equality with the views of experts, and can be used as a basis for designing platform thinking model.