Spatial analysis of Astan Quds library system in Mashhad and proposal for location to be considered for new libraries

The main objective of this study was to identify the factors and weighting system influencing the location of Astan Quds Razavi Libraries and also to determine the most suitable locations for the construction of new libraries. statistical population of this study included 18 libraries affiliated to Astan Quds Razavi in Mashhad. After appropriate weighting of the locating criteria and components by specialists and forming a database in a Geographic Information System environment, the present situation of the libraries was investigated and new locations were suggested. in the weighting process, the centrality and compatibility criteria had the highest importance respectively. Also by studying the operating radius of each of the libraries it was found that, despite the overlapping of a number of libraries and penetration in each other's region, some regions of Mashhad (regions 10, 11, 12) lack a library. Originality / value: Awareness about the significance of each criterion can improve the approaches towards finding appropriate Locations for new libraries. Using these findings would help develop standard libraries and also prevents loss of physical and intellectual resources of these institutions.