Feasibility of implementing distance reference services in the central libraries of Islamic Azad University (Region 13)

The purpose of the present research is to study the feasibility of implementing distance reference services in the central libraries of Islamic Azad University (Region 13).
This is an applied research that has been done using survey approach. The research population included post graduate students¡ librarians and managers of central libraries of Islamic Azad University (Region 13). 380 Students were selected using stratified random sampling based on Cochran formula. As the number of librarians and managers wasn’t very much¡ all of them have been considered in study. 3 researcher made questionnaires were used to gather data. Their validity and reliability were confirmed by Library and Information Sciences specialists and Cronbach’s alpha.
Findings: The findings showed that the mean level of familiarity with distance reference service technologies and its usage were higher than average among students. More than half of them preferred non-attendance reference services. Also¡ librarians’ and managers’ familiarity and usage were in a desired level. Libraries had not enough facilities and equipment and budget to set up distance reference services.
According to research findings¡ despite the human resources are appropriate¡ due to the lack of facilities and equipment¡ as well as funds¡ setting up distance reference services in mentioned libraries is not possible at present.