A Qualitative Approach Towards the Use of Social Networks to Share Knowledge in Public Libraries in Kerman

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the use of social networks to share knowledge by librarians in public libraries in Kerman. This study used a qualitative approach and grounded theory method. Research population included librarians of all public libraries in Kerman. The participants in the study were selected through snowball sampling. Findings: 69 conceptual propositions were identified through the analysis and open encryption of interviews and the review of the literature. In the second phase using the encryption key, the data were splitted into categories that were most relevant to the study of conceptual statements relating to the interviews. This leaded to 29 conceptual propositions in public librarians. Then in the third phase, four main components were identified including personal activities, professional activities, communication, and religion respectively. The results showed that the current public librarians in Kerman use social networks for individual activities, professional activities, communication in general and for knowledge sharing of religious issues in particular but Knowledge sharing and distribution of scientific issues play the large part in this subject.