The Relationship Between Demographic Characteristics and Attitudes of People of Ahvaz towards the Social Status of Public Libraries

INTRUDUCTION: The attitude of different groups in the society towards public libraries is important, as it affects decision to use or not to use public libraries. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between demographic characteristics and attitudes of the people of Ahvaz (Iran) towards public libraries.
This survey is of a descriptive-analytical type. Using a researcher-made questionnaire, 410 people of Ahvaz were randomly selected through quota sampling method. The questionnaires were distributed in person among the settlers of the areas randomly selected. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics as well as one-sample t-test, two-independent samples t-test, ANOVA, and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test were applied.
FINDINGS: Findings showed that total attitude of the respondents was positive and at “fairly desirable” level. Socio-cultural value of public libraries obtained the highest score, and facilities and equipment got the lowest score. People in different age groups and different economic-social groups were significantly different in their attitudes towards public libraries’ social status. However, there was no significant difference in respondents’ attitudes considering their educational level. Of the five variables studied, the variable “Library as a place of socio-cultural values” obtained the highest average (3.70).
More use of information and communication technologies will enable public libraries to use technical innovations to compete other media and keep their social status, while observing traditional values at the same time. In-person or virtual presence of users from various social and economic groups will lead to more interaction and trust among people and thus help to increase their social capital. One important limitation of the study is the lack of generalization to other types of libraries and other societies.