Survey on the status and facilities of the public libraries in Hamedan province in providing services peripheral to users from the point of view of librarians

This study aimed to survey the status and facilities of the public libraries in Hamedan province (Iran) in providing services peripheral to users from the from the point of view of librarians.
Survey method was descriptive. Data was collected by a researcher- made questionnaire . The population included all the 132 librarians in 79 public libraries (urban and rural regions) of Hamedan province. Total of 132 questionnaires were distributed and 108 of them were returned. For the purpose of data analysis, descriptive statistics was used.
Findings: Findings indicated that in %95.4 of these public libraries, various types of services peripheral were offered. Painting Contest, internet services, storytelling and book reading contest of the services peripheralwere provided in the libraries. Masnavi and Shahnameh reading sessions, film screenings and plays rarely were held in libraries.
The results showed that despite of the policy to provide services peripheral , libraries were not very successful in providing these services to attract and encourage library users . %56.6 of the population believed that the efforts taken by the library organization and management for the optimal performance of these services was in moderate level and %51 of librarians described it at a minimum level. The most important barriers to the services peripheral provision were lack of: funds, qualified staff to manage these programs, user acceptance, authorities’ cooperation and adequate knowledge and attitude, librarians’ cooperation and enthusiasm, and not having enough time to run these services. Overall, in order to provide services peripheral, the status and facilities in public libraries (space, funding, equipment, and trained and experienced personnel) were low.