Determination of Criteria for Selection of Web-based Library Software

Library software is a tool for storage and retrieval of libraries information and resources. The present study aimed to investigate the criteria for selection of web-based library software in Iran. This applied research was conducted in two stages using a researcher-made questionnaire. In the first stage, while reviewing the texts, an interview was conducted with library experts to determine the criteria and a questionnaire was designed with the selected criteria from reviewing the texts and interviewing the experts. To determine the validity and reliability of the questionnaire, first, the Mini-Delphi was conducted with five professors and library experts. Three main criteria of 12 criteria identified in this study for selection of the library software were the metadata used, technical characteristics and the ability to exchange information with other software, and system support, respectively. Also, the most important criteria for selecting library software according to the experts' viewpoint were determined. According to the results, in addition to the type of programming, support that the company offers with the software product was also important for the users of library software. The important criteria for buying the software according to the users' viewpoint were also determined. Software companies should try to design the related sofware considering the users' viewpoint.