Identifying the Role of Public Libraries in Enhancing Social Security by Providing Resources and Services according to Experts’ Views

Regarding the wide spread of harshness and crime in society in spite of using penal policies shows that preventive methods can influence the reduction of crime commission more than penal methods. In the meantime, social and cultural institutions such as public libraries are acting in this regard. In this study, the role of public libraries in decreasing crime commission and rising social security is investigated.

This study is qualitative and its method is a Delphi technique. Study population included librarianship experts and people working at institutions related to the prevention of crime and social security. Sampling was done by judgmental or purposeful method and 50 subjects participated in the first stage of the study. Data was gathered through a Delphi technique in two stages and analyzed by using SPSS software in descriptive and inferential statistic methods.

The members of Delphi panel determined 32 factors as important and effective factors of social security by public libraries. These factors divided into 7 groups including educational needs recognition, educational materials preparation, wanderer or mobile services, reading promotion, leisure times enrichment, social and cultural activities, and social security and capital.

Findings revealed the importance of the role of public libraries in decreasing crime and increasing social security. The results of this study could be used in planning to raise the social security by public libraries.