Investigating Public and Academic Librarians' Knowledge Activities of Kermanshah in Terms of Individual and Organizational Dimensions

Bearing in mind the importance of knowledge activities, the purpose of this study is to determine the status of knowledge activities in individual and organizational dimensions amongst academic and public librarians in Kermanshah province.    

Survey method is applied. Data  was collected by  Huang questionnaire, which was distributed among the 170 librarians selected as sample. Sample size was determined by Cochranchr('39')s formula.   Data was analyzed by  descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings Showed that the highest average of knowledge activities in individual dimensions is correlated to the component of knowledge absorption and the lowest is related to knowledge diffusion and in organizational dimensions. Also,  the highest average is related to the component of knowledge integration and the lowest is tied in the component of knowledge breadth. There was no significant difference between public and academic librarians (except for knowledge barriers) in comparing the status of knowledge activities in individual and organizational dimensions. The average score of the studied librarians regarding the status of knowledge activities in organizational dimensions is significantly higher than knowledge activities in individual dimensions. The status of knowledge activities in individual and organizational dimensions in public and academic libraries is at a desirable level.

Due to the low average of knowledge obstacles and knowledge breadth in comparison with other components, it is urgent that library managers hold seminars and conferences and encourage the librarians to take part in those programs and help them share their ideas and thoughts. The managers should also organize educational programs with the help of experienced librarians that help the novice librarians in regard with knowledge acquisition, job responsibilities, educational resources and library databases.