Evaluation of Medical Librarian's Knowledge about New Web Technologies and Their Application in Library Services

In the age of information, in order for offering integrated library services to the users, librarians need to be knowledgable about new Web technologies and their applications in library services, especially in medical areas. This study investigates the level of knowledge and and usage of World Wide Web in library services among medical librarians in Tehran.

The present descriptive survey used a questionnaire for data collection. The questionnaire was distributed between 70 medical librarians working in central libraries and faculty libraries in three universities of medical sciences: Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences and Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. The subjects were randomly selected using the sample size formula. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire were approved by professors in Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The data were then analyzed by Likert scale and other statistical methods using SPSS software.

Based on the most important findings of this study, the majority of medical librarians knew usual web applications like Web browsers, search engines and discussion groups. However, only about 34% were familiar with facilities and applications of Web 2.0 such as podcast, Wikis, social networks and RSS. Finally, about 41% of librarians had used Web applications in library services.

As the results show, the amount of familiarity with the new Web generations and usage Web applications in library services is relatively low.So, holding Web courses and encouraging medical librarians to know and use these technologies in library services should be considered by managers.