نشریه تحقیقات اطلاع رسانی و کتابخانه های عمومی
پیاپی 115 (زمستان 1402)

The purpose of this research is to identify and extract the professional competencies of the librarians of Iran’s public libraries, and to determine the importance of each of them in order to prioritize and rank them.

This research is an applied study employing a mixed research methodology. The study divided in two distinct stage. In the initial phase, a purposive selection of 61 Persian and English articles was analyzed using the meta-synthesis method. Then 104 codes were extracted using experts’ opinions, and the validity of these codes was confirmed through their content validity and their reliability was measured and confirmed with Cohen’s Kappa test. During the quantitative stage, each factor was ranked by distributing the questionnaire among 62 experts and using Shannon’s entropy method.

This research reveals a pioneering exploration into the professional competencies of librarians in Iran’s public libraries, resulting in the identification of four crucial factors, 10 main components, and an extensive 72 sub-components that categorize these competencies. The ‘Ability’ factor, consisting of specialized ability and thinking ability, emerges as a cornerstone with conceptualizations across 9 sub-components. The ‘Feature’ factor, consisting of occupational and behavioral characteristics, was conceptualized by 19 sub-components. The ‘Skills’ factor, including managerial, social, occupational, and technological skills, was conceptualized by 32 sub-components. Lastly, the ‘Knowledge’ factor, comprising knowledge related to society and specialized knowledge, was conceptualized by 12 sub-components. Quantitative analysis, using the innovative Shannon entropy method, provides a nuanced understanding of the significance attached to each competency. The results of this analysis shows that ‘knowledge’ holds the highest weight (0/2575), establishing it as the most critical competency for librarians in Iran’s public libraries. Following closely, the ‘Skill’ factor secures the second position with a weight of 0/2545. ‘Ability’ and ‘Characteristics’ factors, with weights of 0.2498 and 0.2382, respectively, are ranked third and fourth.

Originality/value: 

This research stands out in its original contribution to the field of library science by systematically identifying and prioritizing the professional competencies of librarians in Iran’s public libraries. The comprehensive validation process, including content validity and reliability assessments, ensures the robustness of the identified competencies. The emphasis on specialized ability, thinking ability, occupational and behavioral characteristics, managerial, social, occupational, and technological skills, as well as knowledge related to society and specialized knowledge, shows a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted nature of librarianship. In summary, this research breaks new ground in the systematic exploration, categorization, and prioritization of professional competencies, offering a valuable framework for improving the competencies of librarians in the unique context of Iranian public libraries. These findings not only contribute to the academic understanding of librarianship but also offer practical insights for enhancing the proficiency of librarians in this context. Furthermore, the nuanced categorization and prioritization presented in this research provide a valuable framework for the ongoing development of professional competencies and qualifications in this field.

The purpose of this research is to determine the pattern of access to information resources and analysis of loan transactions among users of public libraries in Ilam province using the approach of association rules, clustering and classification in data mining.

In this research, by using data mining techniques, and algorithms of convergence, clustering, and classification rules on data related to the circulation desk of public libraries in Ilam province, the demographic information affecting the study behavior of members and the patterns of using information resources by this heterogeneous community were extracted. The data mining process used in the research (CRISP-DM) consists of six pahses, including business understanding, data understanding, data preparation, modeling (rules of convergence, artificial neural network, and decision tree), evaluation, and deployment, respectively.

The findings related to different groups using information sources showed that in addition to studying their textbooks, students also studied subjects such as Iranian history and Islamic religion. In terms of gender, women with bachelorʼs degrees were interested in studying Persian language and literature, and fiction. The analysis of resource lending in terms of gender showed that 58 percent of active members of public libraries in Ilam province were women and 42 percent of them were men. This difference shows that women have a greater desire to use the information resources of public libraries in Ilam province. Furthermore, among those who were late in returning their borrowed books, 54 percent were women and 46 percent were men; In terms of returning books on time, women showed their responsibility with 52 percent and men with 48 percent. The results show that men with diplomas were interested in issues related to Islam and this group felt more responsibility for returning their books. In terms of gender and its effect on the studied subjects, undergraduate women, who had free jobs, showed interest in the classes of Persian literature and fiction and did not delay in returning their books. The analysis of the behavior model of the patrons in terms of book return revealed that the men with diploma who had free jobs did not delay in returning loaned books, and the women with diploma and bachelorʼs degrees who had free jobs did not delay in returning loaned books. Moreover, students with undergraduate degrees delayed in returning loaned books. A neural network model was developed to predict the delay in the return of books based on characteristics such as gender and educational level, and the accuracy rate of the model during the learning process with the best prediction accuracy was equal to 69.18%. This shows that it is possible to learn and predict the output by receiving new entries in the database of public libraries of Ilam province.

Originality/value: 

The deployment of the proposed neural network model on the database of public libraries of Ilam province for predicting the delay in the return of books based on different characteristics, shows that it is possible to learn and predict the output by receiving new entries in the database of these libraries. Moreover, using the association rules technique, it is possible to design a book recommendation system in public libraries of Ilam province.

Given the significance of entrepreneurship training in fostering and promoting entrepreneurship as well as the appropriateness of childhood for its acquisition, entrepreneurship is seen as a crucial skill for children. Therefore, seeking techniques which help children acquire this skill is highly recommended. As children’s literature, particularly storybooks, play a significant role in entrepreneurship training, paying attention to its components becomes more crucial. The purpose of the present research is to explore the extent of the use of entrepreneurship components in children’s storybooks of age group ‘C’.

The current research employed a ‘content analysis’ method and was ‘applied’ in terms of purpose. The research population consisted of 80 storybooks that were selected by the Children’s Book Council for the age category ‘C’ during the years 2018–2020. Out of these, 30 storybooks were selected as the research sample using a simple random sampling procedure. Theses storybooks were examined by a researcher-generated checklist. As for content validity, ten psychology department faculty members were asked to assess the checklist. After receiving their feedback, the content validity ratio index as well as content validity index were calculated, and the initial checklist was revised. As for the reliability of the checklist, 10% of all the storybooks were randomly selected and reviewed by two evaluators. The checklist was completed for these books. The percentage of agreement among the opinions of the evaluators was then verified by computing Scott’s pi coefficient. The coefficient value of 0/94 showed that the checklist had an acceptable level of reliability. Six entrepreneurship components and 40 sub-components made up the final checklist. Finally, SPSS was used to analyze the data collected via the checklist.

The overall rate of employing entrepreneurship components in the selected storybooks was 38/9%. Based on the Friedman Test results, there was a significance difference between the priority of the entrepreneurship components, with ‘creativity and innovation’ and ‘need for success’ being the most frequently used components, followed by ‘need for independence’, ‘risk-taking’, ‘ambiguity tolerance’, and ‘locus of internal control’ respectively. At the population level, on average, each entrepreneurship component received the following amount of attention: creativity and innovation (36/5% to 57/5%), need for success (33/8% to 53/5%), need for independence (28/6% to 52/6%), risk-taking (26/5% to 48/5%), ambiguity tolerance (22% to 44/4%), and locus of internal control (22% to 37%). Furthermore, out of 30 storybooks reviewed by the evaluators, only seven covered more than half of the entrepreneurship components, thus were considered among the rich and suitable storybooks for entrepreneurship training. The story of ‘Pushka’ was discovered to be the richest storybook in terms of the use of entrepreneurship components.

Originality/value: 

For the first time, entrepreneurship components in children’s storybooks were examined in this study. The results of this study can serve as a guide for authors to create books for teaching entrepreneurship to children. Moreover, the valuable storybooks identified in this study in terms of entrepreneurial components can be recommended to educators, parents, and librarians as books suitable for teaching entrepreneurship to children.

In an era where information permeates every facet of our lives, the role of information consultants has gained prominence. These professionals serve as navigators, guiding individuals, organizations, and communities through the vast sea of data, ensuring informed decisions and meaningful outcomes. The aim of this research is to conduct a needs assessment for establishing the information consultant profession. Information consultant needs assessment involves examining the areas of need, the dimensions of those needs, and the requirements for acquiring this profession. Introducing the characteristics of information consultants appears essential given the rapid advancement of sciences and society’s need for purposeful guidance to access scientific and social benefits and achievements. In this comprehensive study, a needs assessment was meticulously conducted to uncover the underlying necessities within the information consultant profession.

The present research carried out with a qualitative approach and a combination of two tools was used for data collection: library study and structured interviews. In this study, initially, relevant texts were extracted through systematic searches in target databases, including ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, and domestic databases such as IranDoc, SID, and NoorMags. For the extraction of variables related to information consulting needs, 458 open codes were obtained from text analysis. Additionally, 122 codes were identified from interviews conducted with 12 experts in this field. Subsequently, the extracted codes from expert interviews were integrated with the concepts from the texts (a total of 580 codes). The main themes (selective coding) were categorized into four groups: current, incipient, unanswered, and future needs.

After a review of history and the groundworks of information consultant profession, a needs assessment was conducted to reveal the critical needs for the establishment of the information consultant profession. The recent needs assessment conducted shed light on these diverse requirements, categorizing them into four distinct areas. Regarding the requirements for establishing a professional information-sharing profession, 32 categories were identified, comprising a total of 580 components. Among the current needs, we can mention health literacy, engagement in industrial processes, resilience in the face of disruptions and unforeseen conditions, and job placement and career change. For incipient needs, we can highlight circular economy, integration with artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, virtual identity and social networks, and industrial and commercial domains related to the human genome. Unaddressed needs include themes: organizational culture internationalization and compatibility, multi-modal data, increased uncertainty and the need for innovation, widespread use of clean energy, conflict between transparency and the interests of the organization, security and confidentiality in Metaverse. Future needs include: expanding boundaries and administrative processes, the secret language of science, cloud-based life, and cyborg-human integration.

Originality/value:

 Delving into the intricate world of information needs, we explored the essential role played by information consultants in our society. Beyond mere data retrieval, we dissected the dimensions of these needs, revealing why information consultants truly matter. By gaining a holistic understanding of our evolving information landscape, we recognized that information consultants must be well-equipped to address diverse requirements—from immediate queries to emerging trends. This research not only highlighted the extensive information needs but also laid the groundwork for a specialized profession. Whether deciphering health information, staying updated on global events or making informed business decisions, individuals seek reliable sources and expert insights. Information consultants, with their outside perspective and accumulated experience, bridge the gap, offering expertise, context, and personalized support.

Budget cuts on the one hand and the need to provide new and creative services on the other hand, have prompted managers and librarians to find ways to generate income and create opportunities. The purpose of this research is to identify the factors affecting income generation in Iran’s public libraries.

This research is an applied study of the systematic review type and was carried out with the meta-analysis method. The statistical population includes all scientific and research articles on income generation and marketing in public libraries published in Persian language journals. The data collection tool was a researcher-made checklist and the vital tool used was Glynn. The collected data were analyzed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software (version 2.0).

The findings showed that at the 95% confidence level, individuals, location, product, encouragement and persuasion, price, service quality, interaction with the audience, and personalization of services are effective components of income generation in libraries. Individuals have a strong effect size, and the location, product, encouragement and persuasion, and price have a medium effect size. The effect size of the service quality, interaction with the audience, and personalization of services are weak. The results of heterogeneity tests showed that the studies under review were heterogeneous, and thus, the random effect size was used. The funnel plot showed a high standard error and high bias. In other words, the distribution of studies is not normal and random. Creating a balance between income generation and the main mission is one of the important considerations for public libraries. Libraries can help to establish this balance by relying on strategies such as: focusing on providing high-quality services and resources, prioritizing the needs of society, clarifying the flow of income generation, and focusing on the goals and mission of public libraries. Among the measures that improve the flow of income in libraries are: creating suitable infrastructures with the changes and developments resulting from information and communication technologies and creating coherent information systems, providing diverse information services, developing appropriate programs and strategies for promoting products, reforming the working structure of the library, proper cooperation and communication with other entrepreneurial and philanthropic organizations, recruiting librarians and creative specialists and inviting experts from various scientific fields to provide information advice, evaluating the services and products offered, and providing services according to the information needs of users.

Originality/value: 

Due to the budget cuts and economic recession imposed on government institutions, the implementation of revenue generation and marketing models in libraries has become more important than ever. This study seeks to identify the most important factors affecting income generation in public libraries by reviewing previous studies.

The main purpose of this research is investigation of effect of the users’ religiosity on their relevance judgment. 

This research is practical in terms of purpose and was conducted using the descriptive survey design. The statistical population of the research consisted of all fourth-level doctoral students at Al-Zahra University, whose number was 69. Mean and Standard deviation were used to describe the statistical data, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient and simultaneous regression analysis were used to analyze the data. In order to collect information about the level of users’ adherence to religiosity dimensions, Glock and Stark’s religiosity questionnaire (1968) was used which includes 26 items arranged in 4 dimensions of beliefs, emotional, consequential, and ritual. Then, in order to determine the degree of relevance judgment, 6 simulated work tasks were defined and the most important criteria of relevance judgment were evaluated during the execution of work tasks. First, the users searched on the topic of work tasks in Persian paper databases, including Magiran, SID and Ensani Portal (Iran’s Humanities Portal), and they selected 10 papers for each task. After reading each scenario and the demand related to it, users evaluated the papers related to each scenario in a related, somewhat related, unrelated format. Therefore, each user evaluated 30 papers related to 6 work tasks.

The findings indicates that among the religiosity dimensions, the interactive behavior of users showed a higher average than the interactive performance and relevance judgment. Moreover, the average of practices dimension was the highest, followed by belief dimension, and emotion dimension. Finally, the works dimension showed the lowest average. The results of multiple regression test showed that users’ ritual and behavioral dimension (such as worship, prayer, participation in special religious rites, fasting, etc.) and belief dimension and religious beliefs are effective in increasing relevance judgment, but the two affective and emotional dimensions have nothing to do with the judgment of users. In other words, despite the change in the emotional dimension of the users, i.e., the change in the degree of emotions, imaginations and feelings related to having a relationship with a divine entity such as God or an ultimate reality or a supreme authority, their relevance judgment would not change. Furthermore, despite the change in the ‘consequences dimension’ of religiosity, i.e., the change in the effects of religious beliefs, actions, experiences and knowledge on the daily life of users, the level of their relevance judgment did not show a change.

Originality/value: 

The present research is the first research that has explored the effect of users’ religiosity scales on relevance judgment. According to the findings, it is suggested that system designers and experts, in addition to considering technical issues and hardware and software equipment, should also manage the interactions of users with the system and consider the different conditions and situations of users. Librarians, while knowing the society in which the users are located and considering the religious context of the society as well as knowing the religious approaches of the users, can provide the necessary guidance to them when retrieving information.