نشریه تحقیقات اطلاع رسانی و کتابخانه های عمومی
پیاپی 60 (بهار 1389)

This paper aims to study the role of organizational entrepreneurial culture as an essential factor in creativity and innovation in Iran Public Libraries Foundation. This research is of survey-descriptive type. The initial data were collected by questionnaire. To measure the dimensions of organizational entrepreneurial culture, McGuire’s Questionnaire (2003) was used. Also, measurement of creativity and innovation was performed by standard questionnaire of Sloane paul (2006). The population under study involved all staff in Iran Public Libraries Foundation, i.e. 4700 persons. We used simple random sampling, in which 150 questionnaires were distributed and finally 116 questionnaires were received. Analysis of collected data using SPSS and LISREL 8.5 software along with sign test and pathway analysis indicated that organizational entrepreneurial culture has a positive and significant effect on creativity and innovation. Furthermore, results of sign test revealed that among different dimensions of entrepreneurial culture, the dimension of work meaningfulness and fun is in a proper condition, while other dimensions of entrepreneurial culture including boldness, tolerance of creative deviation, underdog aggressiveness, risk taking, open communication, cooperation, proactive innovation, voice, and organizational entrepreneurial culture are in an unsuitable condition.Originality/Value: Findings of this research can assist the managers in national institution of public libraries to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of different dimensions of organizational culture which influence creativity.

Since information storage and retrieval is among fundamental tasks of libraries and information dissemination centers, finding proper software in this field is of high significance. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate web-based librarianship software Pars azarakhsh, Nosa, and Namayeh in information retrieval. The present study is an applied one. Its methodology is observation, using a checklist composed of 84 criteria for measurement, investigation, identification, and evaluation of the research dimensions. Furthermore, we took advantage of opinion of LIS experts and if necessary, software providers were also interviewed. The status of the library software under study was analyzed in 5 features, including search option, search formula, possibility of different search types, displaying results, and displaying auxiliary facilities (Help). The obtained results indicated that regarding the criteria studied in this research, the software Nosa, Pars azarakhsh, and Namayeh ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, with scores 93.34%, 82.55%, and 51.35% of total scores, respectively.Originality/Value: Besides presenting a checklist for evaluation of the information retrieval status in library software based upon previous studies and experts’ opinion, the present study provides the possibility for users of these software and similar ones to make a better decision. It also assists the software providers to resolve the present weaknesses and reinforce the strengths and moreover get familiar with existing criteria and components in this field and their degree of importance and make use of them in their future productions.

The present research has been carried out with the purpose of studying the analytic cataloging and classification (library of congress) of Arabic books in National Library & Archives of IR of Iran during 2001-2007. In this research whose methodology is of documentary method, a list made by the researcher was used for data collection. The samples included 300 catalogues of Arabic books in Iran’s national library. In total, 83.76% of cases were correct while the remainder were not. Among them, classification had the highest accuracy percentage (86.25%) and least error percentage (13.75%), whereas analytic cataloging had the lowest accuracy percentage (81.28%) and highest error percentage (18.72%). In addition, Z-test findings indicate that the accuracy percentage is much higher than the error percentage. Therefore, National Library & Archives of IR of Iran has had a desirable performance in analytic cataloging and classification of Arabic books.Originality/Value: Investigating the status of analytic cataloging and classification of Arabic books in National Library & Archives of IR of Iran during a relatively long publication period can provide remarkable advantages concerning the characterization of relative quality of activities carried out in technical services unit of this organization. In fact, such studies are useful for both researchers in this field and catalogers in Iran.

The present research has studied the status of public libraries in Kermanshah Province (Iran) based on Dayani standard (1374). Concerning 9 criteria including daily work hours, total area, area of building, number of books, annual increase of books, number of members, number of staff, number of bookcases, and number of chairs, the libraries were compared with Dayani standard (1374) at macro- and micro-level, and the approach for each of these libraries was specified. The methodology of this research is of survey-descriptive type. The population under study included 52 public libraries in Kermanshah Province. The required data were collected by a questionnaire and after getting back the questionnaires, in case that they were incomplete the statistics of the Iran public libraries foundation was used. Validity of the questionnaire was tested by content analysis using experts’ opinion. Also, its reliability was measured in SPSS software as Kronbach’s alpha which was 0.83. The research findings indicated that in comparison with level-6 libraries, the public libraries of Kermanshah Province are of better position except in one standard (Total area). Also compared to level-5 libraries, they are higher in two standards (annual increase of books and number of bookcases). In comparison with level-4 libraries, they have a lower position in four standards (area of building, number of members, number of staff, and number of chairs), but higher in one standard (annual increase of books). In addition, compared to level-3 libraries, they are assigned a lower position in five standards (area of building, number of books, number of staff, number of chairs, and number of members), while possessing a better rank in two standards (annual increase of books and number of bookcases). Originality/Value: This paper is the first comprehensive study concerning public libraries of Kermanshah Province and it has provided evidence which assist the improvement of these libraries.

The purpose of present research has been to study the status of providing services and information retrieval tools in public libraries of Sanandaj City (Iran). This will reveal the weaknesses and strengths to be considered in future policies and programming of public libraries. The methodology of this research is of survey-descriptive type. The necessary data were collected through questionnaire for library clients (400 individuals), interview with libraries’ staff, observation, and statistics existing in the libraries. The findings indicated insufficient familiarity of the clients with responsibilities of public libraries, as well as their being incapable of using information retrieval tools, especially library software. Therefore, need to programming and providing better services locally and more effective policy-making by national institution of public libraries seems necessary, considering local needs.Originality/Value: Nowadays in analysis of social welfare criteria, the development level of public libraries is considered along with the criteria including habitation, education, employment, hygiene and treatment, and it is regarded as one of the criteria according to which a country is developed. On the other hand, information retrieval is the main function of libraries and is one of the symbols of their desired performance. Hence, quantitative and qualitative study of information retrieval tools and library services is of significance promotion of goals and mission of public libraries.

Electronic encyclopedia is a novel phenomenon emerged in information system. This study aims to study the concepts, advantages, and disadvantages of electronic encyclopedias. In addition, we introduce three well-known electronic encyclopedias. This research has used the methodology of library studies and search in internet. The results indicate that the most significant advantages include remote access, support with multimedia facilities, search option, simultaneous access to a single document, classification of subjects, quick update, low cost, links between subjects, and less need to staff. In addition, the main disadvantages of electronic encyclopedias include dependence on information technology, high initial cost, quality control, and citation.Originality/Value: This research provides some recommendations for managers of encyclopedia institutions for designing and development of electronic encyclopedias.

This research has been performed to determine the level of occupational satisfaction among managers of Iran Public Libraries Foundation in center of provinces. The methodology of this research is of survey type and a questionnaire made by the researchers was used. The population under study included all managers of Iran Public Libraries Foundation in center of provinces, i.e. 189 individuals. According to research findings, average level of occupational satisfaction among managers is 81.54, while the desired level is 135. However, since the average level of occupational satisfaction in this study was more than 81, occupational satisfaction of the managers under study was a bit higher than average level. Average level of occupational satisfaction was lower than mean level in following dimensions: concerning occupational welfare, it was 8.47 (average mean = 12); its level concerning self-development was 14.80 (average mean = 18); concerning occupational nature, it was 20.94 (average mean = 21). Also the average level of occupational satisfaction was higher than mean level in following dimensions: concerning the attitude of top managers, its level was 15.41 (average mean = 12); its level concerning mutual relations was 11.55 (average mean = 9); concerning occupational stability, it was 9.44 (average mean = 9). Furthermore, hypothesis 1 was confirmed, stating that the level of occupational satisfaction of managers regarding occupational welfare is significantly lower than other dimensions; nonetheless, hypothesis 2 which stated the existence of a significant difference among average levels of occupational satisfaction of librarians based on their educational major was rejected.Originality/Value: This research has been carried out for gathering information about the occupational satisfaction among managers in Iran Public Libraries Foundation. It also presents fundamental issues in librarianship and information science which require further in-depth studies.

The present research has studied the factors which encourage or inhibit studying among clients of age 20-30 years in public libraries of Mahshahr City in south west of Iran. The methodology of this research is of survey-descriptive type. SPSS and Excel software were used for the purpose of data analysis, and Pierson’s correlation coefficient was employed for testing the hypotheses. The research findings indicated that among the factors influencing the studying of clients in public libraries, there is a positive significant relationship between status of public libraries and individuals’ education level, as well as between parents’ education level and family’s income. On the other hand, there is a negative significant correlation between the price of books and study, as well as use of other media and study. In addition, the findings showed that no significant relationship exists between the two factors of being married and gender and study. Furthermore, the present research indicated that the factors of importance in encouraging the study include: family’s role in encouraging children to study, existence of libraries in schools, setting a special time in curriculum for study, and especially the librarians’ being affable. In contrast, the important factors in inhibiting the study were concluded to be: lack of motivation, time shortage, inappropriateness of libraries, high price of books, and society’s approach toward economic issues.Originality/Value: This research has been carried out among youth concerning the significance of studying in promotion of their knowledge and the necessity of spreading study culture. It therefore investigates managerial policies of national institution of public libraries.

This paper aims to study the concepts of information poverty in human societies. Using the methodology of library study, the present paper investigates different viewpoints concerning information poverty, as well as its dimensions and causes. In comparison with different forms of poverty, information poverty is more complex. It encompasses wider dimensions and in turn intensifies other forms of poverty such as economic poverty. So, information poverty and economic poverty are related to each other.Originality/Value: This paper tries to introduce main forms of poverty in present societies and believes that information poverty deals with concepts such as information poor and rich, digital gap, and information overload. It also presents ways to confront it.