نشریه تحقیقات اطلاع رسانی و کتابخانه های عمومی
پیاپی 75 (زمستان 1392)

Library websites are valuable resources for the dissemination of information and provide easy access to scientific resources for users. In this study in which the websites of Iranian public libraries are compared with some public library websites from other countries we try to clarify the viewpoints of librarians regarding the importance of high frequent attributes of the websites. This is a descriptive survey. Data was collected from the websites of public libraries (the websites of 9 libraries in Iran and 20 from other parts of the world، including America، England، Japan، and India). A survey of public librarians in Iran was also conducted. 35 content attributes were identified from the study of library websites using the content analysis method and taking into account the high frequent attributes suggested by librarians، 30 content attributes were selected for the purpose of designing the proposed pattern. These items include: Advanced search، Search، Digital library، Ask a librarian، Library membership، Library facilities، Projects، Neighborhood branches، Reports، About us، Library parts، Book review، Contact us، Collection، Questions & Suggestions، Teens، My account، Services، Help، New resources، Information needs، Library policies، Statistics، News & events، Email، Location & hours، Login form، Kids. Results also represent the difference between conceptual attributes in Iranian library websites and others. Differences between librarians'' attitudes were also found. Originality/Value: In this research، a pattern for designing a public library website is proposed based on the results of a survey of public librarians'' viewpoints and incorporating an investigation in the websites of public libraries in Iran and some other countries.

The aim of the current research is to determine the equality in distribution of library resources in Markazi province. A Gini Coefficient was originally a method for determining the equality distribution of financial and revenue resources that is also used for other purposes. The research was performed using this method. Data was collected from the general offices of public libraries in Markazi provinces. The Findings of Lorenz curve reveal an equal distribution of library resources. The Gini coefficient ranges between 0.23 (for the number of chairs) and 0.24 (for the number of books). The distribution and accessibility of resources is relatively equally distributed in Markazi Province.Originality/value: The Unequal distribution of resources is always an important issue for governments. Considerable emphasis is placed on the equal distribution of financial and revenue resources. Many methods could be used to measure distribution equality and the Gini coefficient is one of this.

This research aims to investigate methods of identifying efficient provinces in terms of public library administration and to offer macro policies that dominate their management through the survey of efficiency trends of libraries dependant on public libraries Institution. The research has used an analytical-descriptive Methodology. Data from the libraries of 30 provinces were processed by DEA MASTER. 1software in a systematic approach of Data Envelope Analysis (DEA). The efficiency trend of public libraries was surveyed through six input and three output criteria between the years 2008 and 2011. Efficiency was calculated within the framework of an increasing scale revenue method using an input oriented approach. Changes in the values of efficiency and in the number of efficient and inefficient provinces is considerable. The greatest number of efficient provinces was found in 2009. The largest gap in efficiency between the least and the most efficient in the same year occurred in 2013. The categorization approach based on suitable performance oriented criteria is suggested for distribution of resources or inputs. Long term criteria and strategy oriented approach is offered for surveying outputs. Originality/Value: Considering the efficiency values، the changes، and the changing trends it is obvious that this issue has arisen within the context of a growing and unstable period. However، the management trends for equality and for reducing injustice appear to be at an acceptable level. In addition، two main points are considered in this paper: the causes of major changes in efficiency values of some provinces، and the selection of reference provinces for inefficient ones.

This research aims to examine the viewpoints of managers and librarians of Khuzestan public libraries in relation to the application of the 4P model of marketing in these libraries. This is a descriptive research and uses the measurement method. Data was gathered by means of a questionnaire devised for the purpose of this study. The questionnaire was then distributed to a group of target recipients comprising 287 public library managers and librarians in Khuzestan. 120 questionnaires were returned، amongst which 93 were correct and included in calculations. The collected data was then analyzed using SPSS 16. 0. For the purpose of data analysis، descriptive statistics was used as well as the Friedman test. The Results of the study revealed that the managers and librarians have strong familiarity with marketing. However، the majority of respondents (%68. 8) disagreed with the idea of establishing a separate unit devoted to marketing in public libraries. Paying attention to the product، place، promotion and price were the first fourth priorities، respectively، in Khuzestan public libraries. Overall، the implementation of the 4P model of marketing was proven to be feasible in Khuzestan public libraries. Originality/Value: The Results of this research can benefit the Iran public libraries foundation and also the Khuzestan public libraries foundation، particularly the managers and librarians employed in these libraries.

The main objective of this study is to examine the location of public libraries in the fourth region of Tehran، based on the centrality and compatibility criteria، and to suggest more suitable locations for building new libraries. A database of data collected in GIS environment was formed. According to predetermined criteria، the maps were prepared separately. Based on the layers overlap the situation of existing libraries was evaluated. And in the final map appropriate locations for new library buildings are proposed. The results revealed that existing libraries are in relatively good shape with regard to factors relating to centrality and compatibility criteria. But in terms of factors relating to incompatibility with library applications، existing libraries are somewhat disadvantaged. According to the findings the geographical distribution of these libraries is not appropriate. Based on the findings there are potentially better locations in this region for the establishment of libraries. These suggested locations are marked in white in the final map. Originality/Value: Considering the Fourth Five-Year Plan of development، it is necessary to build libraries in the fourth region of Tehran before starting to build a new library. It is important that the appropriate location is determined. Results with respect to the centrality and compatibility criteria suggest the construction of libraries in locations that will serve more people، in relaxed and appropriate environments.

This study aims to examine the attitudes of librarians and library staff of Public Libraries in Kerman towards privatization. This is a descriptive survey. A pre-formulated questionnaire for data collection from a master thesis (Khorshid، 1377) was used. The questionnaire collects the viewpoints of librarians in relation to 6 different areas namely، individual، economic، equitable advancement opportunities، job security، government regulations and measures of devotion. Reliability coefficients were obtained for 0. 934. The study population consists of all librarians and library workers of public libraries in the year 1390 in the city of Kerman. The results reveal that librarians have neither awareness of، nor interest in privatization personally. However، from an economic perspective، they agree with the economic benefits of privatization for the purpose of the development of organizations and for the country in general. They disagree with privatization feeling that it does not provide opportunities for everyone to progress and do not also believe that privatization will necessarily help their job security. However، librarians voted for the alteration of government rules and regulations designed to accelerate the privatization process. Finally، as a measure of their devotion librarians showed their willingness to overlook their own ideas for the sake of the organizational progress. Originality/Value: This is a unique research project which was conducted to assess، for the first time، the attitudes of librarians towards privatization.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of educating grouping information counseling on the library anxiety and libraries behaviors users in public libraries. The research method was experimental with comparing the results of pre-test and post test of two groups of experimental and control after educational courses about information counseling. The sample population of this research was the members of Foolad shahr Shahid Tavakoli library. 30 members were voluntary selected and put them in two groups. 6 sessions of 90 minutes were established for educating information counseling courses for experimental group. Self made questionnaire used for gathering data. Data were analyzed by using independent covariance with SPSS software. Results indicated that there were significant differences between two groups in terms of students’ scores regarding the pre and post test between five experimental and control group in Self efficacy users’ and interesting to study library anxiety، users come back again and Enjoyment of public library (p<0/005). In other words، information counseling courses had effects on library users such as Self efficacy users، interesting to study، library anxiety، users come back again and Enjoyment of public library. Originality/value: This research is important to explain that the effect of group counseling on improving the efficiency of information users in public libraries on the aspects of library anxiety and behavior is investigating by using a new style.

One of the most effective ways to achieve optimum information retrieval is through visualization of Information. Search strategies، probing skills، querying of information needs and analysis of information play a significant role in the accessing of necessary and useful information. Besides the factors mentioned above، information visualization can increase the availability level of information and it leads to a better information retrieval. Thus، the purpose of the current research is to study the positive impact that visualization has on the information retrieval process. The current research has been conducted based on the library and document studies. The results show that searching through the visualized data helps to identify irrelevant data without complicated algorithms for useful information retrieval. Visualization along with other search strategies results in more relevant information. On the other hand، visualization methods put emphasis on appropriate user interface and results in optimal information retrieval. In addition، visualization reduces the problems related to the comprehensiveness and completeness of information retrieval. There are some problems in visualization that involve Human factors. Some of these important factors are: the knowledge of the searcher، the method of connection between the searcher and the information provider and the uneasy feelings experienced by searchers during the search. Originality/value: Information visualization has been discussed in computer science literature and few research projects deal with the librarians'' involvement.