نشریه تحقیقات اطلاع رسانی و کتابخانه های عمومی
پیاپی 77 (تابستان 1393)

As the world rapidly moves into the new era of information and wisdom, the needs of human beings to use books and libraries continue to grow. With this in mind, in addition to increasing public library services, it's important for planners to distribute library facilities equitably across the country. In this paper we will study the distribution of public libraries in the Provinces of Iran to find out whether they are distributed equitably and the services in which some provinces rate lower than others in relation to country averages. The level of analysis is provincial; hence the data are collected from the provinces and include the number of public libraries, the number of books, the number of study places for individual people, the number of library clients and the number of library members. Inequalities in provinces are analyzed using the Lorenz Curve and the Gini Coefficient and the Location Quotient (L.Q) is calculated for comparing and sorting the provinces. The results show that the distribution of public library services in Iranian provinces is relatively equitable. The Gini Coefficient is between 0.065 to 0.191that are close to zero. A Gini Coefficient of zero expresses perfect equality, whilst a Gini Coefficient of 1 expresses maximal inequality. Thus, the Lorenz Curves are near a straight diagonal line which demonstrates that public library services are distributed relatively equitably. In 10 provinces the L.Q is lower than the average figure, and 20 provinces have a figure greater than average. Sistan Va Baloochestan province has the lowest figure of L.Q, while Yazd province has the highest. Originality/value: In recent decades, development planners have focused more attention on equal access to living facilities and especially equal access to cultural services, because they found that inequalities may cause to serious problems. Any of the 5 I.R.I development plans pay attention to spatial and social justice, too.

The aim of this paper is to examine the geographic distribution of public libraries in Shiraz, and to determine the best location for the construction of public libraries. In this study, data was collected through literature reviews, through observations and interviews, and by using geographical maps. Collected data were imported into the Arc GIS software. By using layer combination, the geographic distribution of public libraries was examined and the patterns for establishing public libraries in Shiraz were designed. Results reveal the poor condition of Shiraz public libraries in terms of their geographic distribution, and provide patterns for establishing public libraries throughout Shiraz at neighborhood, district, region and city centre levels. Originality/Value: Using public libraries is an indicator of cultural development for any society. Library use is dependent on ease of accessibility. The rapid development of our population has made the need for accessibility to public libraries more vital and intensified the importance of locating public libraries carefully and correctly. This study assists in the site selection of public libraries in Shiraz and provides a pattern for the establishment of public libraries which would be very valuable.

The aim of this research is to identify the main criteria used for selecting the locations of public libraries based on an optimized model, Topsis-Fuzzy technique and using geographic information systems. The research also aims to investigate the identified criteria in the geographic space of Tabriz city. The research will be used to produce a map of convenient sites for public library usage. This is an applied-developmental research study that uses descriptive analytical techniques. We analyzed the attitudes of the researchers from different fields towards the selection of public libraries site criteria, based on the Topsis-Fuzzy technique, and represented the results on the Tabriz map using Arc GIS software. The findings of the research include 21 criteria for locating the locations of public libraries. Moreover, based on the specified criteria and their importance, convenient space for public library buildings usage is represented on a map. Originality/Value: The main contribution of the research is a new approach for locating public library sites based on the ideas of experts, the analysis of data by new techniques such as Topsis-Fuzzy, and the representation of the results on several map layers.

This research is an attempt to examine the spatial distribution and physical placement of public libraries in Rasht through a descriptive-analytical method using GIS. The work is an applied research with a descriptive-analysis approach which has been performed in GIS Software environment based on criteria taken from City hall services authorized by mayoralty of Rasht city. the research indicates that the public libraries in Rasht city are not distributed in accordance to the residents’ needs. Additionally, the Research approves the lack of enough libraries in Rasht city. Total population of Rasht equals 639957 peoples that per these population, only 12 libraries exist. Also, for giving useful recommendations for the place of libraries, fourteen information layers were prepared and analyzed by ARCGIS software, GIS Application, and AHP model to catch appropriate locations for building libraries in five different regions in Rasht city. Originality/Value: This work gets useful information to policy makers of Iran Public Libraries Foundation about Physical Distribution of public libraries of Rasht city and helps them to select better sites for establishing new libraries.

The study aims to enhance the design of public libraries, both quantitatively and qualitatively, in Tehran. This is a practical research study which uses both qualitative and quantitative methods. The data was collected through a semi-structured interview and a researcher-made questionnaire. The research was conducted in the public libraries of Tehran during Ordibehesht and Khordad in 1391. Following the data collection, the interviews were transcribed and the qualitative content analysis was used for their analysis. The data obtained through the questionnaire was analyzed by applying statistical methods and SPSS. The results indicate that librarians are not satisfied with the design of public libraries in Tehran. Although the librarians express their enthusiasm for participating in the design of the libraries, they are rarely called upon to do this and their suggestions for making the libraries more attractive and user-friendly are never valued. They suggested that the main obstacles to the effective design of libraries are the mother organization and the library facilities and equipment. The results also reveal that the satisfaction level of the library users with the various aspects of library design is, apart from a few cases of moderate satisfaction, mostly low. The users are rarely satisfied with features incorporated in the design. Originality/ Value: The review of available literature on this subject indicates that no study has been conducted in the area of public library design and the satisfaction levels of both the librarians and users.

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the Quality of Work Life (QWL) level, and the differences in QWL level among public librarians affiliated to two main organizations: the Art and Cultural Organization of Tehran Municipality and the Iran Public Libraries Foundation in Tehran. For the purpose of data collection, 226 public librarians were surveyed via an online questionnaire. However, data was analyzed by SPSS 16 as a means of reporting the results. The Walton’s QWL questionnaire was specifically constructed and standardized by the investigators for data gathering. The level of QWL among public librarians is relatively high. Significant difference in the mean scores of QWL’s four dimensions was found to exist between the librarians of two organizations. This finding probably relates to the management system of these two organizations. A significant difference in mean QWL scores was noticed amongst the groups of librarians categorized on the basis of their educational backgrounds. Thus, maybe the policy-makers should try to employ those librarians who graduated from LIS programs.Originality/Value: This is one of the first studies to provide evidence of the level of QWL within an executive librarian population. The study provides information which enables comparisons between two authorized organizations. Additionally, it provides evidence of the relationship between demographic characteristics and QWL.

This study aims to describe the current status of services offered by Tehran municipal public libraries and to determine the user's expectations of libraries. This is a survey-analytical research study. Data was collected through a modified version of the SERVQUAL questionnaire. The sample was selected using a random sampling approach, and the questionnaires were distributed among 300 active members of Tehran municipal public libraries (8 libraries). In this study, the gap between the current level of services that users receive, and their expectations is investigated in terms of factors such as physical facilities, library collections, staff, technical processes and library services in general. Results show that Tehran municipal public libraries are not providing the level of service quality demanded by users. The current services are recognized to be in good conditions (score 3 to 4, but in all areas the user's expectations are identified as exceeding what is currently being offered to them, i.e. They are not being met (score greater than 4). Among the investigated areas, "physical facilities" is observed to display the highest gap (with a gap of 1.18 and a score of 4.67 as opposed to 3.50), and the "staff" dimension is observed to have the lowest gap (with a gap of 0.60, and a score of 4.18 as opposed to 3.59). The results of this study indicate a high level of user's expectations in relation to libraries and inadequate accountability by libraries to meet these expectations, with an overall gap of 0.86, suggesting that Tehran municipal public libraries need to improve in all areas of service quality. Originality/value: This study provides empirical results that could help Tehran municipality in the planning and management of its libraries.

The aim was to study the relationship of parents’ cultural capital and their children use of library materials in the Khorasan public libraries. The population involved all the members of institutional urban public libraries dominated by the General Office of South Khorasan Public Library Foundation who were active users in the time (Sept., 2013) the study was done, and had 15 to 30 years old. The cluster sampling technique was used. In the first phase, 13 libraries out of 11 cities of South Khorasan were chosen as clusters. In the second phase, from each library, 29 users were randomly selected, and received the questionnaire. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics by SPSS. The results showed, among all kinds of library materials, the special discipline books had most used by the respondents. Any significant correlation was not observed between the parents’ institutionalized cultural capital and the children use of library materials. The findings also showed that, the respondents’ gender and educational levels had not any effect on the relationship of the parents’ embedded and objectified cultural capital. Originality/Value: the same research has not already been conducted anywhere, especially about public libraries. Meanwhile, the results of this one may be used for the future planning of Iranian public libraries Foundation and its South Khorasan branch.

This study aims to investigate the influence of individual's characteristics on the acceptance of Namaye library management software by librarians in Tehran public libraries. This is an analytical survey project. The research population consists of all of the 131 librarians and the head of public libraries affiliated with the Public Libraries Foundation, in Tehran. Data was collected using questionnaire, and analyzed using both descriptive and analytic statistical methods in SPSS. The findings demonstrate that the demographic characteristics of librarians and their work experience do not have a significant impact on their acceptance of this technology. In addition, the librarians’ willingness to continue using the software appears to be moderate which significantly affects their acceptance of the software. According to the findings, librarians who are 50 to 60 years old; those who have more than 26 years of work experience; those who have bachelors degree qualification; and those who are educated in fields other than LIS, showed the highest acceptance rate for this technology. Originality / value: Library software packages have been used in Iran public libraries for more than a decade, but so far no study has been performed to investigate the effect of individual's characteristics on the acceptance or rejection of these technologies. This study can provide new and useful results for planners, managers and the staff of public libraries that will help them to make the right decisions on modifying, upgrading, continuing, terminating or replacing alternative technologies. It can also help them to understand how to select the most appropriate staff for their libraries and how to train these staff.