Knowledge and Information Science, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran , m.keshvari@edu.ui.ac.ir
Abstract: (401 Views)
Purpose: Despite the growth of practical experiences, especially in recent years, there is not much knowledge about the outreach services of Iran’s public libraries. Among these, one of the remaining unanswered questions is: what are the most important dimensions related to the outreach services of Iran’s public libraries?. In this regard, the main objective of this research is to identify the dimensions related to outreach services in Iran’s public libraries, in order to ultimately gain a precise insight into these services.
Method: The present research is qualitative and was conducted using the method of content analysis of the news published on the website of the Iran’s Public Libraries Foundation. Based on predefined criteria, 37 eligible news items were examined (from 2014 to 2022). Text coding was done using two methods: "InVivo coding" and "descriptive coding." The data were analyzed and examined using MAXQDA software (2019 version).
Result: Analysis of the news on the website of the Iran’s Public Libraries Fondattion indicates that six main dimensions can be inferred in the activities of outreach services in public libraries: "Social Inclusion", "Creation of Social Capital", "Enhancement of Social Well-being", "Promotion of Reading Culture", "Community Librarianship", and "Strengthening Community Values". The dimensions of "Social Inclusion" and "Creation of Social Capital" comprised 84% and 65% of the focus of outreach services news, respectively. Social Inclusion encompasses the issues of "Development of Social Justice", "Expansion of Access to Reading Resources", "Focus on Unserved Groups," and "Universal Education (Empowerment)." The concept of "Focus on Unserved Groups" with 24 occurrences is the most focused topic in the dimension of Social Inclusion. Creation of Social Capital includes issues such as "Education of Informed Citizens," "Perceived Social Support," "Facilitation of Social Interactions," and "Social Trust Base". Among these, "Perceived Social Support" with 16 occurrences had the highest frequency. The issues of "Preventing Deviant Behaviors", "Enhancing Mental Health", and "Creation of Social Vitality" fall under the dimension of Social Well-being, with the concept of "Creation of Social Capital" having the highest frequency with 21 occurrences. Enhancement of Community Values, focusing on "Cultural Values" and "Religious Values" and had the highest frequency (12 occurrences) related to the concept of "Religious Values”. The dimension of Promoting Reading includes issues such as "Familiarity with Library Services", "Increasing Reading Rate", "Filling Leisure Time". "Familiarity with Library Services" and "Filling Leisure Time" had the highest frequency with 4 occurrences. The dimension of Community Librarianship, focusing on librarians interested in providing outreach services, includes the issues of "Personal Interest of Librarians" and "Voluntary Spirit of Librarians," both repeated 3 times in the news.
Originality/Value: The present study is among the first research efforts to examine the dimensions related to outreach services in Iran’s public libraries. The identified dimensions, largely linked to the social responsibility of public libraries, indicate the "social value and goodness" of these organizations within communities. It is evident that the findings of this research could serve as a basis for designing a model for library outreach services. Furthermore, attention to this matter could lead to planning and policymaking by public libraries to address unserved communities.
Method: The present research is qualitative and was conducted using the method of content analysis of the news published on the website of the Iran’s Public Libraries Foundation. Based on predefined criteria, 37 eligible news items were examined (from 2014 to 2022). Text coding was done using two methods: "InVivo coding" and "descriptive coding." The data were analyzed and examined using MAXQDA software (2019 version).
Result: Analysis of the news on the website of the Iran’s Public Libraries Fondattion indicates that six main dimensions can be inferred in the activities of outreach services in public libraries: "Social Inclusion", "Creation of Social Capital", "Enhancement of Social Well-being", "Promotion of Reading Culture", "Community Librarianship", and "Strengthening Community Values". The dimensions of "Social Inclusion" and "Creation of Social Capital" comprised 84% and 65% of the focus of outreach services news, respectively. Social Inclusion encompasses the issues of "Development of Social Justice", "Expansion of Access to Reading Resources", "Focus on Unserved Groups," and "Universal Education (Empowerment)." The concept of "Focus on Unserved Groups" with 24 occurrences is the most focused topic in the dimension of Social Inclusion. Creation of Social Capital includes issues such as "Education of Informed Citizens," "Perceived Social Support," "Facilitation of Social Interactions," and "Social Trust Base". Among these, "Perceived Social Support" with 16 occurrences had the highest frequency. The issues of "Preventing Deviant Behaviors", "Enhancing Mental Health", and "Creation of Social Vitality" fall under the dimension of Social Well-being, with the concept of "Creation of Social Capital" having the highest frequency with 21 occurrences. Enhancement of Community Values, focusing on "Cultural Values" and "Religious Values" and had the highest frequency (12 occurrences) related to the concept of "Religious Values”. The dimension of Promoting Reading includes issues such as "Familiarity with Library Services", "Increasing Reading Rate", "Filling Leisure Time". "Familiarity with Library Services" and "Filling Leisure Time" had the highest frequency with 4 occurrences. The dimension of Community Librarianship, focusing on librarians interested in providing outreach services, includes the issues of "Personal Interest of Librarians" and "Voluntary Spirit of Librarians," both repeated 3 times in the news.
Originality/Value: The present study is among the first research efforts to examine the dimensions related to outreach services in Iran’s public libraries. The identified dimensions, largely linked to the social responsibility of public libraries, indicate the "social value and goodness" of these organizations within communities. It is evident that the findings of this research could serve as a basis for designing a model for library outreach services. Furthermore, attention to this matter could lead to planning and policymaking by public libraries to address unserved communities.
Type of Study: qualitative |
Subject:
Libraries Services
Received: 2023/11/12 | Accepted: 2024/03/15
Received: 2023/11/12 | Accepted: 2024/03/15
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