Research on Information Science and Public Libraries

The Personal, Knowledge and Skill Characteristics of Iranian Public Library Librarians in Providing Readers’ Advisory

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Mahboobeh Delpasand 1
Somayeh Sadat Akhshik 2
Siamak Mahboub 3

1 MSc in KIS, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of KIS, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Data Science andArtificial Intelligence, Organization of Records and National Library of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Tehran, Iran

10.61186/publij.30.4.380
Abstract
Objective: This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the level of readiness of librarians in Iranian public libraries to provide readers’ advisory services.
Method: This study was conducted using a descriptive-survey method. The statistical population included all librarians working in public libraries under the supervision of the Public Libraries Institution of the country, and a sample of 365 people was selected by convenience sampling method. The research tool was a researcher-made questionnaire with 80 questions that measured readers' consulting competencies in three dimensions: personal characteristics, knowledge, and skills. The data were analyzed using a five-point Likert scale in SPSS.
Results: Librarians are at an average level of overall readiness to provide consulting services. In the personal characteristics dimension, librarians were at the above-average level in the components of critical thinking, professional commitment, creative thinking, self-awareness, and non-judgment. In the knowledge dimension, the cultural, legal, evaluation, and development components were at the above-average level, but the process knowledge component was below-average. In the skill dimension, all components were evaluated to be at the above-average level.
Conclusion: Based on the results, librarians need to improve their process knowledge and also more develop their skills to provide more effective consulting services.

Keywords

Reader advisory
public libraries
librarians
Iran
readiness assessment
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Research on Information Science and Public Libraries
Volume 30, Issue 4
Winter 2024
Pages 380-394

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