Investigating the Information Literacy among Librarians of Public Libraries in Khuzestan Province in order to identify their potential Strengths or Weaknesses in this Field

Rezvan, Azin; Kokabi, Morteza; Bigdali, Zahid

Investigating the Information Literacy among Librarians of Public Libraries in Khuzestan Province in order to identify their potential Strengths or Weaknesses in this Field

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Azin Rezvan

Morteza Kokabi

Zahid Bigdali

Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz

Abstract

The present research studies the level of information literacy among librarians of public libraries in Khuzestan province with the purpose of identifying their potential strengths and weaknesses. The statistical population in this study includes all librarians of public libraries in Khuzestan province. The findings indicate that the mentioned librarians are at desirable level in following skills: correct understanding of their information needs; the ability of combining new information with previous knowledge and generating new knowledge; evaluating the result of search process with regard to satisfying their information needs; and level of commitment to copyright and to legal and social limitations for making use of information. Additionally, the librarians under study are at undesirable level in following skills: information search strategies in electronic format; taking advantage of online and offline information databases; making use of facilities and characteristics of search engines, discussion groups, and news groups in internet; referencing printed and electronic resources; design and selection of the most appropriate and effective method for access to information; and determining the level of consulting with other librarians and subject specialists in information retrieval.

Keywords

Information literacy

Librarians of public libraries

Khuzestan province