Users’ Understanding and Experience of Keeping and Leaving Personal Information in Public Libraries

Ebrahimi, Somayeh; Kiani, Mohammad Reza; Seifi, Leili; Sangari, Mahmood

doi:10.61882/publlij.2026.2084684.1065

Users’ Understanding and Experience of Keeping and Leaving Personal Information in Public Libraries

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Somayeh Ebrahimi ¹

Mohammad Reza Kiani ² ^¶

Leili Seifi ²

Mahmood Sangari ²

¹ MSc in Knowledge and Information Science, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran

² Department of Knowledge and Information Science, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran

10.61882/publlij.2026.2084684.1065

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to identify users' perceptions and experiences regarding why and how they keep and leave personal information items in public libraries in South Khorasan Province.
Methods: This study was conducted using an interpretive phenomenological approach. The sample was selected through purposive sampling from among active users of public libraries in South Khorasan Province with a bachelor's degree or higher. The data collection tool was a semi-structured interview.
Results: Personal information items were categorized into two groups: print and digital resources. The participants valued keeping information resources in both categories. Regarding leaving them, they believed it posed certain challenges but in some cases proceeded due to an inability to make decisions. The most important reasons for keeping print information resources, according to the respondents, were: personal interest, perceived future need, informational, historical, or religious value, study purposes, research activities, reminiscing, lack of access to the internet and digital resources. The most important reasons for keeping digital information items were cited as: ease and prevalence of using such resources, greater accessibility compared to print resources, saving time and cost, personal interest and need, and educational purposes.
Conclusion: Based on the findings, users place great importance on keeping and securely managing their personal information, whether in print or digital form. Most users have had positive experiences accessing their personal information and believe that keeping it offers more benefits than leaving it. However, in cases where personal information holds no value to them, they are willing to leave it.

Keywords

Keep information

Leave information

Personal information

Personal information management

Public libraries

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