Volume 26, Issue 4 (12-2020)
Research on Information Science and Public Libraries 2020, 26(4): 597-628 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
HassanZadeh M, Samiei M, ZerehSaz M. Examining the Feasibility of Implementing IFLA Guidelines in the Iranian Public Libraries. Research on Information Science and Public Libraries 2020; 26 (4) :597-628
URL: http://publij.ir/article-1-2235-en.html
URL: http://publij.ir/article-1-2235-en.html
Faculty of Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran , samiei.mitra66@gmail.com
Abstract: (2417 Views)
Purpose: IFLA's approach is to move towards developing qualitative guidelines and examining the feasibility of implementing these guidelines in the countries using them. The present research has been conducted with a view to formulating the related qualitative guidelines and surveying the feasibility of their implementation in the context of Iran's public libraries.
Method: The current research is an applied study in terms of purpose, which applies an exploratory sequential mixed method. In the qualitative part, IFLA guidelines were investigated using the focus group method and a checklist was made in order to categorize the guidelines and to determine the evaluating groups. In this part, the research sample consisted of 5 experts in the development of Iran's standards that were selected using the purposeful sampling method. In the quantitative part, the tool for data collection was a questionnaire. In this part, the statistical population were composed of 4 groups evaluating IFLA standards in Iran's public libraries, who consisted of 80 managers and organizational specialists, 111 librarians, 21 experts, and 342 users amounting to 559 people in total. Each sample group was determined using the sampling method and Krejcie & Morgan table. Data were collected by distributing questionnaires among 4 evaluating groups. 81 questionnaires were returned by managers and organizational specialists, 110 ones by librarians, 21 ones by experts and 342 ones by users. Data analysis was carried out using the descriptive and inferential statistics. Excel and SPSS software packages were employed to calculate the frequency rates, averages and to perform the Kruskal-Wallis test.
Findings: In the qualitative part of this research, different IFLA guidelines in 12 areas of public libraries` programs and services for various classes of user community were drawn on and confirmed in the checklist of focus group. Totally, out of 12 guidelines (51 guideline statements) appraised by 4 evaluating groups, 8 guidelines can be implemented in Iran's public libraries and the remaining 4 groups can be implemented under certain conditions. The findings of the quantitative part and a comparison drawn among the 4 groups on common statements using the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test showed that there is no significant difference between the views of evaluating groups, namely librarians, experts, managers and organizational specialists; However, a significant difference was found between the above-mentioned groups and users. To increase the feasibility of implementation IFLA guidelines in Iran's public libraries, some remedies are put forward, including: revising and correcting some instructions, learning about the population of users, assessing the user needs, setting up a task-force consisting of managers, librarians, experts and users to develop and regulate library activities.
Originality/value: The review of relevant literature in Iran and abroad showed that no research has already been conducted in order to codify IFLA qualitative guidelines in the field of public libraries' services and programs or to look into the feasibility of IFLA guidelines' implementation from the point of view of policy-makers and the relevant specialists. The findings of this research can help us with decision-making and policymaking in delivering implementing services and programs as well as in developing standards for public libraries.
Method: The current research is an applied study in terms of purpose, which applies an exploratory sequential mixed method. In the qualitative part, IFLA guidelines were investigated using the focus group method and a checklist was made in order to categorize the guidelines and to determine the evaluating groups. In this part, the research sample consisted of 5 experts in the development of Iran's standards that were selected using the purposeful sampling method. In the quantitative part, the tool for data collection was a questionnaire. In this part, the statistical population were composed of 4 groups evaluating IFLA standards in Iran's public libraries, who consisted of 80 managers and organizational specialists, 111 librarians, 21 experts, and 342 users amounting to 559 people in total. Each sample group was determined using the sampling method and Krejcie & Morgan table. Data were collected by distributing questionnaires among 4 evaluating groups. 81 questionnaires were returned by managers and organizational specialists, 110 ones by librarians, 21 ones by experts and 342 ones by users. Data analysis was carried out using the descriptive and inferential statistics. Excel and SPSS software packages were employed to calculate the frequency rates, averages and to perform the Kruskal-Wallis test.
Findings: In the qualitative part of this research, different IFLA guidelines in 12 areas of public libraries` programs and services for various classes of user community were drawn on and confirmed in the checklist of focus group. Totally, out of 12 guidelines (51 guideline statements) appraised by 4 evaluating groups, 8 guidelines can be implemented in Iran's public libraries and the remaining 4 groups can be implemented under certain conditions. The findings of the quantitative part and a comparison drawn among the 4 groups on common statements using the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test showed that there is no significant difference between the views of evaluating groups, namely librarians, experts, managers and organizational specialists; However, a significant difference was found between the above-mentioned groups and users. To increase the feasibility of implementation IFLA guidelines in Iran's public libraries, some remedies are put forward, including: revising and correcting some instructions, learning about the population of users, assessing the user needs, setting up a task-force consisting of managers, librarians, experts and users to develop and regulate library activities.
Originality/value: The review of relevant literature in Iran and abroad showed that no research has already been conducted in order to codify IFLA qualitative guidelines in the field of public libraries' services and programs or to look into the feasibility of IFLA guidelines' implementation from the point of view of policy-makers and the relevant specialists. The findings of this research can help us with decision-making and policymaking in delivering implementing services and programs as well as in developing standards for public libraries.
Keywords: IFLA standards, Public libraries, Feasibility of implementation, Services and programs, Iran
Type of Study: qualitative |
Subject:
Library Standards
Received: 2020/05/30 | Accepted: 2020/09/22 | Published: 2021/02/28
Received: 2020/05/30 | Accepted: 2020/09/22 | Published: 2021/02/28
References
1. References
2. Abdel-Motey, Y. Y., & Al-Ansari, H. (2003). Public libraries in Kuwait: A study of their resources, facilities and services. Public library quarterly, 22(2), 23-37.
3. Arendrup Mortensen, H., Engberg Eiriksson, M., & Carlsson Asplund, H. (2017). The Impact of the IFLA Guidelines for Library Services to Persons with Dyslexia: Revised and extended. Retrieved from http://library.ifla.org/2129/1/074-mortensen-en.pdf
4. Bazargan, A., Sarmad, Z., & Hedjazi, A. (2005). Research Methods in Behavioral Sciences (11th ed.). Teharn: Agah Press. (in Persian)
5. Bunić, Sanja (2017) Story Behind the Guidelines: Developing the Guidelines for Library Services to People Experiencing Homelessness. Poster presented at IFLA WLIC 2017, Wrocław, Poland. Retrieved from http://library.ifla.org/1894/1/p-017-bunic-en_poster.jpg
6. Ebdali, M. (2018). Investigating the status of public libraries in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province in terms of their compliance with IFLA standards (Master’s thesis). University of Qom, Qom, Iran. (in Persian)
7. Farmer, L., & Stricevic, I. (2011). Using Research to Promote Literacy and Reading in Libraries: Guidelines for Librarians. IFLA Professional Report No. 125. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. PO Box 95312, 2509 CH, The Hague, Netherlands.
8. Ghahnavyeh, H. (2005). A Study of the Status of Public Libraries in Isfahan and its Comparative Comparison with IFLA Standards (Master’s thesis). Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran. (in Persian)
9. Gill, P. (2001). The public library service: IFLA/UNESCO guidelines for development (Vol. 97). NBD Biblion Publishers.
10. Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran. (2017). Interlibrary Loan Transaction (ISIRI 21872). Tehran: Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI); Iran Public Libraries Foundation. (in Persian)
11. Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran. (2017). Qualitative Conditions and Basic Statistics for Library Buildings. Space, Function and Design (ISIRI 22150). Tehran: Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI); Iran Public Libraries Foundation. (in Persian)
12. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. (2007). Guidelines for library-based literacy programs: Some practical suggestions. Retrieved from https://lemosandcrane.co.uk/resources/IFLA%20-%20Guidelines%20for%20library-based%20literacy%20programmes.pdf
13. International Federation of Library Associations, Institutions. (2014). IFLA Standards Procedures Manual. Endorsed by the IFLA Professional Committee.
14. Khaksarian, O. (2018). Evaluation of the Children and Adolescents Department of Public Libraries in Isfahan Province in 2017 and its comparison with IFLA guidelines (Master’s thesis). University of Qom, Qom, Iran. (in Persian)
15. Koontz, C., & Gubbin, B. (Eds.). (2010). IFLA Public Library Service Guidelines (Vol. 147). Walter de Gruyter.
16. Lehmann, V., & Locke, J. (2005). Guidelines for Library Services to Prisoners. IFLA Professional Reports, No. 92. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. PO Box 95312, 2509 CH, The Hague, Netherlands.
17. Mirkay, S., Famil Rohani, A., Cheshme Sohrabi, M. (2012) A Comparative Study of Public Libraries of Kurdestan Province with IFLA Standards. Knowledge Studies, 5(17), 71-84. (in Persian)
18. Mortensen, H. A., & Nielsen, G. S. (2007). Guidelines for Library Services to Persons with Dementia. IFLA Professional Reports, (104), 0_1.
19. Muller, P., & Chew, I. (2008). Guidelines for Library Services for Young Adults. IFLA Professional Reports, (107), 0_1.
20. Nasiri Moghadam, M. (2011). Assessing the ability of public libraries in Mashhad to meet the physical and information needs of the disabled according to international and national standards (Master’s thesis). Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran. (in Persian)
21. Nielsen, G. S., & Irvall, B. (2001). Guidelines for Library Services to Persons with Dyslexia. IFLA Headquarters.
22. Panella, N., & International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, Section of Libraries Serving Disadvantaged Persons. (2000). Guidelines for Libraries Serving Hospital Patients and the Elderly and Disabled in Long-term Care Facilities. Hague: IFLA Headquarters.
23. Rahimi, K. (2007). A study of the status of public libraries in West Azerbaijan Province and its comparative comparison with IFLA standards (Master’s thesis). Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran. (in Persian)
24. Standards Office of Iran Public Libraries Foundation. (2015). Information technology services and equipment. Iran Public Libraries Foundation. (in Persian)
25. Standards Office of Iran Public Libraries Foundation (2016). Public Library Services for Blind and Visually Impaired People. Tehran: Iran Public Libraries Foundation; Ketab-e Nashr. (in Persian)
26. Standards Office of Iran Public Libraries Foundation (2019). Public Library Services for Children and Young Adults. Tehran: Iran Public Libraries Foundation; Ketab-e Nashr. (in Persian)
27. Standards office of Iran Public Library Standards. (2020). Standards of Iran public libraries. Tehran: Iran Public Libraries Foundation; Ketab-e Nashr. (in Persian)
28. Sagoe, D. (2012). Precincts and prospects in the use of focus groups in social and behavioral science research. Qualitative Report, 17, 29.
29. Waltz, C., & Bausell, R. B. (1983). Nursing research: Design, statistics, and computer analysis. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis Company.
30. Winkelstein, J. A. (2016). Overview of first draft of guidelines for library service to people experiencing homelessness and a brief overview of services to youth experiencing homelessness without parents or guardians. Retrieved from http://library.ifla.org/1494/2/147-winkelstein-en.pdf
31. Zardari, S., Atapour, H., Majidi, A., & Akbarnejad, R. (2019). The barriers to provision of public library services to ethnic and minority groups in multicultural societies based on global experiences. Research on Information Science & Public Libraries, 25(4), 673-700. (in Persian)
32. Zhang, J., Lin, L., & Zhang, Y. (2016). A pilot survey on the applicability of the IFLA School Library Guidelines in South China: Eight school libraries cases in Guangdong Province. Retrieved from http://library.ifla.org/1442/1/144-zhang-en.pdf
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
