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Purpose: This paper assesses the goals of Iran’s scientific knowledge development networks and information technology from the viewpoint of 30 scientific and research centers.
Methodology: This study, using questionnaire, aimed to survey the research community including the officials of Iran’s network of research centers affiliated to the ministries of Science, Research and Technology, an Health and Medical Education, having passed specialized courses related to scientific networks and having interaction with the audience.
Findings: All the centers with a mean of 3.25 believed that the goals of Iran’s Scientific Network are achievable, which is a relatively high positive assessment. Additionally, the results of Chi-Square Test showed no significant difference in the evaluation conducted by the representatives of the study centers. Finally, some recommendations are presented for network improvement and further research in this field.
Originality/Value: The results of this evaluation will hopefully lead to the Iran’s scientific networks effectiveness in the development of information technology and knowledge.
 

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Purpose: One of the most effective ways to achieve optimum information retrieval is through visualization of Information. Search strategies, probing skills, querying of information needs and analysis of information play a significant role in the accessing of necessary and useful information. Besides the factors mentioned above, information visualization can increase the availability level of information and it leads to a better information retrieval. Thus, the purpose of the current research is to study the positive impact that visualization has on the information retrieval process.
Methodology: The current research has been conducted based on the library and document studies.
Findings: The results show that searching through the visualized data helps to identify irrelevant data without complicated algorithms for useful information retrieval. Visualization along with other search strategies results in more relevant information. On the other hand, visualization methods put emphasis on appropriate user interface and results in optimal information retrieval. In addition, visualization reduces the problems related to the comprehensiveness and completeness of information retrieval. There are some problems in visualization that involve Human factors. Some of these important factors are: the knowledge of the searcher, the method of connection between the searcher and the information provider and the uneasy feelings experienced by searchers during the search.
Originality/value: Information visualization has been discussed in computer science literature and few research projects deal with the librarians' involvement.
 

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Purpose: This paper aims to examine the feasibility of providing electronic reference services (ERS) in public libraries affiliated with the Public Libraries Foundation in Tehran City.
Methodology: This is a descriptive survey study and the research population consists of the staff of public libraries within the five districts of Tehran. The research instrument is a questionnaire that is designed by the researcher. The questionnaires were distributed amongst all of the staff (120 people), and all of them were collected.
Findings: The results showed that the public libraries don’t have conditions and facilities for providing ERS. The skills and knowledge of librarians in relation to the use of ERS is average. The lack of adequate infrastructures, together with the information technology facilities  for setting up these services, is the main obstacle in launching ERS.  Other significant barriers to the provision of these services in libraries are a lack of support from the parent organization ( the Public Libraries Foundation) and the fact that  funds have not been allocated for the implementation of ERS.
Originality/value: The Iranian Public Libraries Foundation can use the results of this research to establish electronic reference services in subsidiary libraries.