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Purpose: The main objective of this study is to examine the location of public libraries in the fourth region of Tehran, based on the centrality and compatibility criteria, and to suggest more suitable locations for building new libraries.
Methodology: A database of data collected in GIS environment was formed. According to predetermined criteria, the maps were prepared separately.  Based on the layers overlap the situation of existing libraries was evaluated. And in  the final map  appropriate locations for  new library buildings are proposed.
Findings: The results revealed that existing libraries are in relatively good shape with regard to factors relating to centrality and compatibility criteria. But in terms of factors relating to incompatibility with library applications, existing libraries are somewhat disadvantaged. According to the findings the geographical distribution of these libraries is not appropriate. Based on the findings there are potentially better locations in this region for the establishment of libraries. These suggested locations are marked in white in the final map.
Originality/Value: Considering the Fourth Five-Year Plan of development, it is necessary to build libraries in the fourth region of Tehran before starting to build a new library. It is important that the appropriate location is determined. Results with respect to the centrality and compatibility criteria suggest the construction of libraries in locations that will serve more people, in relaxed and appropriate environments.
 

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Purpose: The aim of this paper is to  examine  the geographic distribution of public libraries in Shiraz, and to determine the best location for the construction of public libraries.
Methodology: In this study, data was collected through literature reviews, through observations and interviews, and by using geographical maps. Collected data were imported into the Arc GIS software. By using layer combination, the geographic distribution of public libraries was examined and the patterns for establishing public libraries in Shiraz were designed.  
Findings: Results reveal the poor condition of Shiraz public libraries in terms of their geographic distribution, and provide patterns for establishing public libraries throughout Shiraz at neighborhood, district, region and city centre levels.
Originality/Value: Using public libraries is an indicator of cultural development for any society. Library use is dependent on ease of accessibility. The rapid development of our population   has made the need for accessibility to public libraries more vital and intensified the importance of locating public libraries carefully and correctly. This study assists in the site selection of public libraries in Shiraz and provides a pattern for the establishment of public libraries which would be very valuable.
 

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Purpose: This research is an attempt to examine the spatial distribution and physical placement of public libraries in Rasht through a descriptive-analytical method using GIS.
Methodology: The work is an applied research with a descriptive-analysis approach which has been performed in GIS Software environment based on criteria taken from City hall services authorized  by mayoralty of Rasht city.
Findings: the research indicates that the public libraries in Rasht city are not distributed in accordance to the residents’ needs. Additionally, the Research approves the lack of enough libraries in Rasht city. Total population of Rasht equals 639957 peoples that per these population, only 12 libraries exist. Also, for giving useful recommendations for the place of libraries, fourteen information layers were prepared and analyzed by ARCGIS software, GIS Application, and AHP model to catch appropriate locations for building libraries in five different regions in Rasht city.
Originality/Value: This work gets useful information to policy makers of Iran Public Libraries Foundation about Physical Distribution of public libraries of Rasht city and helps them to select better sites for establishing new libraries.
 

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Purpose: The main purpose of this research is to locate the public libraries in Bojnourd based on the indicators of centrality, consistency and natural features of the earth. Identification of the major criteria in the site selection of the libraries, determination of the appropriate method for standardizing and weighting the criteria, and definition of appropriate scenarios for each of the selected area as based on their physical properties.
Method: The present study's method is descriptive with a practical nature and a quantitative approach, and the survey method has been used to collect the data. In order to standardize the criteria maps, fuzzy functions were used; in to weigh the site selection criteria, the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) were utilized; and to combine the criteria, the weighted linear combination (WLC) were used. The Delphi method and paired comparison questionnaire were used to weight the criteria. The statistical population is composed of the experts related to the site selection of libraries, and 12 persons were selected as the sample using the targeted non-random sampling method.
Findings: The findings of the research indicated that in general, population density, accessibility, distance from existing libraries, proximity to educational centers and proximity to cultural and religious centers, respectively, have been the most important criteria in terms of the importance of the final weight of criteria. By combining the criteria considered in this study, 6 areas had a high spatial fitness for library space. In addition, given the standard per capita, Bojnurd city needs 3 new libraries which can be selected according to the policies considered, from the 6 areas with high spatial fitness.
Originality/value: Locating the appropriate areas for building a library can prevent additional costs before building a library. In addition, the correct site selection of libraries can have a significant impact on the efficiency of libraries. Considering the limited budget and the equipping policies of libraries, various strategies are adopted to lease a place for the library or to build a new library. Therefore, several plans and scenarios are presented in this research with an innovative approach within the selected areas according to the status of the existing uses of buildings and and the bulidings' quality. Furthermore, the most important issue that has received less attention thus far is the uncertainty in judgments. Therefore, the fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making method was used in order to solve this problem.