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Purpose: This research was conducted with the aim of determining the information seeking behavior in web for higher education students of Razi University (Kermanshah).
Methodology: In the quantitative and qualitative parts of the research, survey methodology and Grounded Theory were followed, respectively. In the first part, data analysis was performed using SPSS 11 for the survey, while in the qualitative phase it was conducted by Grounded Theory as proposed by Meho and Tibbo pattern.
Findings: Concerning the familiarity of university students with searching methods and tools as well as types of web resources, and information seeking behavior of students of different fields at levels of information search, retrieval, and processing, the present study obtained significant results. Also, data resulted from Lown test showed that the level of information seeking behavior among engineering students is high, whereas it is low among students of agriculture and human sciences departments. In the qualitative part, the results indicate that appropriate information seeking for students comprises eight steps: the three steps of starting, pursuing, and reviewing are at search level; the two steps of filtering and updating are at retrieval level; and the three steps of information filing, archiving, and organizing are at processing level.
Originality/Value: Based upon studies of this kind, it is possible to predict the information needs of users and facilitate the main ways through which the users access the information resources, and also to help the users to gain their necessary information with less time loss and higher efficiency.
 

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Purpose: Identifying key issues in an area is the first step in the public policy process. The purpose of this study is to identify the national policy issues of Iranian public libraries from the perspective of policy makers and experts in this field.
Method: This research is an applied and qualitative research that was conducted using the grounded theory method. Furthermore, in order to reach a consensus in results, the focus group method was used. The research population consisted of experts and specialists in the field of public policy, cultural policy, as well as experts and specialists in the field of public libraries. The research sample included 27 members of the research population, who were selected using theoretical sampling method. In the final stage, six people were selected from 27 experts to form a focus group. The data required for this study were obtained from semi-structured interviews with members of the research sample, which were coded and analyzed using MAXQDA (a qualitative data analysis software) and Excel. In order to insure accuracy and reliability of this study, the criteria of validity, reliability, verifiability and transferability were used.
Findings: The research findings indicated that ‘lack of a common meaning of public libraries in the country (between experts, policymakers and the public)’, ‘the imbalance between decision-making and national policy-making and local policy-making’, and ‘the capability of weak managers in the field of public libraries (policy-making, decision-making and execution)’ are the national policy issues of Iran’s public libraries. Moreover, by examining the relationships between categories and considering the central categories, the issue of ‘conflict between national policy and local policy of public libraries’ was identified as the main issue of national policy of public libraries in Iran, on which the members of the focus group reached a consensus.
Originality/value: The positive point of this research is in that it made use of the views of both public policy makers and public libraries’ experts to identify key issues. It is one of the first studies to examine public library issues in the national policy of public libraries in Iran by using a qualitative method. Furthermore, it is original in subject and research method.

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Purpose: Libraries as social institutions have an indispensable role in meeting the educational and cultural needs of society. However, the economic downturn has increasingly increased the costs of library services, and consequently, limited them in implementation of the programs. Creative economics is a shortcut to making money through art, culture, and science that can partially solve the problem of library budgets. For this purpose, the present study seeks to investigate the pattern of earning income in public libraries with a creative economics approach.
Method: This research is fundamental in terms of purpose and qualitative in terms of nature, which was conducted by using the grounded theory method. Participants were 19 expert experts with sufficient experience and interest in the research topic. They were selected from the fields of librarianship, entrepreneurship, and economics by purposive sampling method from a wide range of communites. Data collection was performed using semi-structured interviews and systematic open-ended questions through telephone and virtual networks. The interviews continued until sufficient information was obtained for saturation.
Findings: Data analysis showed that the theoretical basis of the revenue model in libraries consisted of six core components: 1. management mechanisms with sub-components of: nurturing role of senior managers in creating change, providing facilities and equipment, contribution of librarians, and management’s attention to creative human resources; 2. financial and administrative mechanisms which include: development and stabilization of resources and optimization of expenditures, resource management, administrative support for investment, and increasing the financial strength of libraries; 3. proper mechanisms with sub-components of: amending the libraries’ establishment law, creating a legal process for obtaining revenue licenses, clarification of laws and regulations; 4. educational mechanisms which include: in-service training in and familiarity with interactive methods, training and creation, changing training methods, familiarity with new training methods, and changing the attitude of managers to training methods; 5. revenue-generating mechanisms with sub-components of: creating logical interaction with customers, designing service delivery and plans, setting a schedule of financial independence, creating a wide network of product distribution; and 6. structural mechanisms including: strong and continuous support for management programs, improving the quality of cultural services and products, improving social status, promoting specialized management, preparing a strategic document for the creative economy. The development of library services depends on the intelligent mechanisms of the creative economy of these components.
Originality/value: While the economic downturn and the lack of financial resources have forced libraries to choose the extra income path for their survival, no research has been done on this subject in Iran. Creative economics and entrepreneurship allow libraries to generate revenue through art, culture, and science. Creative revenue will be a big step towards budget independence and reducing the financial burden on libraries, and consequently, reducing staff livelihood concerns, financing acquisitions and up-to-date resources, as well as maintenance of library building. Of course, it should be noted that the creative economy does not only harm the provision of standard library services but also puts public services on the path to prosperity and development due to the legitimacy of social capital and the revenue it brings to libraries.

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