Showing 9 results for Kermanshah
Faramarz Soheili,
Volume 16, Issue 1 (4-2010)
Abstract
Purpose: The present research has studied the status of public libraries in Kermanshah Province (Iran) based on Dayani standard (1374). Concerning 9 criteria including daily work hours, total area, area of building, number of books, annual increase of books, number of members, number of staff, number of bookcases, and number of chairs, the libraries were compared with Dayani standard (1374) at macro- and micro-level, and the approach for each of these libraries was specified.
Methodology: The methodology of this research is of survey-descriptive type. The population under study included 52 public libraries in Kermanshah Province. The required data were collected by a questionnaire and after getting back the questionnaires, in case that they were incomplete the statistics of the Iran public libraries foundation was used. Validity of the questionnaire was tested by content analysis using experts’ opinion. Also, its reliability was measured in SPSS software as Kronbach’s alpha which was 0.83.
Findings: The research findings indicated that in comparison with level-6 libraries, the public libraries of Kermanshah Province are of better position except in one standard (Total area). Also compared to level-5 libraries, they are higher in two standards (annual increase of books and number of bookcases). In comparison with level-4 libraries, they have a lower position in four standards (area of building, number of members, number of staff, and number of chairs), but higher in one standard (annual increase of books). In addition, compared to level-3 libraries, they are assigned a lower position in five standards (area of building, number of books, number of staff, number of chairs, and number of members), while possessing a better rank in two standards (annual increase of books and number of bookcases).
Originality/Value: This paper is the first comprehensive study concerning public libraries of Kermanshah Province and it has provided evidence which assist the improvement of these libraries.
Masoumeh Pandpazir, Mozaffar Cheshmeh-Sohrabi,
Volume 16, Issue 2 (8-2010)
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this research is to determine the level of information literacy among higher education students of Kermanshah University of medical sciences.
Methodology: The methodology of this research is of survey-descriptive type using a questionnaire. The population under study was 181 higher education students including 158 intern and 23 postgraduate students.
Findings: According to research findings, the mean scores obtained among the population under study were: 3.60 for good understanding of information need, 3.69 for information search strategies, 3.12 for location of information and access to information, 3.43 for use of information, 3.29 for combining new information with previous knowledge, and 3.09 for evaluating the result of search process regarding how much it has satisfied their information need. In total, the general results of study indicate the status of information literacy among higher education students of Kermanshah University of medical sciences with mean score of 3.37 as higher than medium.
Originality/Value: Based upon the Eisenberg and Berkowitz’s Six big skills, the present research has identified the strengths of information literacy among higher education students. It has been carried out to find and study whether higher education students of Kermanshah University of medical sciences are equipped with these skills and whether they feel the need to gain such skills.
Vida Seifoori ,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (4-2012)
Abstract
Purpose: The present research aims to identify the reading skills and habits of the social science students of Razi University of Kermanshah.
Method: This is an applied survey method. A questionnaire including
27 questions and three parts was used. The parts included demographic information, reading skills and reading habits, each in 10 domains with a five-point Likert scale, scoring from "very little" to "very much". The significance level was considered
P ≤ 0.05. In order to test the research hypotheses, Chi-square test and T- test
were used.
Findings: As the findings indicate, inability to overcome the interfering and stress-giving factors during reading, lack of practical and creative reading, inability to manage time, inability to read critically and accurately, and purposeless reading are the most important problems reported by the respondents. Also, students seem to have a better status in reading comprehension, reading habits and taking notes in comparison with other cases.
Originality/Value: The reasons as why some students do not obtain favorable results in their reading attempts are lack of awareness about reading methods and the related skills. The main reading principals are those the knowledge and use of which enables students to improve their reading ability. Regarding the importance
of students’ reading skills and its relation with their education, conducting such research as the present one comes to be of significance
Venus Ghaderi, Maryam Jafari, Ali Akbar Familrouhani,
Volume 22, Issue 1 (3-2016)
Abstract
Purpose: The present paper mainly aims to identify the relationship between organizational culture and knowledge management in Kermanshah province public libraries.
Methodology: this research implemented by survey method. Data collection instruments to measure the study variables include: 1) Dennison Organization Culture Questionnaire to measure organizational culture in indices such as involvement, adaptability, mission and integration. Knowledge Management Questionnaire as a comprehensive and standardized questionnaire in the area of knowledge management. Based on the most recent statistics until the end of November 2013, the community of study was composed of 85 librarians in Kermanshah public libraries. By considering the limited number of these librarians, sampling method was not used, and the total population of the study was studied, i.e. census method was used. Finally, 82 questionnaires were collected. To analyze data, inferential and descriptive statistics was applied. In the descriptive statistics level, some indices including frequency, median and mean was used and in inferential statistics, indices such as Pearson correlation coefficient, t-test for single sample and normality test for Kolmogorov Smirnov was used.
Findings: findings indicated that the level of organizational culture and knowledge management in Kermanshah public libraries was average and there was a significant relationship between organizational culture and knowledge management. Also, there was a significant relationship between involvement, adaptability, mission and integration and knowledge management. Finally, there was no significant difference between dimensions of organizational culture and knowledge management, based on the demographic variables (gender, age, education, work experience, etc).
Originality/Value: On the basis of this research, we can approvingly state that for the creation and improvement of knowledge management tools in Iran Public Libraries Foundation, Organizational Culture is a meaningful factor that most be considered across the policy making and implementation.
Shiva Yari,
Volume 23, Issue 2 (9-2017)
Abstract
Purpose: public librarians' efforts and straggles usually were devoted to attract users and develop their reading ability. Active presence and use of clients depend on their awareness and knowledge about library and its services and library as a being made visible foundation. So the main purpose of this research is to survey visibility of public libraries in Kermanshah city from members' viewpoints.
Methodology: This research was done through survey method in autumn 2015. A researcher-made questionnaire has used to collect data. Reliability of questionnaire was approved by professionals. Test and re-test have been used to measure the stability of questionnaire. The correlation coefficient was 0/81. The statistical sample contained 375 members of Kermanshah city public libraries. 286 questionnaires were filled out, returned and analyzed.
Findings: users believed that Internet is the most important channel for access to information resources. The main channel to acquaintance with public libraries was by friends. Members’ main tool for identification of Library sections were bulletin boards and principal way of locating a library was by their friends’ help. Members believed that library promotion plans are so weak. Members said that the most important service of public libraries is reading rooms. Members’ had a deem awareness about library services. They said that library is a very important place but they affirmed that they had not enough information about library services and other libraries’ location.
Originality/Value: public libraries function already is based on reading room services. Promotional activities should be planned for more visibility and application. This article’s contribution seems to be the indication of promotional designs and plans for public libraries.
Ali Eghbali, Alireza Noruzi,
Volume 28, Issue 1 (5-2022)
Abstract
Purpose: This research aims to analyze the role of public libraries in the development of the local economy from the perspective of librarians working in public libraries of Kermanshah province in the current and desirable state of public libraries. This study extracts the activities that the public library can do in the development of the local economy in the form of information and information services, educational and research, consulting and reference, and analyzes the level of service provision in both existing and desirable states.
Method: This is an applied study which is conducted using the survey method. The statistical population of the study included 194 librarians of Kermanshah public libraries. To determine the sample size, the Cochran formula and simple random sampling was used, which yielded a sample size of 126 individuals. The research data were gathered using a researcher-made questionnaire. The construct and content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts, and its reliability was calculated using Cronbach’s alpha, which was 0.955 and 0.935 in the current and desirable conditions, respectively. The SPSS software was used to analyze the data, measure the reliability of the questionnaire.
Findings: Findings showed that in the current state, ancillary services with a mean of 3.05%, information and information services with a mean of 2.59%, educational and research services with a mean of 2.32, at a relatively desirable level, and consulting and reference services in the situation with a mean of 0.04 are at an undesirable level. On the other hand, ancillary services with an average of 2.86%, educational and research services with a mean of 2.54%, information and information services with a mean of 2.34, and consulting and reference services with a mean of 2.26 are at a desirable level, respectively. It can be concluded that the level of public library services (information, information, education, research, and auxiliary services) is at a relatively desirable level and that consulting and reference services are at a poor level. On the other hand, in terms of the desirable level of service provision (information services, educational and research, information consulting and reference, and ancillary services) are at a desirable and relatively desirable level. The ranking of services showed that in the current conditions, the ancillary services, information services, educational and research, consulting, and reference services are ranked first to fourth, respectively. The ancillary services, education and research, information and information, and consulting and reference are ranked in the favorable conditions first to fourth, respectively. Therefore, in comparison to each of the services in the current and favorable conditions, in all cases, the services were different.
Originality/value: The present study is one of the few national investigations that analyzes the role of public libraries in the development of the local economy and examines the views of librarians and decision-makers of these services who deal with the problems and issues in providing them in libraries. With the results of this study, the managers of Iranian public libraries can make the necessary plans to play one of the important roles of public libraries in Iran, which is the development of local and indigenous economy.
Faramarz Soheili, Mehri Shahbazi, Fereshteh Pashaei Sorkali, Ali Akbar Khasseh,
Volume 28, Issue 1 (5-2022)
Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to identify the factors affecting non-use of rural libraries by women from the perspective of non-user women, i.e. women who are not members of libraries and are not library users. Library factors, internet access, accessibility, and services appropriateness to needs are among the items which in most studies have been considered to have the greatest impact on people using libraries. However, due to the fact that less research has examined the problems and challenges facing women in accessing information resources and their going to libraries, this study was conducted with the main purpose of examining this important issue.
Method: This research was conducted using a qualitative approach and the content analysis method. The statistical population of the study consists of non-user women in 8 rural libraries of Kermanshah. To collect data, semi-structured interviews were conducted and in order to ensure the validity and reliability of the study, Lincoln and Guba (1985) evaluation method was used. In order validate the research tool, the research process was performed by two experts and two coders were used to codify several interview samples, ensure the uniformity of the coders’ viewpoints, and write notes during the research in Excel sheets. By applying this process, the reliability of the research data was significantly increased. The sampling method of the research was snowball and the transcripts of the interviews was analyzed using the sotware MAXQDA 2018 by applying three methods: quantitative, structural, and interpretive.
Findings: After extracting the main sentences from the transcripts of the interviews and placing them in a file, first conceptualization was done and then according to the extracted concepts, the category appropriate for each concept was selected. In the coding process, each phrase was marked as a corresponding code according to its meaning, concept, and implication under a specific heading, and was classified in the MAXQDA environment. In the next step, after omitting some of the codes that had thematic overlap, four main dimensions including environmental, personal, social and cultural, and special factors were identified, and 36 conceptual codes were extracted. Finally, due to the frequency of repetitive concepts, it was found that “special factors” had the greatest impact on women not going to rural libraries and “environmental factors” showed the least role in this regard.
Originality: This study has looked at the issue of women’s access to information resources and libraries from a different perspective and has focused on non-user women. Obviously, drawing non-user women to rural libraries can lead to the promotion of knowledge and information of this group and, consequently, can have a direct impact on families and improve the position of the library in the minds of society. Therefore, rural libraries should pay more attention to this important issue and pave the way for providing services to this group.
Saleh Rahimi, Faramarz Soheili, Fatemeh Rahimi,
Volume 30, Issue 0 (2-2024)
Abstract
Purpose: Librarians, as individuals who work in the field of organizing and indexing information resources, not only need to have technical knowledge related to their job, but also need to have some soft skills. Therefore, the aim of the present research is to determine the status of knowledge level, soft skills, and required abilities of librarians in public libraries of Kermanshah province.
Methods: The present research is applied in nature and conducted using a survey method. The statistical population of this study consists of all public librarians in Kermanshah province (140 individuals), and based on the Cochran formula, the sample size was calculated as 102 individuals. The Sanders questionnaire (2019) was used to collect research data. Because the questionnaire is standard, therefore, its validity has already been established. Also, to test the reliability of the questionnaire, Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used, the alpha obtained was 0.79, which was calculated to be more than 0.7, which indicates the desired reliability coefficient for the questions of this questionnaire. In this way, the validity and reliability of the research data collection tool were ensured and approved for distribution and implementation. SPSS software, Friedman test and data frequency distribution were used for data analysis.
Findings: According to the Friedman test, the selected skills have a significant difference with each other in terms of mean. The surveys showed that the highest priorities according to public librarians were interpersonal communication skills and Customer service skills, which are among the communication skills. This means that according to librarians, it is important for librarians to establish the best possible communication with library users. Interpersonal communication skills, customer service skills, search skills (ability to search databases, internet resources, and catalogs efficiently and effectively), knowledge of professional ethics, evaluating and selecting information resources, teamwork, writing, taxonomy/classification development are among the other important skills considered in terms of librarians' needs. This means that all graduates must be familiar with these skills regardless of their future career path. Soft skills are effective for librarians in many aspects of their work, and they contribute to improving library services, enhancing the quality of services, and increasing user satisfaction. Since soft skills are considered essential by librarians in public libraries and are required by all graduates in the field of library science, it seems necessary to focus on updating the curriculum of information science and knowledge studies to include courses that teach soft skills. Efforts should be made to educate students on soft skills through training in order to enhance their capabilities in this area.
Originality/value: The findings of this research are important for librarians in public libraries. Because librarians interact directly with their users, i.e., the community, having soft skills can lead to improved services provided by the library and librarians and greater user satisfaction. Research in this area can help improve the performance of librarians and identify their training needs as well, help design more appropriate training programs for them, and significantly contribute to improving the services provided by libraries. This research, by systematically identifying and prioritizing the soft skills of librarians in public libraries, can cover the gap in this area. Soft skills are important for librarians in public libraries. These skills help librarians to provide information services to users in a desirable way, establish effective communications with them, and solve problems efficiently. In addition to improving the quality of library services, these skills help create a friendly, dynamic, and vibrant environment for users and play an important role in enhancing the efficiency and progress of public libraries.
Shiva Yari, Mohammad Amin Bahrami,
Volume 30, Issue 2 (6-2024)
Abstract
Purpose: Despite being mostly small institutions, rural public libraries provide a wide range of services and programs in very different areas of life, including personal education, development of individual and civic skills of all citizens and filling their free times. Rural public libraries are of the factors of development in rural communities and they are also an ideal place to support the development of society and help intellectual and social growth at the individual and social levels. In this regard, the present research identified the role of rural public libraries in the empowerment and development of rural communities in Kermanshah province, Iran.
Method: The current research was conducted with a qualitative approach and the research method was the qualitative content analysis. The participants included the officials of rural public libraries under the general administration of the General Administration of the Public libraries of Kermanshah province in the fall of 2023. The purposive sampling was used to select participants and data collection process was continued until data saturation. A total of 14 interviews were conducted and their duration varied between 40 and 75 minutes. The qualitative content analysis method was used to analyze data. In order to validate the research, the criteria of credibility and reliability were used.
Findings: The analysis of the interview data led to the formation of two categories including the actions of rural public libraries in empowering villagers and village development and the challenges of rural public libraries in empowering villagers and village development. In the former category, 4 concepts including cultural development, economic development, social development and sustainable development and environmental protection were identified, which show the different aspects of role-playing of rural public libraries of Kermanshah province in empowering villagers and developing their villages. In the latter, i.e. the category of challenges, there are 8 concepts including human resources, information resources, facilities, the quality level of programs and services, measuring the effectiveness of programs and services, factors related to villagers, the level of cooperation and participation and how to inform and advertisement were detected. In general, the rural public libraries of Kermanshah province empowered their local communities and contributed to the development of their villages through their services, activities and programs. By implementing their various programs and services, which mostly continued throughout the week, the aforementioned libraries have been able to raise the cultural, social and economic awareness and insight of the village, showing the colorful and influential role of the book compared to the Internet and establishing the role of the library as a socio-cultural base of the village and taking an effective step.
Originality/Value: There has been no research on the role of rural public libraries in the development of their communities in Iran. The findings of this research can be used as a roadmap for rural public libraries in the comprehensive development of their services and programs and their greater impact on the development of their villages.