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the article studies deaf high school students’ satisfaction of Isfahan public library services. A sample of 156 deaf students in Isfahan was given a questionnaire to complete. Fifty-three students (34%) said they used public library services, of which 92.5% had joined the library in the last two years prior to the study. About 77% of users used the library once a week. About 45% used public libraries managed by municipality and 41.5% used mosque libraries. About 77% of users were a little satisfied with the service instructions. There were no significant gender differences in regard with students’ satisfaction of librarians and quality and quantity of physical and welfare facilities.

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Marketing is the search with the purpose of finding the most proper market and sections where the organization can provide more useful and effective services and satisfy the needs of its clients and visitors in the best manner. Library is a market-oriented organization whose all activities are directed considering client needs and besides satisfaction of existing needs, it intends to create new needs and requests. Marketing makes libraries capable of identifying the clients’ needs on the one hand and satisfying these needs on the other hand. The present research has been carried out in order to investigate the application level of marketing principles in public libraries of Tehran. Study method is of survey-descriptive type based upon 4P marketing model. The population under study included public libraries of Tehran city, among which 30 libraries under supervision of Iran Public Libraries Foundation and 60 libraries under supervision of Cultural and Art Organization of Tehran Municipality were randomly selected, which subsequently filled the questionnaire. Data were collected in summer 2008 and analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Results of the study indicated that public libraries in Tehran do not have proper status concerning the application of marketing principles and it is essential for them to provide a more comprehensive programming in this regard.

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Purpose: This paper aims to study the role of organizational entrepreneurial culture as an essential factor in creativity and innovation in Iran Public Libraries Foundation.
Methodology: This research is of survey-descriptive type. The initial data were collected by questionnaire. To measure the dimensions of organizational entrepreneurial culture, McGuire’s Questionnaire (2003) was used. Also, measurement of creativity and innovation was performed by standard questionnaire of Sloane paul (2006). The population under study involved all staff in Iran Public Libraries Foundation, i.e. 4700 persons. We used simple random sampling, in which 150 questionnaires were distributed and finally 116 questionnaires were received.
Findings: Analysis of collected data using SPSS and LISREL 8.5 software along with sign test and pathway analysis indicated that organizational entrepreneurial culture has a positive and significant effect on creativity and innovation. Furthermore, results of sign test revealed that among different dimensions of entrepreneurial culture, the dimension of work meaningfulness and fun is in a proper condition, while other dimensions of entrepreneurial culture including boldness, tolerance of creative deviation, underdog aggressiveness, risk taking, open communication, cooperation, proactive innovation, voice, and organizational entrepreneurial culture are in an unsuitable condition.
Originality/Value: Findings of this research can assist the managers in national institution of public libraries to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of different dimensions of organizational culture which influence creativity.
 

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Purpose: The purpose of present research has been to study the status of providing services and information retrieval tools in public libraries of Sanandaj City (Iran). This will reveal the weaknesses and strengths to be considered in future policies and programming of public libraries.
Methodology: The methodology of this research is of survey-descriptive type. The necessary data were collected through questionnaire for library clients (400 individuals), interview with libraries’ staff, observation, and statistics existing in the libraries.
Findings: The findings indicated insufficient familiarity of the clients with responsibilities of public libraries, as well as their being incapable of using information retrieval tools, especially library software. Therefore, need to programming and providing better services locally and more effective policy-making by national institution of public libraries seems necessary, considering local needs.
Originality/Value: Nowadays in analysis of social welfare criteria, the development level of public libraries is considered along with the criteria including habitation, education, employment, hygiene and treatment, and it is regarded as one of the criteria according to which a country is developed. On the other hand, information retrieval is the main function of libraries and is one of the symbols of their desired performance. Hence, quantitative and qualitative study of information retrieval tools and library services is of significance promotion of goals and mission of public libraries.
 

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Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to study the role of creativity in using conflict management strategies among librarians.
Methodology: In this research 115 individuals as sample group were chosen among librarians of public libraries in Iran by simple random sampling method. They subsequently filled questionnaires of personal barriers against creativity (Pfeiffer) and conflict management (Putnam and Wilson). The obtained data were analyzed using independent t-test, test of significance of Pierson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple (step-by-step) regression analysis.
Findings: The research findings indicated that conflict management strategies have a significant relationship with creativity components, among which the two components “need to success” and “abstract thinking” can determine the use of conflict management strategy. Furthermore, results of the present study show that competitive strategy is significantly used more by librarians with librarianship education compared to librarians with other backgrounds.
Originality/Value: Results of current research emphasize on the importance of paying more attention to creativity development among librarians. In addition to its direct effect on librarians’ function, creativity can indirectly reinforce other behavioral skills such as conflict management.

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Purpose: Studying the role of librarians’ emotional intelligence in applying conflict management strategies is the aim of this research.
Methodology: Concerning its goal, the present research is among applied studies and regarding data collection, it follows descriptive method and is of correlation type. The essential data were collected by questionnaire. EQ test of Bradberry and Greaves was used, and in order to study the status of the styles of conflict management strategies the questionnaire proposed by Putnam and Wilson was utilized. The population under study included all male and female librarians employed in public libraries of Tehran, and 100 individuals out of them were considered as sample group by random cluster sampling. For statistical analysis, in addition to descriptive statistics indices and tables and abundance graphs, some other tests were utilized including test of significance of Pierson’s correlation coefficient, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multiple regression analysis.
Findings: Based upon the results obtained, applying the solution-oriented strategy in staff with high EQ is significantly more than those with low EQ (p<0.001); however, no significant difference was observed for non-intervention and control strategies.
Originality/Value: Results of this research can provide an effective education background for librarians of public libraries and also be useful in selection of more suitable individuals for librarianship.
 

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Purpose: The present research was carried out with the purpose of studying occupational stress among librarians and managers of public libraries under supervision of National Institution of Public Libraries in Tehran in 2010.
Methodology: This study is of survey type. The population under study consisted of 103 librarians and managers of public libraries in Tehran which were chosen by simple random sampling. We also used Osipow Occupational Stress Inventory.
Findings: Among the population under study, 23 persons (33.22%) were library managers and 79 (70.76%) of them were librarians. Mean occupational stress in this sample was 194.20; considering the scoring table of Osipow scale for occupational stress, total occupational stress was normal. So, occupational stress was not observed in the sample. Also, the highest mean value among dimensions of occupational stress belonged to the role workload, whereas the lowest mean value among these dimensions related to physical environment. Besides, no significant relationship existed between occupational stress and demographic features (age, work experience). In addition, no significant difference was observed among work environment conditions, job experience, reward, and financial income of groups under study concerning occupational stress.
Originality/Value: We identified the level of occupational stress among librarians of public libraries in six dimensions including role workload, role incompetency, role dichotomy, range of role, responsibility, and physical environment. As the result, the current research revealed that for the dimension of role workload, which is related to how an individual responds to demands in work environment, paying more attention is necessary for programming with the purpose of minimizing the stress. Additionally, through intervening in these six dimensions, managers can control the level of stress among their employees.
 

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Purpose: This study was performed to determine and compare safety conditions of public libraries affiliated with Iran Public Libraries Foundation (IPLF) as well as Municipality Organization for Culture and Arts (MOCA) for the purpose of identification and comparison of their strengths, weaknesses, common points, and differences regarding safety indices.
Methodology: This is of survey type. The population under study consisted of 37 public libraries of IPLF and 72  public libraries affiliated with MOCA, which were in total 109 libraries. A researcher-made questionnaire as a checklist was used to collect necessary data and included questions in terms of 8 indices of library safety, which were filled by the responders.
Findings: As the results show, there is significant difference between public libraries of the IPLF and those affiliated with MOCA for the first index (quality of library building) in two criteria and for the fourth index (safety of library against fire) in one criterion, such that these criteria are observed more in public libraries of IPLF, and these public libraries were evaluated to be better concerning the quality of library building. Regarding safety against fire, no significant difference was observed except one case which was observed in public libraries affiliated with IPLF. Considering the second index (library’s safety against earthquake), the third index (library’s safety against storm and flood), and the eighth index (library’s safety against damages caused by biological factors), the two groups were similar to a high extent and no significant difference existed between them. There were significant differences for the fifth index (library’s safety against theft and harming the resources) in four criteria, for the sixth index (employees’ safety) in two criteria, and for the seventh index (safety against damages caused by physical and chemical factors) in seven criteria, such that libraries affiliated with MOCA were evaluated to be better concerning their safety against theft and harm, employees’ safety, and resource’ safety against damages caused by heat, moisture and light. For the seventh index, there was significant difference in one criterion which was observed in public libraries supervised by IPLF. In total, libraries of the both groups had no appropriate status with regard to observing safety indices.
Originality/Value: The new comparative approach made for safety issues of public libraries makes this paper valuable as it exhibits the weaknesses and strengths to inform programmers and officials, and provides some strategies to improve safety conditions of libraries.
 

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Purpose: The aim of the present research is to study the impact of Semnan Municipality phone library resources on the development of children' and young adults' reading, which is a new approach in the country
Method: An experimental method including a pretest group and a post test group was selected as the research method. Two questionnaires were used for data collection. The pretest included seven and the post test three questions. The population included 69 new library members in August 2010.
Findings: Based on the results by analyzing responses in the pretest,
34 (49.3%) respondents selected the choice “too much” to show their interest. Compared with the respondents in the pretest, 41 (59.4%) of the post test respondents showed more interest, and it indicated an upward trend. In both pretest and posttest groups, regarding daily reading (24 hours), one of the options was reading from 60 to 129 minutes, which was selected by 11 (15.9%) in the pretest in contrast to 21 (30.45%) in the posttest group. It indicated that the phone library has increased the members' reading rate and, thus, the research hypothesis which was based upon the positive role of phone library in increasing children' and young adults' reading, is confirmed. A significant difference was observed between the responses in the pretest and the posttest.   
Originality/Value: This is the first research with regard to phone library in Iran and its results can help officials of the public libraries foundation, municipality cultural and art organizations and institutes for the intellectual development of children and young adults to use the experience. This experience can be used and disseminated throughout the country for promoting reading culture among children and young adults.
 

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Purpose: This study aims to determine the status of the librarians' general and specialized reading at Mashhad public libraries and identify the factors which impact it.
Method: A descriptive analytical method was used as the research method.
A researcher-made questionnaire was selected as the tool for data collection.
Findings: According to the librarians, the average time they spend a day on general and specialized reading is respectively 47.77 and 29.08 minutes.
The findings showed that the librarians' interest in general reading is higher than an intermediate level while their specialized reading is lower than an average level. Increasing general information, learning to enjoy by reading, and responding to the library clients have been the most important reasons reported by the librarians for their general reading. However, the most important reasons for their specialized reading have emerged to be increasing their ability to respond to the clients, being up-to-date and active participation in scientific communities. Tiredness resulting from daily work, ineffectiveness of reading in job evaluation, and administrative rules have been the major obstacles reported by the librarians for specialized reading. Findings also indicated a significant negative correlation between
the librarians' age and their general and specialized reading.
Originality/Value: This study has documented the reading status of librarians of Mashhad public libraries and identified some existing challenges and problems. In case they are solved and systematic plans are adopted by managers, qualified librarians and information consultants may be trained for public libraries
 

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Purpose: The objective of this research is to identify and prioritize barriers and problems young adults face using services of public libraries in Semnan.
Method: This applied study is descriptive. This research focuses on the youth generation between the age of 17 and 40 in Semnan. Simple Random Sampling is used. 450 questionnaires were distributed  of which 389 were returned and used. In addition to descriptive statistics AHP technique was used to prioritize barriers.
Findings: The most important obstacle was “lack of enough books for young people “ the other factors such as : “ failing to update  references materials” , “lack of motivation and time to study “and “ lack of proper physical condition of libraries” were in the other orders respectively.
Originality/value: The results of this research can help libraries in removing barriers and creating favorable conditions to attract the youth to libraries.
 

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Purpose: This article presents results from a survey on the user interface environment of Persian journals databases from the viewpoints of Iranian public librarians.
Methodology: Adopting a survey approach, this study examines the views and experience of public librarians about  about the user interface environment of Persian journals databases, taking into account five dimensions and 58 criteria.
Findings: Findings reveal that the user interface environment of Persian journal databases with numerical mean equal to 180.8 was at the satisfactory level. It appeared that the dimensions of public information (mean:43.9), searching (mean: 81.3), retrieval (mean: 33.1), were at satisfactory level, and demonstration (mean: 16.2), user- friendliness (mean: 7.13) were at unsatisfactory level. In addition, the findings showed that
Originality/Value: Illuminating the strengths and weaknesses of the  user interface environment of Persian journals databases, this study help journal database producers designing better interface environments for users. Ithelps institutions selecting the databases that best meet the needs of their patrons. It also helps users experiencing easy and fast access to their required information via a better user interface.
 

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Purpose: The main purpose of this study is to examine the ways, resources, and objectives of obtaining health related information by members of four Qazvin public libraries (affiliated with the Public Libraries Foundation) in December 2011. For the purpose of data analysis, descriptive statistics were used.
Findings: Almost all members of Qazvin public libraries have experienced the need for health related information in their daily lives. Most commonly, this is obtained through passive means.  Watching TV was the most popular method of obtaining health information, and was ranked in first place. Where internet research was concerned, search engines were the most popular method. Prevention was found to be the key motivation for individuals seeking health information.
Originality/value: This study is valuable given the emergence of new era of health information within the public libraries of Iran, and the emphasis placed by the Iran Ministry of Health and Medical Education and in particular, the clinical governance program on the collaboration of community and patients in making decisions based on their health related issues. This study is valuable for public libraries particularly in terms of developing a policy for offering health information services. It illustrates the inclinations, and needs of the libraries' members, and shows the channels and types of resources being used.

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Purpose: This article aims to investigate library users' satisfaction in the areas of resources, building and equipment, librarians and services within the public libraries of Yazd city.
Methodology: This is a Survey research project that uses a researcher- made questionnaire. Data was collected by a supervised and paper-based questionnaire. The research population includes active users of public libraries in Yazd city (more than 1000 users). The sample size is calculated using the Koukran formula and a total of 226 questionnaires were released.
Findings: Public libraries have satisfied users to an average degree which is promising. Librarians achieved the highest level of user satisfaction as a result of their own knowledge and behavior. Moreover, the lowest level of user satisfaction of public libraries was related to the lack of space for group study, inadequate library environments, insufficient welfare facilities, etc.
Originality/Value: The authors found no evidence that any research into evaluation of users’ satisfaction of public libraries in Yazd had already been conducted. Moreover, most of the research studies to date on the evaluation of public libraries have been conducted based on LibQual.
 

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Purpose: As the world rapidly moves into the new era of information and wisdom, the needs of human beings to use books and libraries continue to grow. With this in mind, in addition to increasing public library services, it's important for planners to distribute library facilities equitably across the country. In this paper we will study the distribution of public libraries in the Provinces of Iran to find out whether they are distributed equitably and the services in which some provinces rate lower than others in relation to country averages. Methodology: The level of analysis is provincial; hence the data are collected from the provinces and include the number of public libraries, the number of books, the number of study places for individual people, the number of library clients and the number of library members. Inequalities in provinces are analyzed using the Lorenz Curve and the Gini Coefficient and the Location Quotient (L.Q) is calculated for comparing and sorting the provinces.
Findings: The results show that the distribution of public library services in Iranian provinces is relatively equitable. The Gini Coefficient is between 0.065 to 0.191that are close to zero. A Gini Coefficient of zero expresses perfect equality, whilst a Gini Coefficient of 1 expresses maximal inequality. Thus, the Lorenz Curves are near a straight diagonal line which demonstrates that public library services are distributed relatively equitably. In 10 provinces the L.Q is lower than the average figure, and 20 provinces have a figure greater than average. Sistan Va Baloochestan province has the lowest figure of L.Q, while Yazd province has the highest.
Originality/value: In recent decades, development planners have focused more attention on equal access to living facilities and especially equal access to cultural services, because they found that inequalities may cause to serious problems. Any of the 5 I.R.I development plans pay attention to spatial and social justice, too.
 

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Purpose: The study aims to enhance the design of public libraries, both quantitatively and qualitatively, in Tehran.
Methodology: This is a practical research study which uses both qualitative and quantitative methods. The data was collected through a semi-structured interview and a researcher-made questionnaire. The   research was conducted in the public libraries of Tehran during Ordibehesht and Khordad in 1391. Following the data collection, the interviews were transcribed and the qualitative content analysis was used for their analysis. The data obtained through the questionnaire was analyzed by applying statistical methods and SPSS.
Findings: The results indicate that librarians are not satisfied with the design of public libraries in Tehran. Although the librarians express their enthusiasm for participating in the design of the libraries, they are rarely called upon to do this and their suggestions for making the libraries more attractive and user-friendly are never valued. They suggested that the main obstacles to the effective design of libraries are the mother organization and the library facilities and equipment. The results also reveal that the satisfaction level of the library users with the various aspects of library design is, apart from a few cases of moderate satisfaction, mostly low. The users are rarely satisfied with features incorporated in the design.
Originality/ Value: The review of available literature on this subject indicates that no study has been conducted in the area of public library design and the satisfaction levels of both the librarians and users.
 

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Purpose: Clients are crucial factors in the  success of public libraries and each of them has different needs. So public libraries should know their clients and plan to meet their needs in order to ensure satisfaction.
Methodology: In this research a hybrid model based on clustering method which uses the Neural Network, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Kano model is used in order to segment public library clients and obtain the value of each segment to provide the services that will satisfy them. The statistical population of this research consists of all public library clients in the Fars province and a sample group of 180 is chosen via simple random sampling. The research tool is a questionnaire based on both the Kano model and the parameters of clients' satisfaction model.
Findings: After data gathering, the Self-Organizing Map (SOM) is chosen for segmenting or clustering clients with the highest quality and four clusters are identified for public library clients in Fars province using MATLAB. Then clusters are prioritized using the Analytical Hierarchy Process in the Expert Choice software package. This means that the cluster with the first priority includes clients who have attractive needs.Novel methods need to be employed to increase the satisfaction of these clients where the building and its location, human resources, material resources,  service conditions, the library's peripheral services, etc. Client needs in other clusters are similarly identified, and suggestions for improvement in services are proposed.
Originality/value: In this study through segmenting public library clients based on their needs a model was designed which helps public libraries to best serve the community by clustering clients, prioritizing these clusters and determining the needs of the clients in each cluster.
 

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Purpose: This Research aims at the survey of the impact of spiritual leadership variables of on empowerment variables in the case of public librarians in Khuzestan province.

Methodology: This study has descriptive and correlative levels that use correlation coefficient measures. The population of the study includes 230 public librarians of Iran Public Libraries Foundation (IPLF) in Khuzestan province. By means of Krejcie-Morgan Sampling Measure (1970), 150 public librarians determined to fill research questionnaire. In order to analyze the gathered data, SPSS software was used and Kolmogorov-Smirnov, multiple linear regression, t-one sample test and Friedman test were used for inferential data analysis.

Findings: Descriptive measures of this research indicated that factors of Spiritual leadership and empowerment of public librarians in Khuzestan province was in good condition. Friedman test showed that among the factors affecting empowerment, “vision” factor has the most and “membership” factor has the least impact on empowerment factors. Regression analysis p_value coefficient measure was significant and variables of “Faith to work” and “significance in work” are significant at the 95 percent level and these factors predict 67 percent of changes in empowerment factors.

Originality/Value: Value of this research was in the indication of significant factors namely “faith to work” and “significance in work” as important factors of empowerment of public librarians that human resource managers can focus on these factors for better empowerment programs. 

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Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between Cultural Intelligence and its components with librarians' job performance in the public libraries of Khuzestan.   

Methodology: This study is a descriptive correctional research that applied with survey method. The population is consisted of the whole librarians employing in the public libraries of Khuzestan (S=230), from which, by using the Krejcie & Morgan table, a 145 people sample were selected through stratified random sampling method. To measure the cultural intelligence and job performance, the questionnaires of Van Dyne and Ang (2004), and Farajpahlou and et al (1391) were used respectively. In order to test the research hypotheses, multiple regression and Pearson correlation coefficients were used.

Findings: The results showed that between cultural intelligence (by cognitive and metacognitive) and librarians' job performance in the public libraries of Khuzestan, there is a significant positive relationship. Also the components of cultural intelligence (cognitive, metacognitive, motivational and behavioral) cognitive, metacognitive and motivational cultural intelligence have a significant positive relationship with job Performance of librarians.

Originality/Value: On the basis of this research, we can approvingly said that for create any increase in the job performance of public librarians, directors must invoke the cultural intelligence of them as an important priority.

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Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the information needs of education office retirees of Bojnourd city as introduction to design outreach library services to them.
Methodology: This survey is an applied research. The statistical population consisted of all retirees in Education Department of Bojnourd city until 2013. Estimated sample size was 130 and cluster sampling was adopted. Data were collected through a researcher made questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 19 statements for assessing four group information needs, including individual needs, educational, cultural-social needs, political and religious needs. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).
Findings: Among the four group information needs, the priority of the retirees' needs was as follows, respectively: individual needs, cultural-social needs, political needs, and educational and religious needs. The retirees met their information needs from television mostly. A small percent of retirees (26/9%) was member of a public library and majority of them (76/9%) had not used public library services. The retirees were using public library rarely. Distance from the library was the major reason for not using the library. Borrowing books was the main reason for using the library. Familiarity of the retirees with public library and its services was lower than the average (2/64%), and necessity of public library services was more than averages (4/20%) from the retirees' perspective.
Originality/value: The findings of this study can help authorities to meet the information needs of a special group, retirees. Since this study makes the identification of the information needs of retirees, public libraries are able to make decisions to overcome the potential shortcomings, define proper collection development policies, and improve channels of access to information.