Evaluating the quality of health information services in public libraries: an experience from Iran

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Valadi-khorram ◽  
Mohammad Reza Amiri ◽  
Mohammad Karim Saberi
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Information Service ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Average Level ◽  
Information Control ◽  
Educational Service ◽  
Content Type

PurposeConsidering the important role of public libraries in providing health information service as well as user feedback in improving the quality of health information services, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of health information service in public libraries of Hamadan, Iran, on the basis of the modified LibQUAL modelDesign/methodology/approachThis practical research was conducted in an analytic-survey method. The statistical population consists of all members of public libraries of Hamadan over 18 years old (12,237 people), and the sample size is calculated to be 373 people. The stratified sampling method was used, and within each class, a convenience sampling method was used. The modified LibQUAL questionnaire was used to gather data. For checking normality of data distribution, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test and for analyzing date, descriptive statistics and also Chi-square and Wilcoxon tests were applied using SPSS 25.FindingsThe users' minimum level of public libraries in all three dimensions is an average level. The users' desired level of “information control” is higher than other dimensions. The users' perceived level in dimensions of “human resources” and “information control” is high level, while users' perceived level in “educational service” is an “average” level. There is a superiority gap between desired and perceived level in all dimensions, but the adequacy gap was seen only in the dimension of “educational service.”Research limitations/implicationsIn this study, the quality of health information services provided in public libraries is evaluated by the LibQUAL model.Practical implicationsThe results of this research can help managers and librarians of public libraries in measuring the quality of health information services and improving the quality of services provided by libraries. Besides, they can take a more accurate planning and pathologic approach, to eliminate the gap between minimum and desired expectations of users and libraries’ real services.Originality/valueIn this study, the quality of health information services provided in public libraries is evaluated by LibQUAL tool.

An analysis of university students' health information service needs from academic library in the post-COVID-19 age through Kano model

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Meng ◽  
Li Dong ◽  
Rui Guan ◽  
Yan Zhang
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Information Service ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Service Needs ◽  
Kano Model ◽  
Statistical Tool ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The University

PurposeThe study aims to find out the university students' health information service needs in post-COVID-19 age and then consider how to do the health information services well and promote it in further work.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses Kano model to design a questionnaire about university students' health information service needs from academic library and investigates 243 students from seven universities in China. The data generated were analyzed using a statistical tool and presented in tables.FindingsThe results show the students' different requirements level of health information services from academic library as must-be requirements, one-dimensional requirements, attractive quality attributes and indifferent quality in post-COVID-19 age.Research limitations/implicationsThe questionnaire design and the scale of respondents have limitation, such as only focus on Chinese university, have not characteristically research on different group of students. It could optimize to cover more worldwide university students and refer to different groups of students' needs in further research.Originality/valueThe paper expands and deepens the theory about university library health information service and provides a practical reference and proposes some suggestions for academic libraries on how to carry out health information services and give the social health institutions inspiration on how to promote the health services, especially in post-COVID-19 age.

Copyright and information service provision in public university libraries in Kenya

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 375-388
Author(s):  
Salome W. Mathangani ◽  
Japheth Otike
Keyword(s):  
Organization Theory ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Information Service ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Public University ◽  
Copyright Law ◽  
Information Services ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
General Direction ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Copyright law supposedly brings a balance between copyright owners and information users as a way of creating a harmonious relationship. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between Kenya’s Copyright Act and the provision of information services in public university libraries in Kenya. Design/methodology/approach The study was informed by both the organization theory and the social systems theory which, respectively, provided a base for discussion on the library and its basic functions, and an interdisciplinary approach that accommodate library services and law. Data were collected from a sample of 77 librarians from public universities libraries, and analyzed using the qualitative method. Findings The study established that librarians were reasonably aware of the copyright Act. However, they were apprehensive and uncertain about copyright effect on the library. Evidence from the study showed that librarians needed to extend their knowledge and understanding of the copyright law for the effective provision of information services. The paper concludes that there is scope for librarians, using their wealth of knowledge and expertise, to make relevant and useful suggestions on copyright. Such contribution would assist in bringing harmony in the use of copyrighted materials. Originality/value These findings are original and will be useful in giving general direction on copyright. The study highlights the important issue of universities as parent institutions providing needed leadership in the copyright area.

Research on user needs for mobile information services in Chinese university libraries

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 617-635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Zhao ◽  
Shengli Deng ◽  
Ting Gao ◽  
Ruoxin Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Information Content ◽  
Mobile Services ◽  
Information Services ◽  
User Needs ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mobile Information ◽  
User Groups ◽  
Mobile Information Services

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the service demand of existing users and potential users for mobile information services provided by university libraries in China. The primary objective is to explore the impact of user experience on user needs, which is conducted by a comparison between two user groups over their needs from three aspects – service function, service mode and information content. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 353 library users from ten Chinese universities via questionnaires. Based on the user needs model, three dimensions of user needs were established for mobile information services and 26 measurement items were generated through a review of the literature. Furthermore, based on frequency analysis, independent samples t-test and the calculation of need rate, the demand differences in mobile information services between existing and potential users were explored. Findings Significant differences existed in the needs for service functions and service modes of mobile information services between existing users and potential users. Existing users cared more about such characteristics as intelligence, personalization and the variety of mobile services. Potential users, in contrast, concerned themselves more with the usability of mobile services and similarity to traditional information services. These two user groups showed little difference in the needs for information content, as they both have strict requirements for specialty, richness in and quality of information resources in mobile network environments. Originality/value Previous research on user needs for mobile libraries services has been primarily conducted from the perspectives of existing users. This study, however, compared the needs of existing and potential users based on their previous experiences, which can help libraries to know better what their users need and improve the quality of mobile information services to meet those needs. This can also make existing users more willing to use the services and cultivate the usage habits of potential users at the same time.

scholarly journals Consumer health information services in public libraries in Canada and the US

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Murray
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Consumer Health Information ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Consumer Health ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Us ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Health Information Resources

In response to a growing demand from the public for health information resources, North American public libraries have provided varying levels of consumer health information (CHI) services since the 1970s. Due to the availability of funding in the US, many American public libraries have provided CHI services, although the majority of these have been as partnerships with health sciences libraries or via the “Go Local” programs. In Canada, where no specific funding has been available for CHI services, few public libraries have set up CHI services; health information has generally been provided by augmenting health collections or “virtually,” i.e., by providing links to recommended electronic resources via the library’s Web site.

The role of libraries in the dissemination of health information in Botswana

2016 ◽  
Vol 65 (4/5) ◽  
pp. 320-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuelo Ntlotlang ◽  
Balulwami Grand
Keyword(s):  
Sample Size ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Acquisition ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Health Information Sources

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the role of public libraries in the dissemination of health information in the southern part of Botswana, namely, Kgatleng and Kweneng districts. It also explored how these libraries market health information services to the community they serve. The study also used health information acquisition model to get an understanding on how public library users seek health information. Design/methodology/approach The survey research design was chosen for the study and purposive sampling procedure was used to obtain the sample size of the population. The sample size consisted of 120 respondents and six interviewees. Data were collected from both library staff and users using questionnaires and interviews. Findings The results of the study showed that public libraries are striving to provide accurate and useful health information to members of the community by collecting and availing both print and electronic health information sources. The findings further indicated that public libraries have marketing programmes that they use on raising awareness of health information to their clientele. The marketing programmes include outreach, library brochures/leaflets, newsletters and library exhibitions. The results of the study also showed that there were some challenges that hindered the library users to access and use health information (e.g. lack of appropriateness of information resources and limited number of health information sources). Originality/value For a better dissemination of health information, public libraries should establish working relationships with health agencies and communication organisations or media houses with the objective of cooperative developments of collections, referrals and shared training.

scholarly journals Theoretical Basis for the Development of National Standard “Library and Information Services of the Scientific Library. Types, Forms and Modes of Provision”

2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 465-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana V. Maystrovich
Keyword(s):  
Information Service ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Information Services ◽  
National Standard ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Subject Field ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Scientific Libraries

    The article presents substantiation of the theoretical provisions underlying the National Standard GOST R 7.0.104—2019 “SIBID. Library and information services of the scientific library. Types, forms and modes of provision”. The author proves the expediency of applying cluster approach, allowed to consider the library and information service in terms of its content (type), form and modes of provision to users. The article demonstrates possibility of applying Standard not only to scientific libraries, but also to the libraries of other types. Definition of library and information service in the standard makes it possible to understand it as a specific result of library services and information activities of the library. The standard determines five types of services: library, bibliographic, information, bibliometric, consulting. Some of them are common to all types of libraries, but bibliometric services are specific feature of scientific libraries. Each type of services is implemented in one form or another, under which the standard refers to the method of providing library and information services in the framework of the existing scientific library organization of library and information services.Forms of library services: loan of a document for temporary use; transfer of its contents by copying; providing the possibility to familiarize with documents. Bibliographic services are implemented in the form of message containing reference or bibliographic advice on request, bibliographic list of publications and bibliographic products. Scientific libraries compose thematic or subject field indexes, lists of publications of individuals and collectives, lists with references to the works of specified persons and collectives. Bibliographic services include improving bibliographic literacy, training of users to create a bibliographic record, the formation of bibliographic apparatus of scientific and educational works. The recognized forms of information services are providing users with information products and full-text information, selected and systematized in accordance with the certain criteria. The prerogative of mainly academic and university libraries are bibliometric services, while the forms of their provision are quite diverse and depend on the degree of proximity of the scientific library directly to the research process and distribution of work in the structure of the research Institute. The standard establishes the following bibliometric services: providing user with formalized performance indicators of scientific work, creation of analytical product based on bibliometric and scientometric studies, checking of scientific works for incorrect borrowing. Consulting services are available in most libraries, but in scientific libraries there is added scientific advice on the design of scientific papers, normative, regulatory and administrative documents, presentation of results of individual research activities. The module includes not only the forms of services, but also the parameters specifying their provision: frequency, reason for rendering, targeting, economic characteristics, service location. Another contour of the module is the mode of providing and receiving services, which does not affect its essence, but may adjust its demand. Modes are characterized by the degree of independence of the user, synchronization of the order, execution and receipt of services, frequency of service, means and channel of communication. The article focuses on the service approach to library and information services. The intermediate version of the standard included the section “Service options” (on the ways to improve the comfort of obtaining library and information services by the user, based on his individual preferences), removed in the final version due to insufficient elaboration of the problem. In conclusion, the author notes that National Standard allows bring the service of scientists to their real needs and requests. As a perspective, the paper calls the development of Standard defining the mandatory range of services for libraries of each type and kind, as well as criteria for their qualitative assessment.

Measuring the librarians’ quality of working life in the Iranian public libraries

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamta Kazemi Koohbanani ◽  
Atefeh Zarei ◽  
Nasrolah Erfani
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Working Life ◽  
Social Relevance ◽  
Quality Of Working Life ◽  
Statistical Population ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Data Collection And Analysis ◽  
Total Life

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the librarians’ quality of working life (QWL) in the Iranian public libraries. Design/methodology/approach The present study is an applied research in terms of purpose and an analytical survey in terms of data collection and analysis method. The Walton standard questionnaire was used as the data collection tool. The statistical population of this research consists of librarians in the Iranian public libraries. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in order to analyze the data. Findings The findings showed that the dimensions of organizational social integration, constitutionalism in the organization and the capacity for human development are at a good level; the dimensions of the environment opportunity for continued growth and security and safe and healthy work are at a moderate level. Finally, the dimensions of fair and adequate payment, social relevance of work life and total life space are at a weak level are shown. Originality/value The findings of the confirmed hypothesis indicated that the librarians at the Iranian public libraries have a desirable (high) QWL.

scholarly journals Immersive information behaviour: using the documents of the future

2015 ◽  
Vol 116 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 112-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyn Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Service Provision ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Information Service ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Sensory Interaction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Information Behaviour ◽  
Selective Analysis

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the case for studies of information behaviour in the use of immersive documents. Immersive documents, where unreality is perceived as reality, arise from a combination of rapidly developing technologies and applications: pervasive and networked information, multi-sensory interaction and the creation of participatory texts. Design/methodology/approach – A critical and selective analysis of relevant literature is presented. Findings – Immersive documents are likely to have a significant effect on library/information service provision, as it is to expected that novel information behaviours will emerge as these documents become widely used. Studies of immersive information behaviour and practices will be valuable in planning for how library/information services can best provide access to such documents, and may also guide the development of such documents. They may also contribute to the development of information behaviour research generally, and to better interaction between research and practice. Research limitations/implications – As such documents are not yet in wide use, the conclusions are necessarily speculative. Originality/value – This is the first paper to discuss information behaviour in respect of immersive documents.

Identifying health information needs of senior online communities users: a text mining approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-24
Author(s):  
Yuxing Qian ◽  
Wenxuan Gui
Keyword(s):  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Traditional Chinese Medicine ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Online Communities ◽  
Western Medicine ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Medical Systems ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify the health information needs of senior online communities (SOCs) users, which could provide a basis for improving senior health information services.Design/methodology/approachA total of 14,933 health-related posts in the two most popular senior online communities (Yinling and Keai) in China are crawled as a corpus. Based on the results of word frequency analysis, text classification is performed based on two aspects: medical systems (Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine) and topics. The health information needs of SOCs users are revealed from the composition, growth trends and popularity of health information. Finally, some key points of senior health information services are discussed.FindingsThe health information needs of senior users can be divided into four types: coping with aging, dietary nutrition, physical exercise and mental health. These needs are comprehensive and involve a variety of health issues. Users are mainly concerned with physical health issues. In terms of medical systems, the number of Western medicine posts is relatively larger, whereas traditional Chinese medicine appears more in posts on coping with aging and physical exercise. The health information needs of SOCs users are in a stable status. Both the medical systems and topics could have an impact on the popularity of health information, but the number of posts is inconsistent with the level of popularity.Originality/valueThis study combines multiple perspectives to identify the health information needs of seniors in China with a comprehensive overview.

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