International Journal of Information Science and Management (IJISM)

Establishing Information Consulting Services in Public Libraries

Document Type : Articles

Authors

Hosein Moradimoghadam
Rouhallah Khademi

Assistant professor, Department of Knowledge and Information Science, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22034/ijism.2023.1977859.0
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the opinions of the librarians of Semnan public libraries on information consulting and examine the feasibility and requirements of setting up information consulting services (ICSs) in public libraries, which has become even more important during the coronavirus pandemic. The present study adopted a survey method using the interview technique. The research population included all librarians of Semnan public libraries. The findings showed that more than 75% of the librarians of Semnan public libraries were willing to set up the ICSs in the public library. Librarians of Semnan public libraries believed that specialized human resources hardware and software facilities and funding are required to set up the ICSs in public libraries. knowledge and skills, personality traits, and communication and public relations techniques are mentioned as the characteristics of information consultants. According to the librarians, the ICSs increase the users of libraries, improve library services, provide job satisfaction for librarians, and increase income for the library. They considered these factors as the top benefits of setting up information consulting. Given the willingness of young librarians with less experience, who are educated in Library and Information Science (LIS), to set up the ICSs in Semnan public libraries, they have the potential to provide ICSs in libraries by setting up an information consulting desk. Training of these librarians can provide the necessary basis for setting up the ICSs and information consulting clinics, promoting the position of the LIS field in the community, and leading to the employment market for graduates of LIS. This is the first study on public libraries in Iran. The importance of the subject can be a prelude to launching information consulting services in Iranian public libraries during the coronavirus.

Keywords

Information counseling
Public libraries
Semnan province
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International Journal of Information Science and Management (IJISM)
Volume 21, Issue 3
Summer 2023
Pages 131-144

  • Receive Date 05 June 2022
  • Revise Date 01 July 2023
  • Accept Date 24 May 2023

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