Using Mobile-Based Social Networks by Iranian Libraries: The Case of Telegram Messenger

The purpose the present research was to examine the use of Telegram Messenger as a mobile-based social network in Iranian academic libraries. Data were collected from March 2016 to May 2016. Telegram channels of different libraries were identified through the websites of the National Library of Iran and individual academic libraries. quantitative analyses were carried out on the data. Researchers joined these channels to examine their content. Descriptive statistics was used for data analysis. The results showed that files, news and information, book introductions, and literary quotes were the main materials shared on these channels. Most posts contained images. The central library of Sharif University of Technology used hashtags for most of its posts. Moreover, libraries with more activities and programs shared more book introductions and reports. University libraries shared more technical materials such as research methodology, essay writing, and database information. However, posts from other libraries were mostly non-technical. Mobile-based services have had a significant influence on academic libraries around the world. The findings have enabled us to better understand impact of using mobile-based services in Iranian libraries

Evaluation and Ranking of Iranian LIS (Library and Information Science) Weblogs

Aim of this applied research was to extract evaluation criteria of Iranian LIS (Library and Information Science) weblogs. Current research using analytical-survey method and in some stages Webometrics methods evaluated 107 sample weblogs. These weblogs were selected from 222 weblogs that had been submitted in directory of ILIS weblogs. This research made a checklist using literature review, expert's attitude and evaluation criteria of websites. This checklist was used for evaluation sample weblogs after standardizing. Finally a checklist was prepared that included 23 factors for evaluation and ranking of ILIS weblogs.. Finally, current research has suggested that this checklist can be used for judgment in carnivals of chosing top weblogs

A survey of collaboration rate among of Iranian LIS students in producing scientific articles for annual student conference of AlZahra University (2000-2006)

Collaboration in research and production of scientific publications is common in all academic areas. This collaboration among researchers results in the development of scientific knowledge and hence the attainment of wider information. The significance of collaboration in the production of scientific publications in today's complex world where technology is everything is very apparent. Scientists from many nations have realized that in order to get their work wildly used and cited to by experts, they must collaborate. This research aims to survey the rate of collaboration among Iranian LIS students on the production of scientific articles for the annual student conference of Al-Zahra University and assess their contribution to domestic scientific production in the field of Library and Information Sciences. It is through the efforts of the Al-zahra library and information science students accosiation and their lecturers , that this annual conference happens every year and has been able to bring together lecturers, librarians and LIS students in order to debate the latest information in the aforementioned field since its establishment in 2000 for seven consecutive years. As this is a student conference and most of the LIS students of all levels submit papers to this conference. The aim of the present article is to survey the rate of collaboration among contributors which in turn should clarify the contribution of Iranian LIS students in the production of these articles. To that end submitted articles and thematic inclinations of each conference has been examined. Research results indicated that in the seven conferences held 63 articles were present in speech form, of the 91 authors collaborating in the production of these articles, 51 were female and the rest i.e. 37 were male. The most number of articles, 15 on the subject of Iranian University Libraries in the form of a speech were presented in 2003. The least number were submitted in 2000 and 2004 where a total of 7 in the form of speech on the subject of the education of Library and Information sciences and its difficulties were submitted. Of the 63 articles 42 were presented individually while the other 21 were as a result of collaboration where 15 were the result of the collaboration of 2 authors and the other 6 the work of 3 authors. The most number of collaborative articles were submitted in 2005 and 2006 with 6 and the least number was presented in 2001 and 2003 where nothing was presented. The results of this research indicated that The LIS students of ALZahra University with 18 articles took first place while The Chamran University of Ahvaz with 8 was second and Shiraz University with 5 came third

Podcasts and Videocasts management: A case study of Special Library of International Instititute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES) in Iran

Special libraries and information centers in the age of information technology try to produce, collect and submit special knowledge for their users. Hence, they are considered as pioneer as well as developing organizations which make use of new information technologies to provide their users with more special and better information services. Two of the most common and newest consequences of Web 2.0 used for publishing online information are podcasting and screencasting. Most of librarians suppose that podcasts serve as information services in the Web 2.0 collection. However, this article aims to introduce the role that podcasts play in identification of special libraries services, discuss their role as new electronic information resources, and deal with features and advantages of podcasting in special libraries and information centers. Current research, as a case study, suggests that special library of International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES) can select and collect podcasts that are about Earth Science, Earthquake Engineering and Seismology for students and researchers. Due to applications and capabilities podcasts offer, a website for special library of IIEES can be designed so that users of the library can freely access podcasts and videocasts related to they major. Podcasts and videocasts can be categorized for users of this library, so they can click on their needed files and download their needed audio & visual files or save them in their cellphone, Ipod, note book, mp3 player and so on. Also downloaded podcasts and videocasts would be useful for e-learning. On the other hand, Because IIEES is an international institute, by this services, foreign students can easily use information resources such as audio & visual files of speeches, conferences, thesis defense meetings and so on. Finally, this research suggests to the other special libraries in Iran that they can use podcasting and videocasting services to provide their information services better and faster for their users