Assessment of Service Quality at Central Library of Management and Planning Organization (MPO), Iran

This study examines the quality of services at Iran’s Central Library of Management and Planning Organization (MPO) from the viewpoint of itsusers. The research was conducted in two phases: First, the library and its services were compared to the Standards for Special Libraries published bythe National Library of Iran (NLI). The library was found to meet most of the standards. Second, the quality of service provided by the library atexpected and observed levels was examined from the viewpoint of organizational and non-organizational members using a modified version ofthe SERVQUAL questionnaire. Findings showed a significant was difference between two (expected and observed) levels, meaning that users’expectations have not been met. The most significant difference related to “appropriate collection of information resources”. The results also showedthere was no significant difference between organizational and non-organizational users’ opinions about the quality of services. Findingsalso showed that “relevant information services” was the priority of user groups-users emphasized the need for timely and accurate information.There was a correlation between the rate at which the library conformed to the national standards and users’ expectations of quality

A Study on the Feasibility of Subject Authority Control of Web-based Persian Medical Databases: An Iranian Experience

One of the most important factors challenging the issue of "information storage and retrieval" in the Internet environment is the lack of control on authorities, i.e. subject authority control. The present research aims at examining the feasibility of subject authority control of Persian medical databases available on the Net. Based on research methodology, we have randomly chosen 50 keywords utilized by users searching databases for articles. In the pre-test stage, these keywords were searched through Iranmedex, a database for Persian medical articles. Comparing them with Persian medical thesaurus, those keywords exactly matched to the thesaurus words were entered in a designed database using Microsoft Access software. Then, we entered these authorized keywords in Iranmedex. Findings of new search sessions revealed that control of authorities on the one hand, makes information retrieval more precise and accurate and, on the other prevents false drops. The research findings can be used for modifying the process of information storage and retrieval on the Internet. The research concludes with a model for applying thesauruses as authority control tools for other databases available at Internet

An Examination of the Role of the University Libraries and Librarians in the Digital Age

University libraries are shifting from custodial to an access role in a rapidly evolving networked society. Within the campus, it is the library which seeks open access to all types of information and encourages free intellectual inquiry. If the library is to make its claim as the "heart of the university" a reality, it is critical for librarians to obtain the needed skills in the provision and promotion of information services to meet the research, teaching and learning needs of the university. The paper will examine a number of ways in which the rapid growth of the Internet, as well as the emergence of new information technologies, impact the university library's mission statement and goals. The paper concludes that the new environment requires a new technical set of competencies for librarians which were not previously required