The Relationship between Personality Traits, Self-efficacy and Creativity of Academic Librarians: A Case Study of Librarians of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Identifying the human resources' personality traits as the most predominant factor in achieving organizational goals and their impact on their creativity and self-efficacy is essential to improve the quality and quantity of an organization's performance. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between personality traits and self-efficacy and librarians' creativity at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences libraries. Methods: In this descriptive correlational study, the statistical population included all librarians of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (N=50). The study instruments consisted of three questionnaires of the NEO Personality Inventory, Sherer's general Self-efficacy Scale, and Raudsepp’s creativity scale. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to test the correlation between personality traits with self-efficacy and creativity. Results: The findings revealed a significant relationship between librarians' creativity and extraversion, openness to experience, and agreeableness. Besides, there was a significant relationship between personality traits of neuroticism and extraversion with librarians’ self-efficacy (P <0.01). Conclusion: As the impact of personality dimensions on the self-efficacy and the creativity of the librarians, decision-makers and planners should pay particular attention to the personality components of librarians. Creativity and self-efficacy among librarians and other staff can be nurtured by conducting behavioral counseling courses to see greater efficiency and productivity in the organization environment

Study disaster preparedness of libraries in Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Iran (2017)

Background: Iran is an emergency state, and natural disaster such as; flood, earthquake or volcano may be occur any time. Therefore, libraries should be prepared for these incidents. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the disaster preparedness of libraries in Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Methods: This applied research with analytical survey method was conducted in the libraries of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Iran in 2017. The study tool was a researcher-made questionnaire that included 5 sections and 57 questions in three dimensions; building, management and staff in evaluating the preparedness of the libraries against unexpected incidents. Validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by librarian and statistics and its reliability was 0.85 based on Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Findings: Preparedness of the libraries of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences against flood, earthquake, fire, storm and thunder was 25%, 20%, 14%, 8% and 5%. The percentage of the libraries preparedness against all disasters were 14.4%, indicating a poor librarian’s readiness. Conclusion: The results showed that university’s readiness was weak in unexpected events and should provide a plan for natural disasters effectively. Keywords: Disasters, Libraries, Earthquakes, Floods, Fire

Investigating Effects of Essential Components of Knowledge Management in Improving Information Services in Medical Sciences Libraries in Iran

Introduction: Knowledge is considered the most critical resource in the global economic environment, and knowledge management is considered a service lever in libraries. The current study aims to investigate the effects of knowledge management components, including information technology, culture, and organizational strategies, in improving information services in medical sciences libraries in Iran. Methods: This survey is conducted with a statistical population of 630 in the year 2021. The statistical population was selected from the managers of the central and affiliated libraries of the universities of medical sciences in Iran. The sample size was determined to be 373 people using Cochran's sample size formula. Besides, sampling was done using simple random. The research tool was a consolidated questionnaire that included two standard questionnaires: the Asian Productivity Organization and the LibQual questionnaire. Data analysis was done through descriptive and inferential statistics using Amos software. Results: The results revealed that knowledge management technology had the strongest correlation with the quality of information services, with a beta coefficient of 0.26. The organizational culture variable, with a beta value of 0.23, was in second place, and the strategy variable was in third place, with a beta value of 0.22. Conclusion: Among knowledge management components, information technology, organizational culture, and organizational strategies impact the promotion and optimization of library information services, respectively. Therefore, to provide the best information services, library managers should pay special attention to promoting information technology in libraries. Then, to improve the organizational culture, they should enhance the processes and structural strategies