Journal of Studies in Library and Information Science
Year:2009 | Volume:1-16 | Issue:4|Papers Count:7

The present study aimed at evaluation and comparison of electronic services in Yazd University in views of library users. The research population was all enrolled students as well as all librarians of Yazd University. The quality of library services was measured in two lines: "available" and "expected". Also, due to abnormal/skewed distribution of data, the research hypotheses were analyzed using non-parametric statistical methods, such as Mann-Witney Test, Wilcoxon Test, as well as Friedmann and Croscal- Wallis tests. The results of the study revealed that: 1. Yazd University libraries haven't been able to meet users' expectations in any aspect of library services; 2. The quality of services as asserted by librarians cannot fulfill students' expectations; 3. Users' judgment about quality of electronic services wa lower than that of librarians. 4. Librarians are able to perceive the users' needs and expectations; 5. In students' views "quality of information" and in librarian's views, "Service Provision" were the most effective factors in raising the quality of electronic library services in Yazd University; and, 6. There is no significant difference in the attitudes of the research population regarding the quality of e-library services.

The present study aims at comparing the reading interests of Ahwaz guidance school students with the subject distribution of suitable books for age group D (guidance school) in Ahwaz during the period 1375-1385. To conduct this descriptive research, library research methodology was employed. In order to gain the subject reading interests of Ahwaz guidance school students, Baji's thesis was consulted; library methodology was used however to gather data on suitable books. The first sample included suitable books for age group D available in the Central Library of the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults in Ahwaz during the period 1375-1385. The frequency of suitable books in various subjects was counted using subject divisions employed in Baji's thesis. The results obtained from students' views and their trends concerning various subjects were compared with subject distribution of books available for age group D. The results indicated that there was no balance within the group D's subject trends and the frequency of books available for them. This problem was observed to be more frequent in topics such as old literature, fantasy, poems, social sciences, realistic novels, religion, natural sciences, biographies, art and entertainment, and reference books.

Children should be taught how to criticize and think philosophically before they are expected to see and hear critically and choose the correct path of their living. Philosophical thinking equips children with techniques of critical and logical thinking. This way of thinking considers whys, inter-relations of concepts, principles and criteria. It helps to decentralize and reduce faults. However, for living a fortunate life, philosophical thinking is not enough, it also requires facing realities of life with incite and honesty and true-heartedness. Wisdom can help the growth of these qualities in people which should be taught in child age. Story books are known as collections of knowledge and experience, and as appropriate tools for such education. However, most parents and education authorities are seemingly not aware of such properties of story books. The present study aimed at identification of such stories, specifying and introducing their philosophical elements using a content analysis method. For the purpose of this research, story books appropriate for elementary school age were identified and selected from all those published during the period 1991 through 2006. Philosophical thinking indicators, ie, conceptualization, reasoning, judgment, and wisdom were traced and identified in the selected books. Also, books that considered education of philosophical thinking were identified and categorized according to different traits in philosophical thinking. In addition, those stories that promoted wisdom and those encouraged decentralization were identified. Results of the study revealed that about 20% of the books under study included the indicators of philosophical thinking. On this basis some suggestions are presented for improvement of the area.

The aim of the present study is to investigate into and map the structure of the scientific publications of the academic staff of the Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran as presented in the was during the years 1992-2008. The required data were derived in Jan. 2008 applying the histCite TM software. Among 53215 records about/related to Iran available in SCI, Razi University- ranks 18th in Iranian Universities and Research Institutions. Among MSRT institutions, Razi University ranks 13. However, this university ranks 8 when it comes to consider the number of academic staff against the number of their publications. Results of the study show a considerable growth in the scientific productions of the academic staff of Razi University with an annual growth rate of 36.9%. Mojtaba Shamsipour of this university ranked first among Iranian authors, with 471 recorded works. Also, according to the results of the study, Razi university researchers and authors demonstrated a high level of collaboration, the Collaboration Coefficient (CC) being 0.637. Also, distribution of the articles follows Lutka's Law. The researchers also mapped and analyzed the history of science in Razi University by using HistCite.

The present study aimed at investigation of the opinions of the high school 3rd Year Students in Shahre Kord City, Iran, regarding the role of public libraries in their academic success. Survey method was adopted for this study and a survey questionnaire was devised and used to collect the required data. The research population consisted of all the 3rd grade students of Shahre Kord, of which 400 students were selected randomly as the research sample. Frequency tables and percentiles as well as T-test, ANOvA and Tuki test were used as means of data analysis. Results of the survey revealed that in views of the target students, the impact of physical conditions, human resources, psychological atmosphere, available information sources, and, public library rules proved to be, more than average in the students' academic success.

Books and other kinds of reading materials have a great role in transferring knowledge from one generation to another. Reading these works and thinking about them is an obligation of the members of each society. However, it seems that non-academic reading has a very low rate in our communities, especially among university students. The aim of the present article is to study the present state of non-academic reading among undergraduate students of the Azarbaijan University of Tarbiat Moallem, as well as presenting solutions for overcoming relevant obstacles. The research population consisted of 260 students which were divided equally in two groups of male and female. The required data was collected by means of a questionnaire which was devised for the purpose of this study. Results of the study revealed that a) there was a significant difference among male and female students in terms of their non-academic reading, in favor of male students who showed a higher level of reading. The mean reading time per day was calculated 30 minutes; b) there was no significant difference among students with different branches of study in terms of non-academic reading; c) there was a significant correlation between non-academic readings of the students with their family income, academic background and level of the study of their parents; d) there is a significant correlation between membership status of students to libraries and their non-academic level of readings; e) in views of the undergraduate students of the AUTM, obstacles to reading non-academic materials are: the high volume of class assignments (36.5%), lack of incentives (29.6%), high prices of books (19.2%), lack of suitable books in the market (8.8%), shortage in the number of libraries (in the society) (3.5%), and, geographical distance from libraries (2.4%).

The aim of the present study is to study and determine the degree of information literacy of the senior undergraduate students of Dezfoul branch of Payam-e Noor University in different disciplines. For this purpose, a sample of 306 individuals was selected in the 10 available disciplines. A questionnaire devised on the basis of IL standards consisting of 60 items was distributed in the sample population. The collected data was analyzed by means of some descriptive methods of statistics such as frequency tables and calculation of Mean, and some analytical methods such as Chi-square. As a result of the study both hypotheses of the study were approved. Results of the study also revealed that the Information Literacy of the target students is fairly low. It was also clear that there was a significant difference between the level of IL in the students of different branches of study.