Improving Access to Service Desks at the National Library: a Field Study

Document Type : Research ŮŽ Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor & Head of Special Services Department, National Library and Archives of Iran

2 PhD of Knowledge and Information Science, National Library and Archives of Iran,

3 PhD Candidate of Knowledge and Information Science; Deputy of Provision and Protection Manager, National Library and Archives of Iran

Abstract

Purpose: To provide suggestions to facilitate access to service desks in the National Library of Iran.
Methodology: Data were obtained through observation and group decision making. First, guide signs and the current status of service desks availability were examined. Then, some meetings with 21 librarians working in the library's service desks and 29 members (in two groups), were held. The ideas were evaluated with the criteria of being executable and operational.
Findings: The session analysis yielded 241 statements in 11 categories. Concepts like guide signs (with a frequency of 38), need for librarian assistance in using facilities (35), and education (30) get the most attention.
Conclusion: In many cases, with minor changes in location, name and arrangement of service desks can increase the effectiveness of the desks for users.

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References

O'Neill, K. L., & Guilfoyle, B. A. (2015). Sign, Sign, everywhere a sign: What does “Reference” mean to academic library users? The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 41 (4), 386-393.
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History

  • Receive Date: 30 June 2019
  • Revise Date: 02 December 2019
  • Accept Date: 02 December 2019

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