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Background and aim: A Library is a safe place to research and study for some students, but it creates anxiety for others. The main purpose of this research is to investigate the library anxiety among Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences(KUMS) residents in using information sources and electronic services based on five factors of Bostick scale. Materials and Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey. The sample size was 197 persons who were selected using simple random sampling. Data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity was confirmed by experts and its reliability was confirmed by Cronbachchr('39')s alpha coefficient of 0.809. The questionnaire consisted of 41 questions on a five-point Likert scale. The library anxiety questions were designed and localized based on the five factors of the Bostick scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, mean, standard deviation and analytical statistics by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Pearson correlation coefficient using SPSS 23 software. Results: The mean score of library anxiety was 78.32, the mean score of familiarity and usage was 32.08 and 29.54. Mechanical and emotional factors had the highest mean of library anxiety factors. Mean library anxiety was not significantly different between male and female residents(p>0.05). There was a significant relationship between residentschr('39') library anxiety and their skills in using information resources and e-services. Conclusion: The results indicate a level of library anxiety among the assistants. Accepting this fact can be a positive step in solving the problems associated with the use of information and electronic resources.

Introduction: One of the semantic tools for retrieving knowledge from complex resources is ontology. With the advent of semantic web technologies, mapping and designing ontologies, as a tool for organizing and representing knowledge has become necessary. The purpose of this article was developing congenital heart disease ontology, and introducing its construction stages. Methods: The present study was conducted using content analysis method. The statistical population of the study consisted of all specialized Persian and English information resources in the field of congenital heart diseases in digital library of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. The basis and the core of the methodology used to create congenital heart disease ontology was the methods introduced by Mohammadi-Ostani et al. and Bermejo methods. In total, nine steps are followed to build this ontology were as follows: 1. defining the scope and coverage of the subject, 2. identifying information sources (documents, books, and articles), 3. identifying terms and concepts, 4. identifying subject coverage and defining the domain and the main classes, 5. defining the hierarchy of terms and concepts, 6. defining the relationships between terms and concepts, 7. describing the characteristics of categories and the relationships between them, 8. defining the relationships among examples, and 9. establishing constraints, functions, and rules. In order to confirm the content validity, during the designing and editing of the ontology, the opinions of 7 pediatric cardiologists in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences were used at the third to sixth stages. The Protégé software was used to build ontology. Results: The congenital heart disease ontology included 6 main classes, 1. common congenital heart disease, 2. disease-related organs, 3. treatment methods, 4. diagnostic methods, 5. symptoms diseases, and 6. risk factor. Moreover, 8 main relationships were identified between concepts and terms as 1. diagnosed by, 2. feed, 3. treated by, 4. treated, 4. caused, 6. has complication, 7. is symptoms of, 8. is complication of have 2 sub-relationships is related with, has risk factor. Conclusion: This ontology can be a useful and efficient tool for organizing and retrieving knowledge in this field. The method of this research can also be applied to develop knowledge structure in other fields, too.

Purpose: This study intends to explore the personal knowledge management (PKM) skills and capabilities of staff of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz (PKM) based on Avery et al model (2001) in order to provide strategies for improving individual and organizational knowledge management performance in this university. Method: The present study is descriptive-analytical survey and qualitative and semi-structured interview methods have been used through interpretational data analysis. The research instrument was predesigned questionnaire based on Avery et al model. The statistical population includes 404 staffs of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz who are not faculty member and having Bachelor and Master of Arts and PhD degrees working in 7 different areas at university in 2017-2018. Based on Krejcie- Morgan Table, the sample size was determined as 196 subjects who were selected through random stratified sampling method in respect to each working area and 155 out of 196 questionnaires were returned back. Findings: Quantitative data analysis showed that mean PKM is 3.64 which is evaluated as desired concerning Likert scale scoring; however, the results of interview indicated that staffs are confused in data analysis, data and knowledge sharing and dissemination and are not well able to express such concepts.

Introduction: One problem in conducting scientometric thematic analysis is selecting which of the bibliographic fields containing the topics can be analyzed. This study aimed to compare subject fields of documents to determine the field or a combination of fields which are suitable for conducting a complete and proper thematic analysis in scientometrics. Methods: This was a descriptive research with content analysis approach. Scientific products in the field of functional gastrointestinal disorders were extracted from the Scopus database. The analysis was done on 13798 documents, which included title, author keywords, and index keywords. After clustering using the K-Means method, and calculating the inclusion index for created clusters, the similarity of keywords between the three fields was determined. Results: There was a high similarity between the index and the author keywords (87.71 and 85.71). The low amount of the index in the title field and the index keywords (0) also suggested that there was little similarity between the controlled vocabulary and the keywords used by the authors in the title, and that authors did not use the preferred vocabulary in the title. Conclusion: Using the words of the title field will show the results of the natural language analysis. However, if the purpose of a study is categorizing terms, the use of index keywords field will be the most appropriate.

Background and aim: Today, the scientific outputs of universities are quantitatively and qualitatively measured using scientometrics on which the scientific progress of these institutions is evaluated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the scientific outputs of agricultural colleges in State Khuzestan Universities during 1989-2008 and to assess the scientific status of these institutions. Material and methods: This descriptive-analytical survey was performed using scientometrics. A checklist, Web of Science (WoS) and research report were used to gather the data. The study population consisted of 128 faculty members working in the Faculties of Agriculture in Shahid-Chamran University, Ramin (Khuzestan) Agricultural and Natural Resources and Behbahan Natural Resources. Findings: The results of the research showed that the total scientific outputs of all three institutes were 5715 titles, and had the growing trend the studied period. The most scientific documents with 1445 titles (about 25% of the total scientific output) were produced in 2008. Pearson correlation coefficient indicated that there was a significant relationship between scientific degree, work experience and scientific outputs (p≥0.000). Conclusion: The trend of scientific outputs of the studied institutions was growing. Educational groups of agronomy and plant breeding, animal sciences and plant protection had more scientific outputs than other groups.

Purpose: This research aims to investigate accidental discovery of information in using of social networks and online communication in Shiraz University. Methodology: This is an applied research that uses descriptive analytical techniques. In order to determine the validity of the questionnaire the comments of a number of experts and professors were asked, and by using Cronbach’s Alfa its reliability(./88) was determined. The research population consisted of 3434 students of the faculty of Humanities and Engineering.. A sample of 346 students were randomly selected for the research, based on the Krejcie-Morgan sampling table. The collected data were imported to SPSS version 21, and analyzed based on descriptive statistics. Findings: Results show that the respondents were using resources more than average. They also know Social Networks and Online Communication a useful tool for purposeful gathering and accidental exposure to information. The majority of respondents use information gathered accidentally in their various activities, and store or share it. Conclusion: Social technologies and online communication are useful tools to achieve the targeted information and also to obtain untargeted information. Accidental discovery is an information gathering method equal to targeted information-seeking. Obtained information by accident is useful in the sharing of knowledge. It can also change the user path, guide him towards a new idea and assist in solving problems.

Background and aim: This study aimed to examine co-authorship and collaboration of scientific outputs in the field of agriculture. Moreover, it investigated their visibility in Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC) from 2007 to 2013. Material and methods: This survey study was done using scientometric method and population included the scientific outputs published in journals of agriculture indexed in ISC from 2007 to 2013. Data were analyzed via descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS, Excel and Pajek softwares. Findings: The results showed that there was an ascending trend in papers published in the field of agriculture during 2007-2013. In addition, from 15128 papers indexed in ISC, 92.3% had coauthors and 7.7% had no co-authors. The published papers had ascending trend from 2017 in the year of 2007 to 3250 titles in 2013. Yearly rate of growth was %9.27 during 2007-2013. Conclusion: There was a positive and significant relationship between co-authorship papers and their visibility in the field of agriculture. The presence of the co-author will influence on the number of citations to the article so that co-authorship will increase the citations.

Purpose: the purpose of the study was to survey the attitudes of the people of Ahvaz city (Iran) towards the public libraries and librarians. Methodology: This work is a descriptive research with survey method. Research population consisted of the total people living in Ahvaz city. By using Krejcie-Morgan sampling table, 410 people were randomly selected through quota sampling procedure. Data collection was conducted using a researcher-made questionnaire. The validity and reliability of the instrument were tested and approved. Questionnaires were distributed and collected manually by the researchers. We used Kolmogrov-Smirnov test, one-sample t-test, Friedman mean rank test, chi-square test for inferential analysis. Findings: Findings showed that total attitudes of the respondents toward public library services were positive and at the fairly desirable level. Public libraries services, librarians, and social value being perceived fairly desirable. However, viewpoints of people showed that collection development in public libraries is fairly undesirable. The most valuable characteristic of the public libraries understood as sociocultural place. Originality/Value: we tried to show the peoples immediate attitudes about public libraries and find their perceptions about public library. People don’t believe public library as an information service platform but identify them as a sociocultural place.

Nowadays, libraries face the “engagement crisis” according to the development of information and communication technologies as well as the presence of electronic information providers in digital environments. Accordingly, one of the most new presence concepts in this field is “gamifying the library services”. Gamification has been defined as a process of enhancing services with motivational affordances in order to invoke gameful experiences and behavioral outcomes. So, this research aims to design the librarygame website and investigate the effect of its implementation on self-determination dimensions among the users of central library of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences. This is an applied study which has been done by a “pretest-posttest design” approach. The population included all medical library and information science students of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences (N=45). First, the librarygame website named “Ketabdan” designed based on gathered data by systematic review. Then, the pretest-posttest design was applied to study the effect of Ketabdan software on the participants using “Player (User) Experience of Need Satisfaction Scale” questionnaire. SPSS 22.0 was used to analyze data. The results showed that the original library website had a low adaptability level with self-determination dimensions of the users; conversely, the librarygame website had been shown a high adaptability level with self-determination dimensions of the users. Also, the rate of the effectiveness of Ketabdan software on four dimensions of self-determination was high, while the original library website was low. According to the importance and necessity of gamifying academic library websites, library managers should design websites based on game dynamics, mechanics, and elements as well as basic psychological needs of users. This may result in the users’ engagement and loyalty.

Background and aim: This study aimed to examine co-authorship and collaboration of scientific outputs in the field of agriculture. Moreover, it investigated their visibility in Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC) from 2007 to 2013. Material and methods: This survey study was done using scientometric method and population included the scientific outputs published in journals of agriculture indexed in ISC from 2007 to 2013. Data were analyzed via descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS, Excel and Pajek softwares. Findings: The results showed that there was an ascending trend in papers published in the field of agriculture during 2007-2013. In addition, from 15128 papers indexed in ISC, 92.3% had coauthors and 7.7% had no co-authors. The published papers had ascending trend from 2017 in the year of 2007 to 3250 titles in 2013. Yearly rate of growth was %9.27 during 2007-2013. Conclusion: There was a positive and significant relationship between co-authorship papers and their visibility in the field of agriculture. The presence of the co-author will influence on the number of citations to the article so that co-authorship will increase the citations.

Background and Objectives: Nursing is one of the largest groups of health care providers that needs updated information to improve quality and quantity of health care services, clinical activities, etc. In the meantime, evidence-based databases (such as Up-To-Date Database) significantly contribute to improve performance and efficiency of health services by providing the latest findings on health issues. The present study aimed to survey the information seeking behavior and information needs of nurses working in Ahvaz hospitals affiliated with Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in using Up-To-Date database. Material and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, the statistical population consisted of 1246 nurses working in hospitals of Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences among which 293 nurses were selected. The required data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the researcher. Validity and reliability of the questionnaire were confirmed by Cronbach's alpha coefficient as 0.71. Descriptive statistics and Kruskal-Wallis Test were used for data analysis. Results: The results showed that most of the nurses needed information about new developments in the field of nursing and medications. A majority of the nurses used simple searching technique to find the required information. Most of the nurses aimed to update their information using Up-To-Date Database. The main barrier to update information was shortage of time. Conclusion: Therefore, it is essential to teach information skills to nurses; so that they can access modern and updated information in the field of nursing and obtain

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to measure the personality charateristics of entrepreneurship among students of Knowledge and Information Science (KIS) of Shahid Chamran University of Ahwaz and to review the most important strategies for developing these charateristics from the viewpoint of students in this field. Methodology: This was an applied study conducted through a survey method with a descriptive-analytical approach. The study population included all 133 KIS students of Shahid Chamran University whom the questionnaires were distributed among them and finally 109 questionnaires (95.81%) were collected. Findings: Research findings showed that among entrepreneurial personality characteristics of students of Shahid Chamran University, “internal locus of control” (22.92) had the highest and “tolerance for ambiguity” (19.64) the lowest mean. The results also showed that the most important strategies for the development of these features were respectively: “utility solutions”, “training”, “advocacy and research”, and “technological solutions”. Conclusion: Entrepreneurial personality characteristics of KIS Students of Shahid Chamran University were desirable except in “independence” and “ambiguity tolerance”.

Purpose: The purpose of the research is to compare the viewpoints of Ahvaz high-school teachers and students about the necessity of existence of school libraries and professional librarians, to determine the position of libraries in the education system. Methodology: Present research is a survey and the research population includes all the teachers and high school students of Ahvaz city in the academic year 1391-92. The data gathering tool was a researcher-made questionnaire and t-test and analysis mean scores were applied. In this study, subscales consisted of necessity of existence of school libraries, necessity of existence of professional librarians, the curriculum relevance to school library resources and services, and the amount of "ketabyar" ability in answering the information needs of teachers and students were examined. Findings: The results showed that students and teachers are persistent for the necessity of school library. It seems that Students were suspicious about abilities of “Ketabyar” (a master student as librarian) in handling school library. Also, The results showed that there were significant differences among teachers and students' viewpoints in subscales of necessity of existence of school libraries, the curriculum relevance to school library resources and services, and the amount of "ketabyar" ability in answering student’s information needs. Originality/value: this research is valuable in showing the necessity of school library and librarian in Iran and the fact that “Ketabyar” as librarian is unreliable. Iranian schools nowadays approximately don’t have good conditioned school libraries and the ministry of education has banned employment of educated librarians for handling school libraries.

Today, given the growing advances in technology, smartphones have become one of the means of accessing information. The purpose of this study is to investigate the information-seeking behavior in the mobile environment by analyzing PhD student smartphone users’ behaviour at Shahid Chamran University of Ahwaz. The study is descriptive and is based on a survey. A researcher-constructed questionnaire is used to collect the data. The statistical population of this research is 285 PhD students at Shahid Chamran University of Ahwaz enrolled in 2016. The findings suggest that smartphones are used predominantly for connecting to social media, chat, voice calls and Internet access. After Laptops, smartphones are the most widely used tools for accessing the news, seeking information for academic research and reading e-books and articles. The results also show that some of the most important advantages of smartphones are continual information exchange, immediate access to information from anywhere, multi-tasking option and quick searching for information.

Given the lack of a standardized and normalized assessment tool for measuring Iranian primary school students' levels of IL, this study adapted and modified the Tool for Real-time Assessment of Information Literacy Skills to evaluate the IL skills of a group of the 6th grade students. In this research, descriptive research design was used and the data were collected through a survey. A sample of 701 female and male students in the 6th grade from Ahwaz city was selected. Stratified random sampling technique was used to draw/choose representative sample. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, median, interquartile deviation, scores of percentile ranks, and z, Zn, T scores were used to specify the IL skills test norms. According to the results, the mean score of female students in IL skills assessment was 11.56, while in males was 9.04. This demonstrates that the Iranian 6th grade students have weakness in IL skills; this issue is due to the lack of IL instruction in school curriculum and despite the adoption of various documents to improve the education system in Iran in recent years. Findings of this research provide insights towards the IL assessment tool development of k-12 students in Iran and establish a baseline for introducing TRAILS testing in k-12 setting in Iran.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between Cultural Intelligence and its components with librarians' job performance in the public libraries of Khuzestan. Methodology: This study is a descriptive correctional research that applied with survey method. The population is consisted of the whole librarians employing in the public libraries of Khuzestan (S=230), from which, by using the Krejcie & Morgan table, a 145 people sample were selected through stratified random sampling method. To measure the cultural intelligence and job performance, the questionnaires of Van Dyne and Ang (2004), and Farajpahlou and et al (1391) were used respectively. In order to test the research hypotheses, multiple regression and Pearson correlation coefficients were used. Findings: The results showed that between cultural intelligence (by cognitive and metacognitive) and librarians' job performance in the public libraries of Khuzestan, there is a significant positive relationship. Also the components of cultural intelligence (cognitive, metacognitive, motivational and behavioral) cognitive, metacognitive and motivational cultural intelligence have a significant positive relationship with job Performance of librarians. Originality/Value: On the basis of this research, we can approvingly said that for create any increase in the job performance of public librarians, directors must invoke the cultural intelligence of them as an important priority.

Purpose: To investigate Shahid Chamran University students’ expectations from librarians.Methodology: This is a descriptive study conducted through content analysis approach. A questionnaire was distributed among the sample and content analysis and interpretations were carried out on the frequency of each statement of every 6 studied topics.Findings: Librarians were expected to be familiar with information resources special topics, to know students’ disciplines, know popular authors in each discipline and have mastery in searching the Internet and databases and teach information literacy, have skill in using library software. Also, to have good temper and patience and respect students, help them in searching information resources, be accountable, have good appearance and respect social and Islamic moral values.Originality: This is the first research in this field which solely focuses on students expectations for library services.

Electronic information resources (EIR) play an important role in the process of education and research. The aim of this study was to analyze the status of adoption of electronic information resources (EIR) by Iranian Knowledge and Information Science (KIS) faculty members. This applied- descriptive survey was carried out on Iranian KIS Faculty Members in 2012. The number of participants was determined based on the Cochran's sample size table. Of the 170 Faculty Members, 122 individuals were randomly selected. Data collection tool was an Electronic questionnaire, and its validity was confirmed by professionals. The reliability of the questionnaire was verified after a pilot study. By using IBM SPSS 20 software and through exploratory factor analysis, descriptive statistics, and inferential tests the data were analyzed. Results showed that, there is significant difference between the mean of adoption rate of electronic information resources (EIR) by people with different levels of education. In addition, the Pearson correlation coefficient showed a significant relationship between mean of adoption rate and the faculty’s teaching experience and age. The results of Kolmogorov-Smirnoff test showed that the curve of adoption rate of electronic information resources among the sample is normal, and thus, the adoption rate of resources over time, is S-shaped. Ultimately, this study confirmed The Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation Theory (2003) in context of Adaptor categories of electronic information resources (EIR), and S-shaped curve, among faculty members in departments of knowledge and Information science in Iran.

The purpose of this study is the assessment of the quality of portals of Subsidiaries of the Iranian Petroleum Ministry using“WEBQEM”. Descriptive survey method was applied and research society included 130 portals of Subsidiaries of the Iranian Petroleum Ministry. Data was collected by a designed checklist based on WebQEM model, and analyzed by using SPSS 21 Software. Results showed that the websites based on usability (Mean= 0.542) are in the above medium status, and based on functionality (Mean= 0.422) are under the medium status, and based on reliability (Mean= 0.719) and efficiency (Mean= 0.758) are in the good status.Portals based on usability and functionality characteristics had weak constitution. According to the results and recommendations of this study designer of this portals results must be concentrate on finding the best mechanism for improving the quality of portals.Also some portals based on reliability and efficiency need to reconstruct.

The present study intended to analyze and compare electronic and printed journals usage by faculty members and postgraduate students of Shiraz School of Science. This research is of a descriptive and survey type. A questionnaire was used to collect data. The study population included 65 faculty members and 130 postgraduate students in Shiraz School of Science in the 2009-2010 academic year. The results of the study showed that both faculty members and postgraduate students make use of e-journals more than printed journals. Comparisons between the two cases reveal that faculty members make more use of e-journals than postgraduate students. Both groups confirm the importance of each of printed and electronic journals at “high” level but faculty members regard e-journals as more important and prefer use of e-journals. 79.9% of respondents believe that electronic form is a suitable substitute for printed form of journals. The findings also show that e-journals and printed journals meet the information needs of respondents respectively at “high” level and less than “average level”. Respondents introduce finding specific information, authoring and translating book and papers, and conducting research as their most important reasons in using both formats of journals. The most notable obstacles towards making optimum use of e-journals in view of respondents are not being informed of existence of required e-journals, lack of information about the resources available at e-journal databases and absence of the e-journals related to their fields of study. Although respondents totally declare their skill in making use of e-journals at “fairly high” level, faculty members are more skilled than postgraduate students. Generally, 64.4% of respondents are in need of learning use of e-journals while postgraduate students seem to be more in need of such a skill.

Bibliotherapy is one of the complementary methods of treatment to cure those suffering from mental or behavioral problems. This research attempted to answer the question:"Are present librarians competent to do bibliotherapy?" This study is a review type; the data were gathered through reviewing relevant Persian and English sources. All Persian articles published as the result of local research were also studied. In this study, the literature on necessary traits and skills needed by a successful therapist as well as the curricula for medical librarians and Knowledge & Information Science students were also reviewed and analyzed. The present curricula are deprived of any courses dealing with bibliotherapy. Further, the present librarians do not enjoy required competencies as a successful therapist. Thus, librarians are not qualified to do bibliotherapy independently. Due to the importance of bibliotherapy as a treatment method, it is essential that librarians refrain from involving in bibliotherapy independently. They may use it when assisted by specialists in psychology, counselling, and/or psychiatry. Due to relative overlap of Knowledge & Information Science and Medical Librarianship fields with bibliotherapy, and highly motivated librarians, library departments may establish bibliotherapy courses with the help of medical experts. Keywords: Bibliotherapy; Librarians; Complementary Therapies.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the status of reference librarians of university central libraries under the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology and the Ministry of Health and Medical Education in each of the levels of theory and reference.Methods: This study was of a descriptive survey type and used a researcher-made questionnaire derived from existing theories. Total of 133 questionnaires were returned by the reference librarians. Results: Results showed a trend toward a Max Theory (Liberal theory). With the increasing Education and work experience, librarians became more inclined towards Max theory. Reference librarians of libraries under the Ministry of Health gained higher scores on the Max theory. Originality: So far, very few studies have examined the reference librarians from the viewpoint of reference theories. This research is new in term of addressing the situation of reference librarians at different levels of reference theories.

New information and communication technologies have changed the library and information science education, similar to other science education. Therefore, after 14 years, the Planning Council of Higher Education revised curriculum of undergraduate LIS (Library and Information Science) and approved new curriculum in the form of 111 basic, special compulsory and special optional units. The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the curriculum of the undergraduate LIS approved in 1375 and 1388. This study was performed using the method of content analysis. Results showed that the percent of titles with share content at two curricula was only 25%, which represents the novelty of the new program. Curriculum approved in 1388 had more number of special and practical units. In the new curriculum, 75% of the total units have been changed in terms of creating new courses, renaming or merging of courses. Also, 44% of curriculum approved in 1388 was new and 22% related to application of information technologies in libraries. The consistent percent of new Iranian LIS curriculum with other countries curriculum was nearly 70%. Due to the created changes in the field title and LIS curriculum in various countries, and accordance of these changes with evolution of LIS curriculum in Iran, It seemed that the conditions were appropriate for renaming the title of LIS field.

Purpose: This research tries to study the information needs of hearing-impaired students in exceptional schools in Shiraz from their teachers’ viewpoint and evaluate the role of libraries in these schools in meeting these needs. Methodology: This is a survey in which the opinions of 44 teachers of the exceptional schools for hearing-impaired students were collected by a questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software. Findings: As data analysis revealed, information needs of hearing-impaired students in exceptional schools in Shiraz include general information, supplementary information resources, and amusement. According to the teachers, the most appropriate form of providing the information resources is the books accompanied by CD or DVD and sign language. The teachers believe that the existing information resources have low effect on development of social skills of hearing-impaired students and such students are incapable of purchasing and use of current information resources. 52.2% of the teachers think that proper communication devices (such as teletex and written chat) are not available to the students. Also, the students rarely use the libraries in their schools and have insufficient familiarity with the existing information resources in the libraries. Besides, quality of the schools libraries is low. Originality/Value: The findings of this research can be useful for related officials in identification of the information needs of a specific group of the society’s individuals and in trying to meet such needs. Furthermore, the present study can assist the parents and teachers of hearing-impaired students to satisfy the information needs of such specific group of students.

Purpose: This paper aims to study the concepts of information poverty in human societies. Methodology: Using the methodology of library study, the present paper investigates different viewpoints concerning information poverty, as well as its dimensions and causes. Findings: In comparison with different forms of poverty, information poverty is more complex. It encompasses wider dimensions and in turn intensifies other forms of poverty such as economic poverty. So, information poverty and economic poverty are related to each other. Originality/Value: This paper tries to introduce main forms of poverty in present societies and believes that information poverty deals with concepts such as information poor and rich, digital gap, and information overload. It also presents ways to confront it.

The present research studies the level of information literacy among librarians of public libraries in Khuzestan province with the purpose of identifying their potential strengths and weaknesses. The statistical population in this study includes all librarians of public libraries in Khuzestan province. The findings indicate that the mentioned librarians are at desirable level in following skills: correct understanding of their information needs; the ability of combining new information with previous knowledge and generating new knowledge; evaluating the result of search process with regard to satisfying their information needs; and level of commitment to copyright and to legal and social limitations for making use of information. Additionally, the librarians under study are at undesirable level in following skills: information search strategies in electronic format; taking advantage of online and offline information databases; making use of facilities and characteristics of search engines, discussion groups, and news groups in internet; referencing printed and electronic resources; design and selection of the most appropriate and effective method for access to information; and determining the level of consulting with other librarians and subject specialists in information retrieval.

The growing number of specialized, scientific journals has made fast, batch identification and retrieval of articles a daunting task for the researchers. Furthermore, the rising cost of journal subscriptions, has deprived many researchers and even small libraries of individual subscriptions. The present research was conducted to assess the importance of establishing a full text database of Persian articles at the library of the faculty of law and political sciences in Shiraz University from the standpoint of the graduate and undergraduate students. Findings demonstrated that the average usefulness of the full-text article databases in students’ view, was rated “high”, given their experience with databases. About 61% of the respondents stated their “high” and “very high” approval for article digitization. Given the advantages offered by full-text article databases, the approval rating of the respondents have been “high

• Introduction: This article intends to compare information literacy of International Branch students with Nursing students of Jundi Shapur University of Medical Sciences – Abadan Branch. • Methods: This research is of survey-descriptive type which has been conducted using a questionnaire to collect the data. The population studied included 222 students studying at the international branch and nursing school of Jundi Shapur University of Medical Sciences -Abadan Branch. • To analyze the data, SPSS13 was used. Descriptive analysis including frequency, prevalence, average and standard deviation as well as analytical statistics ANOVA, T-test and Tukey were implemented. • Results: The findings showed that International Branch students enjoy a higher level of information literacy than nursing students. However, in general, the subjects enjoy an average level of information literacy and that there is no significant difference between the information literacy levels of freshmen and senior students. Other findings suggest that the subjects were at an average level in finding their required information resources in the library, as well as using computer and other accessories. • Self-confidence in seeking information, assessment of retrieved information and self-satisfaction from the results of their searches and the ability to seek help from a librarian were all at an average level. However, the students stood at a low level as to finding their required information on the internet and using logical operators. The subjects used books more than any other information sources, and information networks stand as the first channel for seeking information. • Conclusion: Since information literacy of the population was at an average level, planning for educational programs to promote information literacy of students is essential. • Keywords: Information Literacy; Universities; Students; Information Resources.

Iranian engineers' information needs and information seeking habits

Introduction: This article aimed to study the main constituents of professional information seeking in organizational context of Emergency Medical Management (EMS) and Disaster Management Center in Bushehr City, Iran. In this study, we tried to investigate the relationship between job duties, professionalism, and information sources in organizational context. Methods: This study was done on the basis of a qualitative method called "interpretive field study". The method of data gathering was interview, observation, and the investigation of Emergency Medical Management documents. For data analysis, at first the concepts was extracted from the interviews and then, they were clustered. Finally, describing the relationship among the set of concepts, a model was presented for information Seeking of Bushehr emergency medical management technicians. Results: In this model, it became clear that the nature of job of emergency medical management technicians had divided their information seeking to two part: during the processes and after the processes. During the implementation of processes, information seeking was done in the decision-making time which was based on experience and collective consultation. After the implementation of the processes, to answer the information needs, the search for sources began. Method of discerning the information needs, searching for sources (experience, group consultation, official sources, …) during the implementation of process and after that, depended on job training, personal behaviors, and organizational norms which were present in study context. Conclusion: The emergency medical management authorities should consider the nature of profession and organizational context in information seeking behavior and should utilize from various information seeking pattern to meet the information requirements of emergency medical management technicians.