Establishing an information network among Islamic Sciences Centers in Iran: a feasibility study

Abstract

PurposeThis study aims to evaluates the existing and potential facilities in Iranian Islamic Sciences Centers (ISCs), including information resources, budget, human resources and facilities. It identifies the views of Center managers in order to find grounds for cooperation and collaboration and to develop communication and information exchanges between the Centers.Design/methodology/approachThe population of this research includes all 123 ISCs in Iran. Questionnaires were distributed in a three‐month interval (August to October, 2008). The data were analyzed using SPSS software (Version 16).FindingsThe findings show that ISCs support the establishment of a network and would join it; however, lack of professionals in the informatics and network development, lack of in‐service training facilities, lack of financial and facilities, lack of access to the resources of other centers and the absence of fast exchange of information are among the problems that need much attention.Practical implicationsTo establish the network, three issues should be considered, i.e. human resources, budget, and facilities of the centers.Originality/valueThe paper can serve as a driver to improve the efficiency in ISCs through establishing an information network to serve them.

Feasibility study of digital document supply services in Iranian research institutes and academic libraries

“…With respect to the facilities required for the establishment of the service at the local level, it was observed that librarians believe the state of facilities such as scanners, printers, CD writers, purchase and installation of software, and even internet speed, which is based upon bandwidth, is not desirable. This is consistent with the findings of Abazari and Isfandyari-Moghaddam (2010). However, considering hardware and software development in digital document supply services, Erokina (2010) and Ping (2010) have addressed the competitive viewpoints in continuous access to these items, and mentioned the potential of libraries in Russia and China as witnesses to the role of these items in this area.…”