Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Librarian of Astan Quds Razavi Library
2 Associate Professor, Information Science and Epistemology, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Objective: The research was conducted with the aim of identifying the components and indicators of voluntary activity in public libraries.
Methodology: The research method in the current study was qualitative content analysis, and the statistical population was the content of 17 websites of selected public libraries in the world.
Findings: The findings showed that the voluntary services provided in public libraries; They are: welcoming and answering the general questions of visitors, loaning and returning books, preparing crafts for children, cooperating in creating and decorating the library on various occasions, registering members and renewing membership cards, cooperating in the implementation of ceremonies and competitions, stories. As if for children, answering the questions of researchers. The criteria for recruiting and evaluating volunteer services in public libraries are: interest in books and reading; having sufficient opportunity to provide voluntary services; Relevancy of education degree and employment records; relative familiarity with the library and its resources; The methods of providing voluntary services in terms of time and place are: providing voluntary services in the library in person, providing voluntary services outside the library in person, providing services virtually and at different times.
Conclusion: The components and indicators of the model of providing voluntary services in public libraries are: individual and internal factors, organizational factors, sociological components, legal components, government policies, non-governmental organizations. The presence of volunteers in an official and consistent manner in public libraries does not have a significant history. Also, a significant part of the volunteering activities that are done for libraries is done with the traditional method that requires the presence of volunteers in the library. Although the presence of volunteers in the library can have many benefits for libraries and volunteers; However, there are obstacles and challenges in this field, including the provision of necessary facilities and equipment for volunteers and the provision of services during the library's limited working hours. These problems and challenges force the management of libraries to adopt methods to prepare the platform of virtual space for voluntary activities. Also, according to the need of library members to receive information at any place and at any time, the use of virtual space has become a necessity for libraries. On the other hand, librarians and library managers have realized that in order to compete with information providers, they have to leave the library environment.
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