Evaluation of the Viewpoints of Public Librarians in Markazi Province Regarding Activity in Virtual Space

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Msc. Department of Knowledge and Information Science, University of Qom, Qom, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Knowledge and Information Science, University of Qom, Qom, Iran.

10.30473/mrs.2025.74249.1616

Abstract

Given the activity of public libraries in virtual networks, this research aims to investigate the perspectives of librarians in public libraries of Markazi Province regarding activities in messaging applications and social networks.  Methodology: The present research is applied and conducted using a survey method with a descriptive-analytical approach. The statistical population of this research consists of 113 librarians working in 72 public libraries in Markazi Province, all of whom were studied. Ultimately, 91 individuals (80.53%) responded to the questionnaire, and data analysis was performed based on these 91 returned questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, frequency, and the Chi-square test were used to analyze the results, using SPSS statistical software. From the perspective of librarians in Markazi Province, among messaging applications and social networks, the most important network in terms of ease of use, security, practicality, and filtering is WhatsApp, with 68.4% ranking it as the top priority, Bale with 36.3% as the second priority, and Telegram with 34.1% as the third priority. Among social networks, Instagram holds the top priority with 98.9%, Facebook is the second priority with 60.4%, and YouTube is the third priority with 60.4%. In terms of subject matter, the most frequent posts concern library events, followed by informational posts, educational posts, research posts, entertainment, and occasion-related posts. Among informational posts, book introductions are the top priority, followed by author introductions, educational posts, database introductions, and other items. Among entertainment posts, crafts are the top priority, followed by origami, painting, and poetry reading. Posts are primarily in the form of videos and photos, followed by text, and finally podcasts.  Librarians are moderately familiar with podcast production, citing the lack of appropriate tools as the reason for not producing podcasts. They consider leveraging the experience of their colleagues and engaging in activities in virtual space as benefits of using virtual space for promotion. Among the disadvantages of using virtual space, they identify threats to privacy and weaknesses in librarianship.

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Main Subjects

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 11 April 2025
  • Revise Date: 21 May 2025
  • Accept Date: 11 June 2025
  • First Publish Date: 11 June 2025

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