Document Type : Research Paper
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze barriers to effective implementation of the inter-library loan and document delivery in public libraries at Fars province.
Methodology: A questionnaire survey was used to carry out the study. Administrators and librarians of public libraries in Fars province constitute the population of the current study. The total population of full-time administrators and librarians in Fars public libraries at the time of this study was 254. Data analysis was accomplished using SPSS software.
Findings: Findings showed that the overwhelming majority of respondents notified the necessity and importance of implementing an effective inter-library loan and document delivery service. Results indicated that the main limitations and barriers to implement an effective inter-library loan and document delivery included: No guarantee to prevent damage to resources (97. 3 percent); Lack of uniform regulations (95. 00 percent); Lack of funding for collaborative agreements between libraries (92. 1 percent); Lack of cooperation among public libraries in inter-library loans (91. 3 percent); The high cost of cooperation between libraries and lack of funding by parent organizations (89. 4 percent); Lack of equipment such as computer, scanner, etc. (89 percent), librarians’ unfamiliarity with databases and network technologies (83. 9 percent); Lack of library professionals in the field of inter-library loans and document delivery services (80 percent); and Lack of coordinator center among libraries (80 percent).
Conclusion: Inter-library loan and document delivery services can lead to the most interaction among public libraries and their users, which, in turn, will lead to greater awareness of the topics, common issues, and finding solutions and ideas for better services. More importantly, the implementation of inter-library loan and document delivery services can effectively meet the users’ information needs.
Keywords
- Collaboration among Libraries
- Interlibrary Loan
- Document Delivery Services
- public libraries
- Fars province
Main Subjects
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