Evaluation of Education Hospital Libraries in Mazandaran and Babol University of Medical Sciences according to Standards of Hospital Libraries

Abstract

Introduction: Progress in medical technology requires medical libraries to promote based on the references standards. The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of hospital libraries of Mazandaran and Babol University of medical sciences, on the basis of references standards. Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study has been done on 11 education hospital libraries of Mazandaran and Babol University on 2013. Data collection was through census and the assessment tool was the researcher questionnaire. It`s reliability and validity was confirmed approval by opinions of masters of science and the Chronbach`s alpha (r=0.74), respectively. Data analyzed by descriptive statistics (Frequency distribution) and excel software. Results: Findings showed that 60 percent of libraries were managed by librarians with Bsc. and Msc. degree. None of the libraries were standardized in view of number of books (at least 40000 references). Among the libraries just Buali in Sari and Amircolah`s children in Babol deliver services to patients. All libraries were opened only 6 days a week. Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital in Babol with an area of ​​565 Sq had the most space between other libraries and with 91/63% had the more facilities. Conclusions: Inappropriate condition of the libraries can indicate a lack of obey of library standard and less attention from authorities particularly senior managers to hospital libraries. Keywords: Libraries; Hospitals; Reference Standards; Universities