تحقیقات اطلاع‌رسانی و کتابخانه‌های عمومی (Mar 2019)

Social Intelligence of Librarians and its Role in the increase of the Social Responsibility of Libraries: A Case Study of Public Libraries of Markazi Province

  • Akbar Bahmani,
  • Seyed Mehrdad Seyedin

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 24, no. 4
pp. 591 – 612

Abstract

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Purpose: The present research aims to explore the role of librarians' social intelligence in increasing the social responsibility of public libraries of Markazi province. Methodology: This is an applied and survey-descriptive research. The statistical population includes all the librarians of public libraries of Markazi (numbered 184) from whom 89 individuals were selected by using the random sampling method. The instruments used in the research were the Kerri Anne Crowne's questionnaire on social intelligence with 21 items, and Denison's questionnaire on social responsibility with 19 items. The Cronbach's alpha value for the social intelligence questionnaire was 0.83 and for the social responsibility questionnaire was 0.925. The validity of the questionnaires was assessed by the relevant experts in the field. Findings: The results showed that the social intelligence of librarians has positive effect on social responsibility. The level of dimensions and components of social intelligence in the librarians was found above average. In addition, with respect to the effect of the components of librarians' social intelligence on the libraries' social responsibility, it was determined that all three components of social intelligence of the librarians had a significant impact on the social responsibility of libraries. Originality/value: The present research which attempts to examine the role of librarians' social intelligence in the increase of the social responsibility of Markazi province's public libraries will expand the knowledge of this area and raises the awareness among the researchers and managers of Markazi province's public libraries. Furthermore, and its findings can inform the relevant managers and experts of the status of the librarians' social intelligence of this province and assist them in planning to improve their social intelligence.

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