Effectiveness of Information Counseling Courses on Information Seeking Behavior of Public Library Users: A case study

Abstract

Purpose: to investigate effectiveness of information counseling on informational seeking behavior in finding research resources in public libraries of Fould Shar in Isfahan province. Method: this is an experimental research that compares the results of pre-test and post test of experiment and control group after information counseling. The population was the members of Fouldshar Shahid Tavakoli library. 36 members were randomly selected and put them in two groups. 5 sessions of 90 minutes were held for experiment group. Researcher designed questionnaire was used for data gathering . Data were analyzed using independent t test with SPSS software. Findings: results indicated that there were significant differences between the two groups in terms of students’ scores regarding the pre and post test between two experimental and control group. information counseling courses had three positive effects on library users such as accessibility to research resources, improving users’ information seeking behaviors and leaving positive effect on users ‘attitudes. Originality/Value: The present research indicated the importance and effect of information counseling courses seeking behavior.

Keywords

• information seeking behavior
• information counseling
• public libraries
• institution of iran's public libraries