Ergonomic Investigation of Information Centers Users in Academic Libraries: University of Tabriz -The Library and Documentation Center

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the research was to investigate the ergonomic activities of the information center’s users in the library and documentation center of the University of Tabriz. Methodology: Regarding the diversity of the population of the research, 385 students selected as a sample by probabilistic methods. Finally, 300 students fulfilled the questionnaire. The researcher-developed questionnaire used as a data-gathering tool and the data was analyzed by the SPSS statistical package. Findings: Findings: The findings of the research showed that users use computers daily between 1-2 hours at most. 7.7 percent of the students had muscular and skeletal problems. The average score of environmental factors, user’s concordance and utilization of ergonomic principles, and considering personal ergonomic principles are 2.77, 3.06, and 2.85, respectively. General findings showed that the "ergonomy of environmental factors" and "considering personal ergonomic principles" are significantly lower than the average and the "user’s concordance and utilization of ergonomic principles" variable is at an average level. Findings also showed ergonomy of environmental factors of men significantly more than women. Also "ergonomy of environmental factors", "considering personal ergonomic principles", and "user’s concordance and utilization of ergonomic principles" are not statistically significant between students with the muscular and skeletal problem and other students, as well as between variant education levels and different daily use of computers. Conclusion: The amount of ergonomy of environmental factors, and considering personal ergonomic principles are significantly lower than average, and "user’s concordance and utilization of ergonomic principles" is at an average level.

Keywords

• users ergonomy
• academic libraries users
• central library of tabriz university
• user health