Support and Content (internal and external) analysis ofacademic libraries websites’ of Iranian Universities of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Introduction: Universities of Medical Sciences Academic Libraries websites’ have an important role in interaction and offering services for users. The aim of present study was the assessment of Support and Content analysis of academic libraries websites’ of Iranian Universities of Medical science. Methods: the method of this applied study was survey– analytical.First academic library websites of Iranian MedicalUniversities were identified and were compared from a general criteriaof support and content evaluation by using three check lists with questions which validity were confirmed by experts and conducted research. During February of 2013, 43 Academic library websites of Medical Sciences libraries websites affiliated to the Ministry of Health were evaluated. In this assessment score of elements gathered for each website; finally data analyzed by Excel software. Results: Totally, in studying of Universities of Medical Sciences libraries websites an average 34/04% of the internal content item, 52/52% of external content research items and 39/88% of the support items have observed in designing web pages. Among the studied universities’ websites, oneuniversity had considered more than 50% of check lists information items in terms of designing their website. Universities of Shahed (55), Mashhad (47) and Shahid Beheshti(45) had been considered the evaluation criteria in terms of libraries websites design more than others. Also universities of Babol (17), Artesh (17), and Uromiyeh (16) had lower rankings. Conclusion: In general, the content (internal and external) and support of academic libraries websites’ of Iranian Universities of Medical Scienceswas at lower than medium level. Key words: Internet; Libraries; Information Systems; Academic Libraries; Iran.