کتابداری و اطلاعرسانی (Mar 2017)
The role of Telegram mobile social network in developing the academic library services (Case study: Managers and librarians of the central library of the universities of the Iranian Ministry of Science, Research and Technology)
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this research is to determine the role of Telegram, a social mobile network, in developing the services of academic central libraries of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology (MSRT) between the managers and librarians. Methodology: This is a descriptive-analytic research conducted through a survey method. In the first part, two checklists were provided for the academic library services as well as activities of the central libraries of the universities of MSRT (including Sharif University of Technology, University of Isfahan, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, and Shahid Chamran University of Ahwaz) providing services. In the second part, a researcher-made questionnaire was distributed among 102 managers and librarians of the mentioned libraries which launched a Telegram channel in 2015-2016. Data were analyzed in two levels of descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS Software. Results: The findings showed that information services were provided at three central libraries of the Sharif University of Technology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and Shahid Chamran University of Ahwaz, and borrowing services at the central library of the University of Isfahan. The data analysis of the questionnaire revealed that managers and librarians’ attituded for the development of library services including borrowing with a mean of 3.50, informing with a mean of 3.39, reference with a mean of 3.29, information technology with a mean of 3.30, and education and research with a mean of 3.35, which was generally at moderate mean. There was also a positive and significant relationship between the variables of the Telegram social network and the academic library services. Conclusion: The results of the research showed that most libraries used the social network of Telegram to present news and events of the library. Considering the importance and efficiency of the Telegram social network in providing the borrowing services, informing, reference, information technology and education and research, it is suggested that related measures should be considered for its proper use in relation to the development of academic library services through Telegram.
