Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

 

Date of this Version

2019

Abstract

Introduction: This study conducted to assess the discipline specific and general skill level of librarians working in libraries of the top three Iranian medical universities in Tehran.

Methods: The survey was carried out among all 115 librarians working in the libraries of Iran, Tehran and Shahid-Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA.

Results: The participants’ perceived skill level in discipline specific set of skills was relatively unsatisfactory in total while their skill level in general skills was relatively satisfactory. The mean scores of the participants’ skill level in six categories of discipline specific skills were as follows: “health sciences environment” (M=2.55), “information services and health sciences resources” (M=3.19), “health information resources management” (M=3.47), “technology and information systems” (M=2.87), “user education” (M=2.80), “research methods” (M=2.67)). The total mean score for general skills was also 2.97 and 3.03. There was a significant relationship between the mean scores of both discipline specific and general skill levels with variables such as the educational level, age and university degree. Furthermore, a statistically significant relationship between work experience and discipline specific skill level was confirmed (P <0.05).

Conclusion: Considering the unsatisfactory level of the librarians’ discipline specific skills and the significant relationship between the degree of education and the level of discipline specific and general skills, more effective planning is needed for the training of the required skills, revising the curriculum, and planning for in-service training for LIS professionals.

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