Review of issues experienced by remote users of Databases operated by Regional Information Center Of Science and Technology

The wide-spread use of search engines – due to their simplicity and ease of use- has given rise to significant shift in users’ search behavior. Resolving the exiting issues and difficulties in access to library materials resulting in easier utilization of the same would impact on users increasing availing themselves to the said material. Regional Information Center on Science and Technology has attracted large number of remote users (both from Iran and the Middle-East) based on numerous online databases that it operates. The present study carries out a survey in order to investigate the most common issues experienced by RICST remote users of online databases. Low connection speeds is the main difficulty experienced by such users that entails numerous problems. Slow download speeds, servers maintenance downtimes, subscription fees, unfamiliarity with RCIST databases and facilities, lack of search skills, as well as user ID and passwords were cited as issues. In spite of having user ID and passwords, these users cited benefiting from the knowledge of RCIST information specialists as the reason for coming back. User satisfaction with RCIST databases is an indicator of its positive performance with respect to such users.