Library user's satisfaction rate at the central library of Birjand University of Medical Sciences

Respecting the clients is an important element for every successful information system. This study was done to determine the user's satisfaction rate with the services offered by the Central Library of Birjand University of Medical Sciences. In this descriptive analytical study, 400 students, through systematic sampling, and other members, by means of census, were studied. A self-made questionnaire was designed based on the study goals and its content validity was approved by a number of professionals. The obtained data were analyzed by means of SPSS software using statistical tests, at the significant level of P<0. 05. Out of 696 cases studied, 53% were students, 27% were employees, 16% were faculty members and 4% were ordinary members of the library. Satisfaction rate of the users were in the order of: educational workshops (88.6%), personnel treatment (85.2%), book loaning services (84.8%), Physical and welfare facilities (82.2%), information services (65.5%), quality of sources (54.7%), quantity of sources (53.4%) and references and journals (51.6%). Faculty members had the highest mean satisfaction scores regarding book loaning services, references and journals, physical and welfare facilities, educational workshops, and personnel treatment. The working period of the library was appropriate for %76.7 of the library users. Student's satisfaction was significantly lower than other users in most of the fields (P<0.01). The average satisfaction rate of Central Library's members in most of the aspects was high. In order to improve the quantity and quality of the library services, it is suggested that the library activity hours, number and period of the source's loaning, number of the computers and period of using the Internet be increased.