The Study of the Main Characteristics of Digital Libraries in Iran Part 1: The Situation in 2009

The present research endeavors to discover similarities and differences among digital libraries in Iran and to clarify the extent of their consistency in terms of main library requisites. Using a qualitative -quantitative method, i.e. a survey research method using content analysis, it identifies Iranian Digital Libraries (IDLs) and explores their characteristics. Reviewing the literature, we identified the main requisites for libraries including search and browsing facilities, search mode, collection development policies, content, document types, feedback, access models and services and then composed them into a checklist. Searching Google, we verified the top 500 of the records returned to identify IDLs and study them regarding the criteria. The results showed that the IDLs vary strongly in their main traits and library requirements, signifying a general variation in their developer's interpretations of digital library concept. The strong points of the IDLs are their variety in contents, materials and subjects covered as well as in devising browsing facilities, multilingual collections and feedback mechanisms. However, they showed to be deficient in providing a variety of services, search and management mechanisms. The significance of the research relies on the importance of commonly agreed perceptions of digital libraries on their future success. It affects the nature of the relationships between information users, providers and intermediaries as well as their designing, implementation and resource, access and legalmanagement and the services types and extents.