A Feasible Study on the Privatization of Public Libraries: a SWOT Analysis Approach

Tthis e present study identifies aims at identification of the most important internal factors of strengths and Weaknesses, as well as the external factors of opportunities and threats in regards with privatization of the public libraries, and their readiness for whether these libraries are capable of privatization. the factors and variables resulted from a literature review and, as well as several interviews with some a group of experts in the field of library and information science. The, and the researcher's observations were used in to analyzethe analysis of the internal and external SWOT factors in regards with privatization in public libraries. Findings show that the public libraries under the study are quite ready for privatization both internally, and externally, provided that they take advantage of opportunities they have. The the weighted sum of the strengths and weaknesses is 3.38, and the weighted sum of opportunities and threats is 3.47, both of which are greater than the cut point 2.50.meaning that all in all, public libraries under study are strong enough internally, and are capable of overcoming the external threats, provided they take the advantage of opportunities. Originality/Value: this is seeminglyseems to be the first attempt in SWOT analysis of public libraries in regards with privatization of these libraries.