Evaluation of Maturity Level of Total Quality Management in Iranian Central Medical Libraries and Guid Lines For Improvement

The present research investigates the degree of the comprehensive quality maturity in the central libraries at the universities of medical sciences in Iran thus providing guidelines for their promotion. The objectives of the present research study lies in the determination of the level of the Comprehensive Quality Maturity using the EFQM model of evaluation(European Model of Quality Management ) as well as the determination of the relationship between the quality level of libraries and satisfaction of their users. The analytical measurement method was used in this research and conclusions drawn through comparison and evaluations made between the results and the EFQM model as the criteria of comparison. The research sample included all the vice-chancellors in research affairs and heads of the central libraries affiliated to the University of Medical Sciences in Iran the numbers of whom was deliberated through a simple count. Also using the sampling technique of Michael Mark & Julie Jonin (1983 ) a number of Academic Staff using the library were included. The data gathering tools comprised of a 50-item questionnaire based on the EFQM model made available to the research vice chancellors as well as the heads of the libraries and a 22-item user-satisfaction questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed through descriptive, inferential statistical procedures making use of minitab and spss statistics Analytical tools. The results of the analysis revealed that the central libraries of the Universities of Medical Sciences in Iran enjoy a level of commitment to excellence and all of the 5 enabler's criteria with regard to excellence stood loest . Also no relationship was observed between the ratings ( quality standards ) of the libraries and user satisfaction. In conclusion and with retrospect of the results revealed by this research, a number of suggestions were made to promote the degree and level of the comprehensive quality management in the said libraries.