Needs and expectations of the elderly from Iranian Public Libraries: A national survey

Considering the increased growth of the elderly population in the country and their problems in the society, using appropriate programs to empower and improve their health and quality of life would be necessary. A prerequisite for such a measure is to identify the needs and expectations of the elderly. The present study aimed at the prioritization of the needs, expectations and wants of the elderly from public libraries.

This is an applied study conducted using the cross-sectional methodology which sought to assess the needs and expectations of the elderly from public libraries using an author-made questionnaire. The study population includes 303 older adults from all over the country who were selected by available sampling.

The analysis of results showed that the needs and expectations of the elderly from the public libraries can be classified into three general categories: "required information resources", "expected services and programs", and "required equipments and facilities". The result of Friedman's test in order to prioritize the factors showed that there was a significant relation among the means of the mentioned categories. Findings showed that in the "resources" category, the elderly considered the resources related to healthcare, medicine, nutrition and diet and those related to historical stories and novels to be of higher importance, while legal and financial resources were considered to be of lower importance. In terms of services, "respect for the elderly in librarians", "life skills and psychology courses" and "free internet access in the library" were the first three major requirements, while "book-reading sessions, "book reading and critique sessions" were less important. In terms of required equipment and facilities, the presence of elevators, light and "proper lighting" as well as" suitable chairs and furniture in the library" were the four important categories. Meanwhile, introducing the elderly-related services and programs through the library website and audio-visual equipment (video projectors and video screens) were the least important categories. In addition, the results indicated that there was a significant difference between services, programs and information needs of the elderly based on age and gender, while no significant difference was found between the two variables of gender and age of the elderly as well as the category of facilities and equipment.

Identifying and determining the needs of the elderly is a cornerstone for the appropriate services and programs for this age group. Considering the diversity needs of the older adults in different categories included technology, financial, health and medical, and …, it is recommended that the needs of the elderly are taken into account in palnning and designing the appropriate services, collaborative programs and facilities by Iran Public Libraries Foundation and related libraries with cooperation among the stakeholders of the elderly in order to promote quality services permanently. Public libraries should synchronize the services and the real needs and expectations of the older adults and should try to deliver quality services, providing related information resources, programs and acquiring appropriate equipments and facilities for them.