Status of Innovation in Central Libraries of Iranian Medical Universities

Librarians need to provide innovative services to different target groups.

This study aimed to determine the innovation status in the central libraries of Iranian medical universities.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020. The study population consisted of 67 managers of the central libraries in Iranian medical universities. Datawerecollected using a researcher-made questionnairewhosevaliditywasconfirmedbyexperts; its reliabilitywas also confirmed with an alpha coefficient of 0.98. The data analysis was performed with descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS version 24 software.

The mean innovation score in the studied libraries was 3.5 ± 0.74 in the dimension of organizational innovation and 3.2 ± 0.73 in service innovation, both of which were relatively desirable. However, the innovation level in the technological dimension was 2.7 ± 0.54, which was a relatively unfavorable situation. There were no significant relationships between gender (P = 0.88, 0.16, 0.17), age (P = 0.287, 0.708, 0.981), education degree (P = 0.561, 0.943, 0.935), work experience (P = 0.284, 0.656, 0.782), and education level (P = 0.605, 0.122, 0.033) and the types of innovation in medical libraries.

In the digital era, libraries need to focus on innovation, redefine their plans, do strategic planning to change their roles, and take practical steps to provide services for their users’ needs.