Factors and Challenges of Using Volunteers in Libraries from the Point of View of Astan Qods Razavi librarians

Volunteers to serve in the library are among the capacities that can be used to improve the organization of libraries. This research seeks to determine the factors and challenges of using volunteers in libraries from the point of view of the librarians of Astan Qods Razavi.

This applied research has been done through grounded theory as a qualitative research method. The statistical population of this research is all librarians of the Organization of Libraries, Museums and Astan Qods Razavi Document Center who have 5 years of experience in librarianship. Sampling was done in a non-probability and purposeful way. The number of members of the sample community was determined based on the criteria of theoretical sampling and considering the theoretical saturation of 36 people. The data collection tool was a structured interview. The collected data was analyzed by content analysis method, Barouch, Strauss and Corbin three-step coding and using MAXQDA software.

The results show that the librarians of Astan Qods consider the presence of volunteers in the organization as essential and this necessity is not only an organizational need but also a social necessity resulting from the desire of the community members to work and be active. They don't know about volunteering and they believe that the presence of volunteers will increase the society's awareness of the organization's goals and, as a result, influence the society on the one hand and improve the knowledge and skills of graduates and those interested in participating in scientific and cultural activities. Also, the results of the research showed that the employees face professional and organizational challenges to support and cooperate with the volunteers and the challenges that are related to the nature of the volunteer activity. Choosing candidates with appropriate academic status and academic resume and involving employees and middle managers will reduce the professional and organizational challenges of employees. Challenges such as considering volunteer work as futile and the temporary presence of volunteers in the organization depend on the nature of volunteer work and need to change the organizational culture, which can be improved by training, communication and holding friendly meetings between employees and volunteers.

Libraries can attract interested and talented volunteers through proper information. Retaining volunteers in the library requires systematic planning to overcome the challenges faced by volunteers, administrators, and staff.