Explaining the Service Components of Libraries and Information Centers Based on Information Society Criteria and Dimensions of Globalization with Grounded Theory Approach

The purpose of this research was to identify and explain the service components of libraries and information centers based on information society criteria and dimensions of globalization.

This applied qualitative research was conducted using the method of qualitative content analysis, grounded theory, and interview tools. The sampling method was purposeful. The research community consists of 22 experts in library and information science with the specialized field of information society, globalization, and evaluation of library services, with whom a semi-structured interview was conducted.

The findings of the interviews were presented in the form of axial coding and open coding in five sections: causal conditions, strategies, contextual conditions, intervening conditions, and consequences. The core codes for the causal conditions of the service components of libraries and information centers are: economic factors, production and organization of knowledge and information, infrastructural factors, etc. The core codes for the strategies of the service components of libraries and information centers include coordination and integration, planning Strategic, analysis of internal and external environments. The core codes for the background conditions of the service components of libraries and information centers include legal and economic factors, cultural factors, communication, and interactive factors, etc. The core codes for the intervening or modulating conditions of the service components of libraries and information centers are: budget and income factors, socio-cultural diversity, macro and management factors, etc. The core codes for the consequences of the service components of libraries and information centers consist of the development and exchange of communication, the development and strengthening of knowledge management, the strengthening of the library's position, the improvement of infrastructure, differentiated library services, and sustainable development, each of these core codes includes several subcategories (open codes).  

Several factors such as causal conditions, strategies, background conditions, intervening conditions lead to increasing or decreasing the efficiency of academic libraries. This will lead to positive consequences in the progress and development of these libraries if the strengths are strengthened and the weaknesses are eliminated. In this regard, it is expected that according to the criteria set for the information society, they will improve their performance, and according to global dimensions, they should provide a suitable ground for the research and educational activities of professors, students, and researchers. According to the obtained results, it can be said that it is very important for academic libraries and information centers to provide comprehensive services using modern technologies and in accordance with the standards of the information society and global dimensions.