Dissertation Information for Yahya Doustdar NAME: - Yahya Doustdar
DEGREE:
- Ph.D.
DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science
SCHOOL:
- Case Western Reserve University (USA) (1980)
ADVISORS: - Phyllis A. Richmond
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: - Sarah Scott Gibson - Dorothy Melville Sinclair - Patsy A. Gerstner
MPACT Status: Fully Complete
Title: A Design for Cooperation and Networking Among Academic Libraries of Iran
Abstract: The object of the present study has been to develop a method for improving the effectiveness of Iranian academic libraries through cooperation. Since Iran, like most developing countries, has yet to set up sophisticated statistical apparatus, very little official material was available other than reports to the United Nations and UNESCO. These were of very general coverage and did not supply the detail needed for such a study. Therefore, the questionnaire and interview method was chosen to obtain information about the current status (1977) and about attitudes of the librarians and their workplaces, methodologies and profession.
The results confirmed the impression that existing academic libraries were not functioning as well as they might be. Gradual general changes appeared to be a potential solution, particularly with respect to cooperation and joint action. The results reported in this study indicated that:
- Collections of monographs and serials were not extensive enough to support full-scale research, although they were being augmented at a rate ensuring rapid growth.
-Operations were slow and access to the recorded knowledge was less than optimal.
-Manpower resources, including professionals, were lacking in number and quality.
- Lack of coordination and cooperation between universities and their libraries hampered them in fulfilling their educational goals and objectives.
An overall plan with the following features was devised:
A. Cooperative Acquisition
- A National Copyright System to protect authors and publishers; - A National Book Depository System to secure widespread availability of Iranian publications; - A National Bibliography of all published products of the Iranian book industry.
These, in turn, would call for:
- A National Register of Copyrights; - A National Bibliography; - A combined Publisher's Trade List (also critical reviews, books-in-print records, and so forth).
Regional Acquisitions and Processing Centers were suggested for each major university in four regions of the country to house Regional Union Catalogs.
A National Committee on Collection Development was proposed in order to develop a National Cooperative Collection Development Policy and Programs for Academic Libraries.
B. Centralized and Cooperative Cataloging
Shared cataloging, joint catalogs, possibly with centralized processing, were suggested.
Two plans, called "A" and "B" have been developed and recommended for a Joint Regional Union Catalog and for a Central Processing and Cataloging Agency in the four Regional Centers in different parts of the country.
A National Committee for Cooperative Cataloging also recommended to negotiate, determine and enforce rules and formats to be used, and to study future developments. General usage of the International Standard Bibliographic Description (ISBD) was highly recommended, provided it could be implemented in Farsi.
C. Expansion of Library Services
Agreements should be sought for establishment of a unified and cooperative Center for Joint Bibliographic Services, to house and service union catalogs, current publishing output and the proposed Iranian and other national bibliographies, and to achieve rapid location and access to books and other resources through inter-library loan services. Point-to-point computer communications via a common carrier, such as telephone lines, were recommended.
D. Cooperative Manpower Resources
For obtaining qualified personnel to staff and manage the growing academic libraries, possible solutions included
- Cooperative programs for in-service training; - Well-designed and well-run workshops in pertinent subjects. - Cooperation of library schools for curriculum reform and improved courses, in order to provide personnel with training for the optimum operation.
Obviously, for the future of Iranian libraries, more research and many experiments are needed to modify and improve this initial plan. It will take much hard work. The effect, however, should prove well worth the effort.
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MPACT Scores for Yahya Doustdar A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:01:17
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