نوع مقاله : مقاله مروری
نویسندگان
1 دانشجوی دکتری علم اطلاعات و دانششناسی، دانشکده علوم تربیتی و روانشناسی، دانشگاه شهیدچمران اهواز
2 دانشیار گروه علم اطلاعات و دانششناسی دانشگاه شهید چمران اهواز، اهواز، ایران
3 گروه علم اطلاعات و دانششناسی، دانشکده علوم تربیتی و روانشناسی، دانشگاه شهید چمران اهواز
4 گروه علم اطلاعات و دانششناسی، دانشکده مدیریت، دانشگاه تهران، تهران
چکیده
کلیدواژهها
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
Purpose: This study aims to identify the gaps in the provision of health information services in public libraries. It seeks to examine the existing shortcomings and limitations in infrastructure, human resources, policies, supportive frameworks, and cultural considerations, in order to provide guidance for improving the quality and effectiveness of health information services in public libraries. Additionally, the study emphasizes understanding how these gaps affect diverse user groups, including vulnerable populations, and aims to offer evidence-based recommendations for designing more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable health information services that meet the evolving needs of communities, ultimately supporting public libraries in playing a more proactive and strategic role in public health promotion.
Method: The study was conducted using a systematic literature review based on the Kitchenham and Charters framework. This framework emphasizes transparency, rigor, and replicability, guiding the systematic identification, selection, and analysis of sources. After defining domestic and international databases and developing search queries, systematic searches were carried out and relevant sources were retrieved. During the screening stage, duplicate, irrelevant, or inaccessible sources were removed, and inclusion and exclusion criteria, including topic, language, and study type, were applied. Ultimately, 63 sources—54 in English and 9 in Persian—were included in the analysis. Data were extracted using a checklist tool and, after review and summarization, were organized and analyzed in tables according to the study’s main themes, ensuring clarity and coherence. This method enabled the precise identification of gaps and missing elements in the delivery of health information services in public libraries, while also highlighting recurring patterns, contextual factors, and potential areas for policy and practice improvement.
Findings: The results indicate that public libraries face significant weaknesses and gaps across several key dimensions in providing health information services. In terms of infrastructure and human resources, insufficient equipment and IT facilities, outdated and inadequate information resources, and limited training and specialized skills among librarians restrict patrons’ access to reliable information and reduce service quality. Furthermore, limited communication skills and health literacy among staff decrease their ability to meet users’ informational needs, particularly for vulnerable groups. Regarding supportive frameworks and policies, the lack of integrated policies, unclear missions and strategies in national and regional documents, insufficient funding and sustainable financial resources, and limited organizational collaboration with health institutions have led to service fragmentation, inefficiency, and reduced program effectiveness. The dimension of social equity and cultural considerations also exhibits gaps, including digital divides, restricted access for vulnerable populations, low health literacy and language-specific resources, and insufficient attention to cultural differences and local beliefs, limiting equitable and appropriate access to health information. These limitations particularly affect groups in need, such as the elderly, children, people with disabilities, and residents in underserved areas. The findings suggest that improving infrastructure, updating information resources, continuous librarian training and empowerment, developing integrated policies and educational programs, and seriously addressing equity and cultural considerations are essential for enhancing the quality, access, and effectiveness of health information services in public libraries, while fostering community trust, engagement, and overall public health outcomes.
Conclusion: The study concludes that despite their significant potential in promoting health literacy, public libraries face serious limitations and challenges in delivering health information services. Weak infrastructure and technology, lack of up-to-date and reliable resources, insufficient training and capacity-building for librarians, absence of integrated policies and financial support, and limited access for different population groups were identified as the main barriers. These limitations reduce both the quality and effectiveness of services and hinder equitable access to health information. To enhance the performance of public libraries and strengthen their role in promoting community health literacy, it is crucial to improve infrastructure and resources, provide continuous training and empowerment of staff, establish integrated supportive policies and programs, and incorporate social equity and cultural considerations in service design and delivery. Implementing these measures can improve equitable and effective access to health information, enhance service quality, foster greater community engagement, and reinforce the role of public libraries as key institutions in the health information system.
کلیدواژهها [English]
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