The Personal, Knowledge and Skill Characteristics of Iranian Public Library Librarians in Providing Readers’ Advisory

Objective: This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the level of readiness of librarians in Iranian public libraries to provide readers’ advisory services. Method: This study was conducted using a descriptive-survey method. The statistical population included all librarians working in public libraries under the supervision of the Public Libraries Institution of the country, and a sample of 365 people was selected by convenience sampling method. The research tool was a researcher-made questionnaire with 80 questions that measured readers' consulting competencies in three dimensions: personal characteristics, knowledge, and skills. The data were analyzed using a five-point Likert scale in SPSS. Results: Librarians are at an average level of overall readiness to provide consulting services. In the personal characteristics dimension, librarians were at the above-average level in the components of critical thinking, professional commitment, creative thinking, self-awareness, and non-judgment. In the knowledge dimension, the cultural, legal, evaluation, and development components were at the above-average level, but the process knowledge component was below-average. In the skill dimension, all components were evaluated to be at the above-average level. Conclusion: Based on the results, librarians need to improve their process knowledge and also more develop their skills to provide more effective consulting services.