A digital reference desk for the National Library of Iran: A prototype based on content analysis of the digital reference desks of the world's national libraries

Abstract

Purpose

This survey aims to provide an appropriate prototype for the Digital Reference Desk of the National Library of Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a content analysis method, 33 digital reference desks of the national libraries around the world which offer their services in English are examined. A checklist was used to gather data based on specialists' points of view.

Findings

The findings show that specialists suggested 21 features were important and crucial to be included in the model.

Originality/value

The results in the paper reveal that there is a considerable difference between the present situation of the digital reference desks studied and the optimum situation suggested by Iranian specialists.

Citation

Osareh, F., Bigdeli, Z., Mansouri, A. and Akbar Khasseh, A. (2009), "A digital reference desk for the National Library of Iran: A prototype based on content analysis of the digital reference desks of the world's national libraries", Reference Services Review, Vol. 37 No. 2, pp. 221-233. https://doi.org/10.1108/00907320910957242