Evaluation of Digital Libraries at Allameh Tabataba’i University and Tebyan Cultural Institute Based on the Xie and Joo Digital Library Evaluation Criteria

This descriptive survey evaluates the digital libraries of Allameh Tabataba’i University and Tebyan Cultural Institute based on the Xie and Joo (2013) digital library evaluation criteria. A checklist was made based on information from 10 structural dimensions of digital library evaluation criteria. It was then set up as a researcher-made questionnaire based on the Xie and Joo digital library evaluation criteria. To collect data, questionnaires were distributed among librarians and users of the two digital libraries. Sixty-three valid responses were collected and analysed with SPSS software .Findings showed that the two digital libraries were in a moderate condition in two dimensions (user engagement and context); and in good condition in the others. The findings of the inferential statistics show that there is no significant difference between users’ and employees’ viewpoints on the dimensions of the digital collection, interface design, context, preservation and administration (sustainability). However, regarding the information organization and services (level 0.01), the dimensions of technology and the effects on the user (level 0.02), there is a significant difference between the two systems in terms of the user engagement dimension with the relative superiority of Allameh Tabataba’i digital library.The results show that despite the differences in the type of these two libraries, there is not much difference between the studied dimensions (other than those mentioned in the findings), but in some dimensions, there is a slight difference between the respondents' opinions. It is seen with the relative and partial superiority of Allameh Tabataba’i digital library.