university libraries

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the university libraries’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and determine their services patterns. Method: This study is a qualitative exploration by collecting data through phone and online interviews of selected heads or assistants of thirteen university libraries. The interview recordings were transcribed with the help of callX software. The content of the interviews was analyzed and coded using MaxQDA software and led to the extraction of 220 initial codes. Findings: Almost all the central libraries of the studied universities limited their in-person services during Covid 19 pandemic but engaged with the users and tried to increase digital and remote services. Revamping their web pages, Flexibility in presenting services, development of information dissemination to users were the most important services and activities that central libraries presented in the pandemic era. Two of the most significant services which they have started during this period are librarian booking and online videoconference interviews with the users. Conclusion: although Covid 19 quickly invaded libraries and reduced the opportunity for a quick response, some of the studied central libraries took advantage of the crisis and provided suitable services to students such as setting up digital reference desks, purchase of software to organize electronic resources in the library, online reference interview with users etc.

Computational aesthetics is a field that combines science and art to explore aesthetic measurement, generative art, and design generation using computational methods. In the context of university library websites, adhering to aesthetic standards, particularly focusing on "moderate visual complexity," could enhance their visibility online (according to some previous studies). This research, analyzed 82 university library websites, including top international and Iranian academic libraries, to assess visual complexity based on Berlyne's theory of stimulus complexity using the Athec Python library. The study found that international university libraries have a complexity of over 0.57, while Iranian academic libraries lack the minimum complexity needed to motivate users. Moreover, the study found significant differences between the library websites of top Iranian and international universities. The linear regression statistic test was used to analyze the relationship between the visual complexity of academic library websites and the rank of the university, revealing a significant difference for the 41 top Iranian universities but not for the 41 top international universities. The Beta coefficient of linear regression between the visual complexity of academic library websites and the rank of the university is -0.502, and Sig=0.001, obtained for the top Iranian universities. On the other hand, the Beta coefficient of linear regression between the visual complexity of academic library websites and the ranks of the university is -0.062, and Sig=0.701, obtained for top international universities. This research highlights the innovation of connecting Berlyne’s theory of stimulus complexity with Python programming, providing a new perspective for university library website managers.