PurposeThis research aims at conducting a survey of web‐based services offered by Asian national libraries.Design/methodology/approachTo do this, 23 accessible and English language web sites of national libraries in Asia were studied. Direct observation and a checklist including six general services were used for data collection and data evaluation, respectively. In order to determine the detailed services provided by national library web sites, five web sites of the greatest and historical national libraries in the world with appropriate geographical distribution were taken into account.FindingsNational Library of Singapore had the first rank in providing its services via a web site for users and was the only national library in Asia that provides more than half of its services (52.29 per cent) via the web site. The national libraries of seven countries: Japan, Malaysia, China, Iran, Israel, Seri Lanka, and Kyrgyzstan provide web‐based services in the range of 25‐50 per cent, respectively in descending order. And the web sites of Asian national libraries (ANLs) were far from ideal and optimal as an online service provider.Practical implicationsAsian National Libraries must use the web facilities for achievement of their target goals and provision of their information services in the best manner. It is also suggested that these libraries should make high use of both traditional library tools like bibliographies and web‐based ones including web forms, chat, videoconferences, and so forth to meet their goals and ideals.Originality/valueThis study provides a unique insight into the situation of provision of web‐based services offered by national libraries in selected Asian countries.

PurposeThis study aims to evaluates the existing and potential facilities in Iranian Islamic Sciences Centers (ISCs), including information resources, budget, human resources and facilities. It identifies the views of Center managers in order to find grounds for cooperation and collaboration and to develop communication and information exchanges between the Centers.Design/methodology/approachThe population of this research includes all 123 ISCs in Iran. Questionnaires were distributed in a three‐month interval (August to October, 2008). The data were analyzed using SPSS software (Version 16).FindingsThe findings show that ISCs support the establishment of a network and would join it; however, lack of professionals in the informatics and network development, lack of in‐service training facilities, lack of financial and facilities, lack of access to the resources of other centers and the absence of fast exchange of information are among the problems that need much attention.Practical implicationsTo establish the network, three issues should be considered, i.e. human resources, budget, and facilities of the centers.Originality/valueThe paper can serve as a driver to improve the efficiency in ISCs through establishing an information network to serve them.

No abstract

Background and Objectives: Nowadays, virtual social networks play a significant role in the exchange of health information and promotion of health. Moreover, they provide a good opportunity to create a suitable and comprehensive platform for dissemination and sharing of information and increase the quality of health care services in form of health information social networks. Given the high costs required to implement and provide services based on new technologies, it is necessary to reduce the unnecessary costs through the design and presentation of a model. This study aimed to provide a model for the health information social network.Methods: This study was an analytical survey. The components of the proposed network were identified through the review of the literature based on the exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA). The statistical population included 380 faculty members of medical universities. The data were analyzed using SPSS Amos software (version 19). Results:Based on the obtained EFA results, the proposed network had six dimensions that accounted for 80% of the variance of the components of the health information social network model. The CFA results confirmed the good fit of the model as well. Conclusion:The study results demonstrated that the obtained model was an appropriate and comprehensive platform and would provide appropriate services in form of a health information social network.