Status of Innovation in Central Libraries of Iranian Medical Universities

Background: Librarians need to provide innovative services to different target groups. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the innovation status in the central libraries of Iranian medical universities. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020. The study population consisted of 67 managers of the central libraries in Iranian medical universities. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity was confirmed by experts; its reliability was also confirmed with an alpha coefficient of 0.98. The data analysis was performed with descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS version 24 software. Results: The mean innovation score in the studied libraries was 3.5 ± 0.74 in the dimension of organizational innovation and 3.2 ± 0.73 in service innovation, both of which were relatively desirable. However, the innovation level in the technological dimension was 2.7 ± 0.54, which was a relatively unfavorable situation. There were no significant relationships between gender (P = 0.88, 0.16, 0.17), age (P = 0.287, 0.708, 0.981), education degree (P = 0.561, 0.943, 0.935), work experience (P = 0.284, 0.656, 0.782), and education level (P = 0.605, 0.122, 0.033) and the types of innovation in medical libraries. Conclusions: In the digital era, libraries need to focus on innovation, redefine their plans, do strategic planning to change their roles, and take practical steps to provide services for their users’ needs.