Future Research on the Impact of Big Data on the Management and Services of Iranian Public Libraries and Presenting a Strategic Model.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is the futurology of big data management in public libraries affiliated with the Iran Public Libraries Foundation in the 21st century. It has also presented a strategic model. Research Method: This is a futurology study using a mixed-method that includes the Delphi technique in three rounds and the Survey method. The statistical population of the Delphi panel consists of 20 managers and experts of information science and information technology, employed in the Iran Public Libraries Foundation. Based on the Delphi Panel Consensus Questionnaire, 77 experts in provincial centers were selected based on Morgan's table. They were asked about the priorities of big data usage and their certainty and uncertainty by comparing the current and future situations. Then, the optimal strategic model is proposed using confirmatory factor analysis. 30 questionnaire items were confirmed in terms of two relative content validity coefficients (CVR) and content validity index (CVI) and the reliability of the questionnaire was calculated based on Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 86%. Findings: Currently, the Iran Public Libraries Foundation uses few amounts of big data. Using big data enables quick access to updated data and providing and producing data in different formats and from different sources. The necessities of using big data according to the experts' views are providing data analysis tools, information integration infrastructures, and connecting public libraries, providing the costs associated with powerful servers and equipment, and updating the knowledge and skills of librarians. Originality: This study uses futurology to examine the big data in public libraries and present a strategic model for big data management in foundation public libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]