Preferred Characteristics of Medical Library Directors: An Analytical Network Process Modeling for Selection of Recruitment Criteria in Academic Institutions

Abstract The present study aimed to rank the factors affecting the appointment of health library at central libraries of Iranian universities of medical sciences through employing the analytic network process. The statistical population of this applied study comprised the research directors and deputies as well as managers and assistants of central libraries of three universities of medical sciences of whom 12 were selected through the census method. Data were collected via a researcher-made questionnaire and analyzed using the decision-making techniques of ANP in Super Decisions 2.0.8. Results revealed that among criteria related to occupational factors, honesty and integrity obtained a higher rank. Out of the criteria related to organizational factors, familiarity with organizational technology and perception of objectives and strategies were two high-ranked criteria. Finally, from the criteria related to environmental factors, familiarity with the customer was ranked top, while familiarity with economic factors was ranked as the least important determinant. This study was aimed at offering a framework for step-by-step ranking of major criteria in the selection and recruitment of library directors in libraries for health professions education/academic health sciences libraries.