The role of rural libraries in preserving the indigenous knowledge of rural residents. The case of South Khorasan Province

Published date09 July 2018
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-12-2017-0044
Date09 July 2018
Pages245-256
AuthorSolmaz Forutnani,Mohsen Nowkarizi,Mohammad Reza Kiani,Hamid Reza Mokhtari Aski
Subject MatterPublic policy & environmental management,Environmental technology & innovation
The role of rural libraries in
preserving the indigenous
knowledge of rural residents
The case of South Khorasan Province
Solmaz Forutnani
Information Technology and Scientific Services Department,
South Khorasan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center,
AREEO, Birjand, Iran
Mohsen Nowkarizi
Department of Knowledge and Information Science,
Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
Mohammad Reza Kiani
Department of Knowledge and Information Science,
Birjand University, Birjand, Iran, and
Hamid Reza Mokhtari Aski
Imam Khomeini Higher Education Center, AREEO, Karaj, Iran
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the potential or actual role of rural libraries in
preserving indigenous knowledge (IK) of the rural residents in South Khorasan province.
Design/methodology/approach The study, based on a qualitative research, was carried out by
employing the grounded theory method. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews from the research
sample population which included 20 rural males, 10 rural females, 8 librarians and 3 well-informed regional
IK specialists. The validity of the research was confirmed by peer evaluation, compounded by detailed
thorough explanations and external reviewersreaffirmations.
Findings The rural residents of the South Khorasan villages across the province, after having realized the
vitality of carrying out this project, were fully motivated and cooperative to provide indigenous knowledge.
On the basis of the results from the rural libraries,due to being the solitary knowledge center in the area, these
libraries could actively participate in preserving the knowledge and contribute toward the documentation of
the indigenous knowledge. This required motivating librarians and increasing their professional, technical,
research and verbal skills.The results of the study indicated that, even if the rural libraries of the South
Khorasan province did not participate in documentation, preservation, and promotion of the IK and opt for
the present form of non-participation, due to their inherent nature, they could become a focal point and play
an indispensable role in achieving the objectives by aiding and leading the process at country level and
become a focal point for the new generations of rural inhabitants to enlighten themselves and become fully
aware of the value of the ancestral knowledge.
Originality/value Hitherto, none of the researchers in Iran has covered the role of the libraries in general
and rural libraries in particular in preserving the indigenous knowledge.
Keywords Documentation, Grounded theory, Indigenous knowledge, Preservation, Rural libraries
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Indigenous knowledge (IK) is directly associated with the culture of a region, theevolution
of which encompasses its entire history. The kind of knowledge has had interactions and
transactions with the world outside its geographical area, and adapting itself dynamically
andsystematicallywiththeinternalandexternal evolutions and changes. Because of its
holistic and comprehensive characteristics, IK has helped local communities to meet their
World Journal of Science,
Technology and Sustainable
Development
Vol. 15 No. 3, 2018
pp. 245-256
© Emerald PublishingLimited
2042-5945
DOI10.1108/WJSTSD-12-2017-0044
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2042-5945.htm
245
Indigenous
knowledge of
rural residents

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