Subject speciality studies at university libraries in Turkey

Libraries are one of the most important centers that are considered as one of the basic components of universities and should be used in research processes. University libraries are the units that carry out the task of providing the current and scientific information required within the education system as the main actor. Subject specialization is in an important place among whole library services. The study is prepared to examine the development of subject specialization in university libraries and to get awareness assessment among the librarians. In addition, the subject guidance sub-area, which is one of the important areas of subject specialization activities, has also been examined in the study. Data on the attitudes and behaviors of librarians regarding this activity were compiled and evaluations were made on these data. The findings of the study were prepared by analyzing the data compiled with the survey technique. The survey was sent to three hundred thirteen librarians serving the two hundred and six university libraries in Turkey. One hundred and fifteen librarians in a hundred libraries contributed to the study by filling out the questionnaire. As a result of the evaluations on the data, it was understood that the subject specialization studies were insufficient in the university libraries and the course content related to the subject specialization is not included in the undergraduate and above course curricula. It has been understood that factors such as personnel, budget and executive attitude are important in the development of subject specialization. In addition, it has been revealed that the best activities in subject specialization are carried out by foundation universities. In line with these results, it was realized that staff and budget problems should be eliminated in university libraries. Training programs should be developed for more qualified services in the field of subject specialization and librarians should benefit from these programs. In addition, it is important to give subject specialization training and / or to add course contents in related programs at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level.