Improving and extending activities of university and research libraries in Iran: the role of Iranian Research Institute for Information Science and Technology (Irandoc)

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to define the need to a center for improving and extending university and research libraries in Iran, and identifying capabilities and position of Iranian Research Institute for Science and Technology (Irandoc) for accepting possible roles. Design/methodology/approach This research was documentary with scoping review in which the scope of research defined with internal and external organizational documents, related research studies in National Information System (NATIS) and international successful organizations in this field. Findings Findings show that Irandoc can play roles in developing a standard, establishing experts and professional network, developing information and knowledge sharing process, facilitating access to the scholarly contents, leadership and change management, developing infrastructures for research data management, gathering information and statistics of these libraries and developing interlibrary collaborations in these libraries. Originality/value This research is one of the seldom research studies related to clarification of an organization' role and position in NATIS in universities and improving and also extending activities of university and research libraries in Iran.