Objective: In rural areas, geographical and infrastructural limitations restrict their access to information resources. Public libraries, as accessible community institutions, can play a vital role in meeting these needs. This study aimed to explore librarians’ perspectives on the information needs of pregnant women, the strategies for meeting them, and the barriers involved.
Methodology: This study is applied in terms of its purpose and qualitative in terms of its approach. In terms of its nature and implementation, it employs a case study method. The research was conducted in the cities of Birjand and Darmian in South Khorasan Province. The study population consisted of librarians and administrators of public libraries in these two cities, from whom a total of 15 participants were selected. Purposive sampling was used based on the participants’ knowledge, experience, and relevance to the research topic. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The collected data were analyzed using a three-stage coding process, including open, axial, and selective coding. To ensure the validity of the findings, member checking was employed, and inter-coder agreement was used to establish reliability. Finally, data analysis was carried out using MAXQDA software.
Findings: The results revealed that the information needs of pregnant women fall into three major categories: intrinsic needs (access to diverse resources and educational programs), conscious needs (improvement of skills, household management, and parenting), and formalized needs (knowledge of pregnancy care, childbirth, and health issues). According to librarians, women fulfill these needs through continuous searching, visiting libraries or health centers, using databases, and engaging with health and social networks. However, several obstacles hinder this process, including limited information literacy, personal and family restrictions, financial and welfare difficulties, lack of resources, and inadequate ICT infrastructure.
Conclusion: This study reveals that public libraries in Birjand and Darmian possess substantial potential to meet the information needs of pregnant women, yet their actual contributions remain limited due to structural, cultural, and technological barriers. Women’s information needs are complex and multidimensional, spanning general, skill-based, and medical domains. While women actively seek to fulfill these needs through libraries, health centers, and social networks, systemic barriers hinder effective access. To address these challenges, libraries must be reimagined as socio-health institutions rather than solely cultural centers. This transformation requires several interrelated strategies: integrating library and health services through close collaboration with healthcare organizations to design joint maternal and child health programs; developing systematic health literacy initiatives that enhance pregnant women’s knowledge and self-care capacities; expanding and updating health-related resources in both print and digital formats; strengthening online services to help overcome geographical and cultural barriers; and ensuring sustained financial and institutional policy support to guarantee continuity and impact of such initiatives. From a broader perspective, this research contributes to the literature on the intersection of information science, public health, and women’s studies by providing practical insights for policymakers, librarians, and healthcare professionals aiming to enhance maternal health outcomes. It also highlights directions for future inquiry, including comparative studies in other regions, longitudinal evaluations of library-based interventions, and further exploration of digital platforms for health information dissemination. Ultimately, public libraries, by expanding their mission to include health and social empowerment, can play a transformative role in reducing inequalities, promoting informed decision-making, and supporting the well-being of women, families, and communities.