Information seeking behavior among public library users: Understanding nature of information searching

Abstract

Aim: The behavior of information seeking is the product of the need perceived by the information user, who makes demands for either formal or non-formal information sources or services, leading to attainment or failure. People look for information and use it to fulfill their assigned task while they engage in information finding activity. As an information providing agency, the mandate of the public library is to meet the needs of the public for information. The primary goal of the public library is therefore to provide information and services in a variety of media to meet the needs of individuals and groups. The Public Library is an organization that, through some other form of communal organization, has established, promoted and funded by society, either local, regional or national, or national government.Methodology: The study is designed to understand the behavior of users of public libraries in Kalutara, Horana, Sri Lanka and research samples comprising users of the one main library and three branch libraries. In this study, the survey method was used to select the participants, and the non-probability sampling method of the convenience sampling method was used. The response rate was 87 percent (n = 348).Findings: It is revealed, based on the current study findings that many public library users belong to communities of young age and students by occupation. Also, results indicate that most of the students were regularly visited by the public library in the metropolitan area of Horana. Their information-search activity therefore is primarily restricted to the curriculum and instructional purposes of the school. Therefore, library programs can be developed on the basis of youth categories.Implications/Novel Contribution: Present study has shown that inadequate material at the library is adversely affected by the way information is found and the use of the public library is obstructed. The current study found that the public library administrations would establish mechanisms for upgrading reading services, updating books, increasing existing capacity, attracting new service members, and offering e-learning resources to improve users’ ability to access information more efficiently. In order to establish a positive approach to consumers, staff should be well trained. The results of this research would provide a thorough understanding of the essence of public library users’ information searching activity. This would help scholars in identifying methodological gaps that they will follow up on in future studies.