Library Trends: Connecting

Information Seeking Theory to Human-Computer

Interactions

Library Trends: Connecting

Information Seeking Theory to Human-Computer

Interactions by Jan Tillotsonby Jan Tillotson

Information Search Process

“Information technology has brought about major societal changes by producing vast amounts of information in a rapidly changing environment… The confrontation between the uncertain person and the certain system requires serious attention by librarians” (Kuhlthau, 2004, p. 209)

In today’s information rich society, it is very important for librarians to help their patrons determine how to narrow down the information to an acceptable level. Kuhlthau suggests the need for Information Professionals (IPs) to “redefine their role in the information age… [and to provide] services and systems that enable seeking meaning within an increasing amount of information”. The IP not only provides access to the information, but also serves people by “[facilitating] understanding, problem solving, and decision-making in the process of seeking meaning” (Kulthau, 2004, p. 209)

Theory applied to Information Search

ProcessPHASES DEFINITION

Suggestion Doubt due to incomplete situation

Intellectualization Conceptualizing the problem

Guiding idea (hypothesis) Tentative interpretation

Reasoning Interpretation with more precise facts

Action Idea tested by overt or imaginative actionFigure: 1 Dewey—Phases of Reflective Thinking (Kuhlthau, 2004, p. 17)

“In the five phases of reflective experience (Table 1), Dewey (1933) describes the dynamic role that the individual plays in the process of using information for learning. Extensive thinking and reflection are an integral part of the information-seeking process” (Kuhlthau, 2004, p.16). With the vast amount of information that is available, the modern information seeker has to diffuse and evaluate the information in rapid manner. Technology, when used properly, can allow individuals to take a suggestion or idea that has been conceptualized and use the computer to provide the guidance for their tentative interpretation. The information then should be contemplated upon to provide focus for precision.

Information Searching is like Putting a puzzle togetherThe various pieces of information must be put together to make up a complete puzzle. Information diffused through technology is given in chunks. Piece by piece the information is compiled to give a complete answer.

Not all of the information needed could be found on one website, in article, or from source. Technology can be used as a guide to narrow down the search terms. Information seekers frequently need time to let the information sink in. Information searching is like puzzle. When the search is complete, all the pieces fit together nicely, like a beautiful picture.

Ozstuff. (2011, April 6). Ozstuff's 100 themes [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://ozstuffshundred.blogspot.com/2011/04/100-themes-challenge-98-puzzle.html

Technology Trends in Libraries

Mobile Access eReaders

Social Networking QR codes

“[Digital Libraries] have changed the way humans interact with information, for, as long as there is an internet connection available and the user has an

appropriate access device, the requested information can be accessed from anywhere at

anytime” (Kani-Zabihi, 2006, p. 396).

Mobile Access• OCLC Local

• Instant Messaging (IM)

• Geotagging

• Access My Library Database

• Card Catalog Searching. Library Apps

Ready Reference

• Using visual tutorials to explain reference services.

• Mobile applications are some of the tools utilized for quick reference.

• Information can be fun.

TSTPL Pedia (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

eReaders• iPad

• iPhone

• Tablet

• Smart phones

• Android

“[H]uman activity is highly flexible, nuanced, and contextualized and that

computational entities such as information sharing, roles, and social norms need to be similarly flexible,

nuanced, and contextualized” (Ackerman, 2000, p.179).

Social NetworkingTwitter-Communication tool based on short messages called “Tweets”. This is a micro-blog service in which people write updates that are 140 characters or less. They are posted to a blog and sent to your followers helping librarians to stay connected with patrons.

Facebook-This private social networking site that is based on inviting and encouraging friends to connect. Depending upon the privacy settings, interactions are limited to friends.

Wikis-Website that enables people to add, delete or edit information. This is used as a collaboration tool between librarians, staff, and patrons. www.libsuccess.org

Social Networking “Whatever your patrons’ third place, consider how you can provide services there… Libraries not only should examine how social software can improve services to their patrons, but they should also consider how these tools can improve internal communication and collaboration” (Farkas, 2007,

p. 8)

““Social networks [are not] going Social networks [are not] going away, and the future of the Web away, and the future of the Web in general is going to be largely in general is going to be largely social: libraries need to be a social: libraries need to be a vibrant part of that futurevibrant part of that future”” (Griffey, 2010, p.37).

Wikis“As libraries are, by nature, collaborative work environments-library staff working together and with patrons-and as digital libraries and computer technologies become increasingly prevalent, there is a natural fit between [computer-supported cooperative work] and libraries” (Bejune, 2007, p.27).

In today’s marketplace where people are inundated with messages, it becomes all about choices. Where do people choose to meet with their peers and discuss things? Usually online in one of the social networking sites available. As Griffey says, the social atmosphere of the Web is not going away and therefore libraries need to harness these avenues for their good. Libraries are looking for new ways to advocate for themselves and social networking is a wonderful way that is currently being used to promote the library.

Information Trends Cloud Storage

“In the past 5 years, cloud computing has gone from an abstract idea to state-of-the-art storage, transforming the way organizations structure their information services and making ubiquitous just-in-time (JIT) information a reality. Untethered from landlines, users can connect to information, entertainment, communication, and networking at the click of a key on a laptop, netbook, and –increasingly—cellphones, tablets and PDAs.” (Hether, 2011, p. 7)

Andrew McLaughlin, Google’s head of global public policy and government affairs, believes that “one of the most important transformations the federal government will go through in the next decade is what’s called a shift to cloud computing; treating computer storage and processing like a commodity—like water or electricity—and allowing people to build applications on top of the infrastructure in a very flexible, open, and powerful way. Mobile apps represent one of the first, major development trends in this cloud environment. “A move towards clouds signals a fundamental shift in how we handle information,” notes Stephen Baker in a recent Bloomberg Businessweek piece. “At the most basic level, it’s the computing equivalent of the evolution in electricity a century ago when farms and businesses shut down their own generators and bought power instead from efficient industrial utilities.” (Hether, 2011,pps. 8-9).

Conclusion

“The problem with predictions of a wired nirvana is that they fail to take account of our predominant human characteristic: sociability”

“Because communication is about more than text messages, the authors say. It is about the trust that comes from dealing with people face-to-face, from observing the gestures, body movements and facial expressions that accompany speech. Would you employ someone on the basis of an interview conducted by e-mail, or finance a start-up without meeting its principals?”

Skapinker, M. (2000, Mar 27). Technology versus the human touch: Computers have changed the world but their impact is limited by our need for social interactionl: Financial Times, pp. 21. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/248769852?accountid=34741 View this document in

ProQuest

References

Bejune, M. (2007). Wikis in libraries. Information Technology and Libraries, 26(3), 26-38.

Dowd, N. (2010, October 12). Library videos - the best of... Retrieved from http://libraryvideos.blogspot.com/

D’Silva, P. (n.d.). Twitter logo [Public domain], http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons1/1b/Twitter_Badge_1.png via Wikimedia Commons

Eichenlaub, N., Gabel, L., Jakubek, D., McCarthy, G., & Wang, W. (2011). Project iPad. Computers in Libraries, 31(7), 17-21.

Farkas, M.G. (2007). Social Software in Libraries. Medford, NJ: Information Today, Inc.

Ferreira, D. (n.d.). Facebook logo. [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Griffey, J. (2010). Social networking and the library. Library Technology Reports, 46(8), 34-37.

ReferencesHerther, N. (2011). From Cloud to Mobile: Drawing Down Big Info Into Little Apps. Computers in Libraries, 31(7), 6-11.

Kani-Zabihi, E., Digital libraries: What do users want? Online Information Review, 30(4), 395-412.

Kim, J. (2012). Cover picture: Computers.

Kuhlthau, C. C. (2004). 2nd Ed. Seeking meaning: A process approach to library and information services. Westport, CN: Libraries Unlimited.

Ozstuff. (2011, April 6). Ozstuff's 100 themes [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://ozstuffshundred.blogspot.com/2011/04/100-themes-challenge-98-puzzle.html

Skapinker, M. (2000, Mar 27). Technology versus the human touch: Computers have changed the world but their impact is limited by our need for social interaction: Financial Times, pp. 21-21.

Tillotson, J. (2012). Pictures: Clouds, iPad, iPhone, and QRCode.

TSTPL Pedia (Own work). Encyclopedia Britannica Picture. [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), via Wikimedia Commons

Zylstra, R. (2011). A Mobile Application for Discovery. Computers in Libraries, 31(2), 11-14.