L.P. Coladangelo

This analysis of an information user group was created for LIS 60030 People in the Information Ecology.  The process for drafting the report began with identifying a particular user group that would have specific information needs and behaviors, and to whom information services would be specially targeted.  Humanities scholars were the chosen user group and were studied in an international context, at both large and small institutional settings, of varying ages, and at different stages in their careers.  A literature review was conducted in three stages, supplemented with theoretical and critical readings on human information behaviors.  In the context of their work, it was found that humanities scholars rely on mostly print-based materials and monograph titles, often conduct interdisciplinary inquiry, and engage in browsing, "grazing," and serendipitous information seeking.  They may have varying levels of comfort and adaptability to digital resources and tools.  These details proved important regarding how to best serve the user group, as libraries and archives traditionally aided the work of humanities scholars by facilitating access to materials and research support.

 

In order to better serve their information needs, it was found information professionals should take on more active and wide-ranging roles in institutional settings, such as being embedded in humanities departments or being part of collaborative digital humanities research teams.  Users were also better served by archives and libraries increasing their remote and digital services, as well as expanding access through digitization and more responsive, automated collection development practices.  Provision of technology instruction to better integrate digital tools into the research habits of students and faculty and infrastructural support for publication, storage, and dissemination of scholarly research were also found to be innovative ways information professionals could meet users' needs.  As a result of the analysis, it was found that while the needs and behaviors of humanities scholars have remained fairly stable, information professionals now have the opportunity to help researchers adapt and thrive in an increasingly digital and global information environment.