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Library and its Users Jovita Kaur, Lovely Professional University

Notes
Unit 3: Library Information Needs of Users

CONTENTS

Objectives

Introduction
3.1 Information Seeking Behavior

3.2 Wilson’s Nested Model of Conceptual Areas
3.3 Summary

3.4 Keywords
3.5 Review Questions

3.6 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:
• Know about the information needs of users
• Understand the information seeking behavior
• Discuss the Wilson’s nested model of conceptual areas.

Introduction

Many disciplines in science are heavily researched, thus topics are changing in a rapid manner. Also,
the literature in science and technology is growing at an exponential rate; therefore, it has become
essential to assess the information needs of the users periodically to customize value-added services
and resources. In a science and technology library, collection development is the third important
function out of five primary functions.
The collection development function entirely depends on the mission and goals of the parent body
in respect to the research, educational, recreational and other day-to-day information requirements
of the users that it serves. It determines the library collection’s scope and depth, and the services
offered. Traditional methods of collection development are: use of librarian or user subject specialists,
user recommendations, and approval plans. The information requirements of users vary with their
educational background, work assignments, time, geography, organization, age, availability of
technological facilities, and other factors. To identify user information needs, librarians conduct
surveys, distribute questionnaires, interview, and also analyze the circulation data, external and

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