Search behavior is an important field in library
science.
LIS professionals are
responsible for the classification, storage, and retrieval of information.
As each of these areas become more complex,
search behavior and strategies are evolving into more sophisticated exercises
with definable patterns (Ercegovac, 2008).
A person’s search behavior or choice of strategy is based on
four factors: task, time, interest, and
availability (Singer, 2012, p.1). During
a search, one factor can become dominant, affecting both the quality of the
search and the behavior of the searcher.
Rubin (2010) describes one model of search behavior in which
individuals are classified into five different groups: Horizontal Information Seeking, Navigators,
Viewers, Squirreling Behavior, and Checkers.
Other researchers classify the way people search as strategies (Singer,
2012) and classify them as either steps or preferred methods.
Academics focus on two competing models of search behavior
or strategy (Baro, 2010). According to
Ellis (1989) a searcher uses six actions: starting, chaining, browsing,
differentiating, monitoring, and extracting.
Kulthau’s (1994) Information search Process (ISP) utilizes six stages of
searching: initiation, selection,
exploration, formulation, collection, and presentation.
By understanding the way patrons search for information, we
as librarians can tailor our services to meet their needs. Of all the services we offer (eg., reference,
job-search help, reading suggestions) I submit that the task of Information
Literacy is the most important.
Why? With the
proliferation of information now available on the web, most patron searches
begin on the web (Zickuhr, 2012). In
addition, the mission statements of today’s libraries are now focusing on
patron “self-reliance” (USF, 2007; Rubin, 2010). Thus, if more people are becoming more
self-reliant (as opposed to asking a librarian for the information directly)
then I submit that our primary goal should be learning how our patrons search
and our primary service should be helping them understand what is the best
information to use.
References
Baro, E. E., Onyenania, G. O., & Osaheni, O. (2010).
Information seeking behaviour of undergraduate students in the humanities in
three universities in Nigeria. South African Journal of Libraries &
Information Science, 76, 109-117.
Ellis, D. 1989. A behavioral model for information retrieval
system design, journal of Information Science, 15: 237-247.
Ercegovac, Z. (2008). Information Literacy : Search Strategies,
Tools & Resources for High School Students and College Freshmen. Linworth
Pub.
Kuhlhau, CC. 1994. Seeking meaning: a proeess approaeh to
library and information serviees. Nowood, N.J.: Abex.
Lesk, M. (2005). Understanding Digital Libraries. Elsevier.
Rubin, R. E. (2010). Foundations of Library and Information
Science (3rd ed.). New York: Neal-Schuman.
Singer, K., Singer, G., Lepik, K., Norbisrath, U., &
Pruulmann-Vengerfeldt, P. (2012). Search Strategies of Library Search Experts, http://arxiv.org/abs/1206.2465,
accessed on October 28, 2012.
University of South Florida. (2007). USF Libraries Strategic
Plan: 2007-2012. Tampa, Florida.
Zickuhr, K., Rainie, L., Purcell, K., Madden, M., &
Brenner, J. (2012). Libraries, patrons, and e-books. Pew Internet &
American Life Project, June 22, 2012 http://libraries.pewinternet.org/
2012/06/22/libraries-patrons-and-e-books/, accessed on September 9, 2012.
