Journal Articles

A study of the information needs of the users of a folk music library and the implications for the design of a digital library system

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A qualitative study of user information needs is reported, based on a purposive sample of users and potential users of the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library, a small specialist folk music library in North London. The study set out to establish what the users’ (both existing and potential) information needs are, so that the library’s online service may take them into account with its design. The information needs framework proposed by Nicholas [Nicholas, D. (2000) Assessing information needs: tools, techniques and concepts for the internet age. London: ASLIB] is used as an analytical tool to achieve this end. The demographics of the users were examined in order to establish four user groups: Performer, Academic, Professional and Enthusiast. Important information needs were found to be based on social interaction, and key resources of the library were its staff, the concentration of the collection and the library’s social nature. A collection of broad design requirements are proposed based on the analysis and this study also provides some insights into the issue of musical relevance, which are discussed.

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Detail Information

Series Title

Information Processing & Management

Call Number

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Publisher

s.l. : Elsevier., 2008

Collation

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Language

English

ISBN/ISSN

0306-4573

Classification

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Content Type

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Media Type

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Carrier Type

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Edition

Vol. 44, No. 2, Page 647-662

Subject(s)

User information needs
Qualitative interviews
Folk music
Digital library design
Musical relevance

Specific Detail Info

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