Chapter C

Information Users

Abstract

Users form one of the main pillars of a library or information center. Users have been variously categorized. For providing effective and efficient services, it is necessary to identify the precise needs of the users as also the way they seek information. There are various types of user studies—behavior studies, use studies and information flow studies. Users have different types of needs and there are various methods to identify these needs. A conceptual model for identifying user needs has been proposed by Devadason and Pratap Lingam. The information seeking behavior may also differ from user to user. Several models of seeking information by users have been proposed by expert, like Taylor, Ellis, Kuhlthau, ...

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