This document discusses how information seeking has changed with new technologies and the importance of libraries adapting to remain relevant. It covers several key points: 1) The rise of digital information has created new challenges for information seekers to evaluate and make sense of vast amounts of data. 2) Libraries must help patrons navigate this environment by facilitating understanding, problem-solving and decision making. 3) Emerging technologies like mobile access, eReaders, social networking and cloud storage are shifting how users interact with information and each other. 4) Libraries are exploring new tools and platforms like apps, tutorials and social media to engage patrons wherever they are accessing information.

1. Library Trends:
Connecting
Information Seeking Theory to
Human-Computer Interactions
by Jan Tillotson

2. Information Search
Process
“Information technology has brought about major societal
changes by producing vast amounts of information in a rapidly
changing environment… The confrontation between the
uncertain person and the certain system requires serious
attention by librarians” (Kuhlthau, 2004, p. 209)

3. In today’s information rich society, it is very
important for librarians to help their patrons
determine how to narrow down the information to
an acceptable level. Kuhlthau suggests the need for
Information Professionals (IPs) to “redefine their
role in the information age… [and to provide]
services and systems that enable seeking meaning
within an increasing amount of information”. The IP
not only provides access to the information, but also
serves people by “[facilitating] understanding,
problem solving, and decision-making in the process
of seeking meaning” (Kulthau, 2004, p. 209)

4. Theory applied to
Information Search
Process
PHASES DEFINITION
Suggestion Doubt due to incomplete situation
Intellectualization Conceptualizing the problem
Guiding idea (hypothesis) Tentative interpretation
Reasoning Interpretation with more precise facts
Action Idea tested by overt or imaginative action
Figure: 1 Dewey—Phases of Reflective Thinking (Kuhlthau, 2004, p. 17)
“In the five phases of reflective experience (Table 1), Dewey (1933) describes the dynamic role that the individual
plays in the process of using information for learning. Extensive thinking and reflection are an integral part of the
information-seeking process” (Kuhlthau, 2004, p.16). With the vast amount of information that is available, the
modern information seeker has to diffuse and evaluate the information in rapid manner. Technology, when used
properly, can allow individuals to take a suggestion or idea that has been conceptualized and use the computer to
provide the guidance for their tentative interpretation. The information then should be contemplated upon to
provide focus for precision.

5. Information Searching is like
Putting a puzzle together
The various pieces of information must be put together to make up a complete puzzle.
Information diffused through technology is given in chunks. Piece by piece the information is
compiled to give a complete answer.
Not all of the information needed could be found on one website, in article, or from source. Technology can be
used as a guide to narrow down the search terms. Information seekers frequently need time to let the
information sink in. Information searching is like puzzle. When the search is complete, all the pieces fit together
nicely, like a beautiful picture.
Ozstuff. (2011, April 6). Ozstuff's 100 themes [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://ozstuffshundred.blogspot.com/2011/04/100-themes-challenge-98-puzzle.html

6. Technology Trends
in Libraries
“[Digital Libraries] have changed the way humans interact with
information, for, as long as there is an internet connection
available and the user has an appropriate access device, the
requested information can be accessed from anywhere at
anytime” (Kani-Zabihi, 2006, p. 396).
Mobile Access eReaders
Social Networking QR codes

7. Mobile Access
•OCLC Local
•Instant Messaging (IM)
•Geotagging
•Access My Library Database
•Card Catalog Searching.
Library Apps

8. Ready Reference
•Using visual tutorials to explain reference services.
•Mobile applications are some of the tools utilized
for quick reference.
•Information can be fun.
TSTPL Pedia (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

9. eReaders
“[H]uman activity is highly flexible, nuanced,
•iPad and contextualized and that computational
entities such as information sharing, roles,
and social norms need to be similarly flexible,
•iPhone nuanced, and contextualized” (Ackerman, 2000,
p.179).
•Tablet
•Smart phones
•Android

10. Social Networking
Twitter-Communication tool based on short
messages called “Tweets”. This is a micro-blog
service in which people write updates that are 140
characters or less. They are posted to a blog and
sent to your followers helping librarians to stay
connected with patrons.
Facebook-This private social networking site that is
based on inviting and encouraging friends to connect.
Depending upon the privacy settings, interactions are
limited to friends.
Wikis-Website that enables people to add, delete or
edit information. This is used as a collaboration tool
between librarians, staff, and patrons. www.libsuccess.org

11. Social Networking
“Whatever your patrons’ third place, consider how
you can provide services there… Libraries not only
should examine how social software can improve
services to their patrons, but they should also
consider how these tools can improve internal
communication and collaboration” (Farkas, 2007, p. 8)
“Social networks [are not] going away,
and the future of the Web in general is
going to be largely social: libraries need
to be a vibrant part of that future” (Griffey,
2010, p.37).

12. Wikis
“As libraries are, by nature, collaborative work environments-library
staff working together and with patrons-and as digital libraries and
computer technologies become increasingly prevalent, there is a natural
fit between [computer-supported cooperative work] and libraries” (Bejune,
2007, p.27).
In today’s marketplace where people are inundated with messages, it
becomes all about choices. Where do people choose to meet with their
peers and discuss things? Usually online in one of the social networking
sites available. As Griffey says, the social atmosphere of the Web is not
going away and therefore libraries need to harness these avenues for
their good. Libraries are looking for new ways to advocate for
themselves and social networking is a wonderful way that is currently
being used to promote the library.

13. Information Trends Cloud
Storage
“In the past 5 years, cloud computing has gone from an abstract idea to state-of-the-art
storage, transforming the way organizations structure their information services and
making ubiquitous just-in-time (JIT) information a reality. Untethered from landlines,
users can connect to information, entertainment, communication, and networking at the
click of a key on a laptop, netbook, and –increasingly—cellphones, tablets and PDAs.”
(Hether, 2011, p. 7)
Andrew McLaughlin, Google’s head of global public policy and government affairs,
believes that “one of the most important transformations the federal government will
go through in the next decade is what’s called a shift to cloud computing; treating
computer storage and processing like a commodity—like water or electricity—and
allowing people to build applications on top of the infrastructure in a very flexible,
open, and powerful way. Mobile apps represent one of the first, major development
trends in this cloud environment. “A move towards clouds signals a fundamental shift
in how we handle information,” notes Stephen Baker in a recent Bloomberg
Businessweek piece. “At the most basic level, it’s the computing equivalent of the
evolution in electricity a century ago when farms and businesses shut down their own
generators and bought power instead from efficient industrial utilities.” (Hether,
2011,pps. 8-9).

14. Conclusion
“The problem with predictions of a wired nirvana is that they fail
to take account of our predominant human characteristic:
sociability”
“Because communication is about more than text messages, the
authors say. It is about the trust that comes from dealing with
people face-to-face, from observing the gestures, body movements
and facial expressions that accompany speech. Would you employ
someone on the basis of an interview conducted by e-mail, or
finance a start-up without meeting its principals?”
Skapinker, M. (2000, Mar 27). Technology versus the human touch: Computers have changed the world but their impact is limited by our need for social interactionl: Financial Times,
pp. 21. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/248769852?accountid=34741 View this document in ProQuest

15. References
Bejune, M. (2007). Wikis in libraries. Information Technology and Libraries, 26(3), 26-38.
Dowd, N. (2010, October 12). Library videos - the best of... Retrieved from http://libraryvideos.blogspot.com/
D’Silva, P. (n.d.). Twitter logo [Public domain], http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons1/1b/Twitter_Badge_1.png
via Wikimedia Commons
Eichenlaub, N., Gabel, L., Jakubek, D., McCarthy, G., & Wang, W. (2011). Project iPad. Computers in Libraries, 31(7),
17-21.
Farkas, M.G. (2007). Social Software in Libraries. Medford, NJ: Information Today, Inc.
Ferreira, D. (n.d.). Facebook logo. [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia
Commons
Griffey, J. (2010). Social networking and the library. Library Technology Reports, 46(8), 34-37.

16. References
Herther, N. (2011). From Cloud to Mobile: Drawing Down Big Info Into Little Apps. Computers in Libraries, 31(7), 6-11.
Kani-Zabihi, E., Digital libraries: What do users want? Online Information Review, 30(4), 395-412.
Kim, J. (2012). Cover picture: Computers.
Kuhlthau, C. C. (2004). 2nd Ed. Seeking meaning: A process approach to library and information services. Westport, CN:
Libraries Unlimited.
Ozstuff. (2011, April 6). Ozstuff's 100 themes [Web log message]. Retrieved from
http://ozstuffshundred.blogspot.com/2011/04/100-themes-challenge-98-puzzle.html
Skapinker, M. (2000, Mar 27). Technology versus the human touch: Computers have changed the world but their impact is
limited by our need for social interaction: Financial Times, pp. 21-21.
Tillotson, J. (2012). Pictures: Clouds, iPad, iPhone, and QRCode.
TSTPL Pedia (Own work). Encyclopedia Britannica Picture. [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), via Wikimedia Commons
Zylstra, R. (2011). A Mobile Application for Discovery. Computers in Libraries, 31(2), 11-14.