Naslov
Student’s information needs in democratic society and the role of public libraries

Autori
Janus, Robert ; Lacović, Darko

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u zbornicima skupova, cjeloviti rad (in extenso), znanstveni

Izvornik
BOBCATSSS Lyon 2016 Information Libraries Democracy: Proceedings & Abstracts / Fanny Blanchard, Valentin Famelard, Katarina Leyrer, Guilhem Martin Saint-Léon, Paulin Ribbe, Laure Fabre - Villeurbanne : Enssib, 2016, 197-205

ISBN
978-2-37546-014-6

Skup
BOBCATSSS 2016 Information, libraries, democracy

Mjesto i datum
Lyon, Francuska, 27.01.2016. - 29.01.2016

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
information needs; students; public libraries; democracy; civil rights

Sažetak
From the very beginning of their existence, libraries kept safe some of the most important ideals of our society today, one of which is democracy. Kranich (2001) states that the public libraries are the cornerstone of democracy in our communities because they assist the users in locating a diversity of resources and in developing the information literacy skills necessary to become responsible, informed citizens and to participate in our democracy. She continues claiming that libraries participate in every aspect of our information society and disseminate information so the public can engage in self-governance. Libraries should provide democracy development and ensure access to all kinds of community information regarding knowledge and culture (UNESCO Public Library Manifesto). However, some citizens are often not aware of the benefits if they use their right to inform themselves within the libraries free of charge. Furthermore, not only users don’t use their right to inform themselves properly, but sometimes, according to Lor and Britz (2007), governments in various parts of the world see free access to information as a threat, and take measures to control or limit access to the internet (or other channels of informing). The question they raise is whether a knowledge society can evolve in the absence of information freedom and how do student population perceive this issue. The goal of this research is to examine information needs of students in democratic society with the emphasis on their perception and use of the public library in satisfying democratic and civil rights. Research questions are: What are information needs of students in relation to their democratic and civil rights? What kind of information sources do students use to inform themselves about democracy and civil rights (newspapers, internet, radio, TV)? How do students perceive and use public libraries for purpose of democracy? The sample of research will be students of information sciences in Croatia since it is assumed that they are already aware of their democratic rights to free information access. In the research authors will use quantitative methodology: printed or online questionnaires that will be distributed to the respondents. Results of the research could show the importance of student participation in a democratic society, while the public libraries will get information on library use for the democratic and civil rights which can be useful in evaluation of their collections and services.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Informacijske i komunikacijske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA