TOPIC PROPOSAL

Information Needs and Public Library Useof Homeless in Oklahoma

Alli Campbell LIS 5733

February 3, 2016

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Purpose of the Study

In a pilot study, patrons at a homeless and low-come shelter In Norman, Oklahoma stated

in a self-reported survey that their top information needs are living situations, health,

transportation, employment, and legal matters. The top reported place in which they found this

information was the shelter itself, but many patrons also reported that they went to the library

every day. The public library may hold rich resources on social service information, but the

results of the pilot study revealed the library was not utilized for these purposes. There is a need

to study how homeless and low-income patrons self-report their use of the public library,

because their information needs may be misunderstood. There is a lack of self-reported data by

homeless and low-income in LIS literature, and what is not always known is how the library

environment can hinder or aid the connection of the information they seek, and the role of the

library in the community as a resource for social services. If homeless and low-income patron’s

information needs and use of public library resources are self-reported, can this increase the

knowledge for public libraries to connect these patrons to information in meaningful and useful

ways?

Public Libraries in close proximity to shelters are visited by homeless and low-income

patrons, resulting in mixed opinions about the library’s place in the community. This study aims

to provide library administration with accurate data of how homeless and low-income patrons

use the library resources and programs. A survey administrated by the researchers at shelters in

close proximity to public libraries, is the primary tool for collecting data. The intended results of

the study and evaluation of the data would provide insight to library administration’s about the

information needs of homeless and low-income patrons that visit their locations.

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Key factors: crisis seeking information, information seeking behavior of low-come and homeless patrons, libraries as information grounds for social support

Type of Article: Research

Research Questions1. Research question

a. If homeless and low-income patron’s information needs and use of public library resources are self-reported, can this increase the knowledge for public libraries to connect these patrons to information in meaningful and useful ways?

2. Evaluation questiona. What resources are offered at different public libraries in Oklahoma that meet the

information needs of homeless and low income patrons based on the data from the survey.

i. Independent – different public libraries in Oklahomaii. Dependent – offered resources

3. Research questiona. Is there a gap between the self-reported information needs of homeless and low-come

in Oklahoma and the programming offered by public libraries?

Data Collection MethodsSurveys administered at homeless shelters throughout the state.