Information Needs of Rural Malaysians: An Exploratory Study of a Cluster of Three Villages with No Library Service |
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| Institution: | 1. Integrated Natural Resources and Environment Management, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Philippines;2. Department of Anthropology, London School of Economics and Political Science, United Kingdom;3. Department of Social Forestry and Forest Governance, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Philippines;1. California State University, Sacramento, College of Business, Management and Organizations Department, 6000 J. Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA;2. Clemson University, College of Behavioral, Social, and Health Sciences, Department of Communication, 408 Strode Tower, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA |
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| Abstract: | Although literature on rural libraries is abundant, there is a severe shortage of literature on the information needs of rural populations. This article presents an analysis of 33 studies on rural information needs identified from LISA–PLUS and the findings of a study of the information needs of the population of a cluster of three Malaysian villages with no library service. A total of 108 individuals from approximately 300 households were interviewed during February 1996. All the respondents are literate and show a strong interest in reading. Their top five information needs relate to: (1) Religious information; (2) Family bonding; (3) Current affairs; (4) Health information; and (5) Education. The top five purposes for seeking information were: (1) Fulfilment of the need to know; (2) Solving problems; (3) Self-development; (4) Establishing a better family; and (5) Work purposes. The top five sources of information were: (1) TV/Radio; (2) Friends/neighbours; (3) Printed materials; (4) Relatives from the city; and (5) the School (library). Should a library service be made available, 93.054% would be interested in using it. The results emphasize that the needs of the rural population must be carefully investigated when planning rural library services. |
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