Abstract:In New Zealand, compared to women men have poor health outcomes in a range of domains. Men also report barriers (both personal and structural) in seeking information to improve health and wellbeing. This paper reports a pilot project that investigated the informationseeking of New Zealand men during episodes of mental and physical ill health. The research investigated the ways in which information can be provided to encourage men to engage in information-seeking in a more timely way to improve their health and wellbeing. Results suggest that New Zealand men face considerable barriers accessing information and support and that the pathways to care are often unclear or absent. These findings demonstrate challenges and opportunities to service providers in terms of engaging men. Further research opportunities are also discussed.
IntroductionThis paper reports a small pilot study that examined the information behaviour of a group of Australian men (n=15) who had experienced a stressful life event for which they needed help and support. A secondary component of this study consulted with these men and a group of professionals (n=6) who provide help and support to men regarding strategies to engage more readily with information in order to improve their health and wellbeing. The paper reports findings from this study and provides background to some of the theoretical concerns evident within the scholarship of human information behaviour as it relates to the world of the everyday, particularly for hard-to-reach groups. It also discusses the strengths and weaknesses of current information delivery and support to Australian men across the lifespan. As a result of the findings from the study, the potential opportunities for Australian library and information professionals to have a broader presence in the development and delivery of everyday life information products are discussed.The author has had extensive experience in the delivery of information in non-library settings and in the development of programmes to support the work of staff who work in agencies which undertake this work. The research was undertaken to highlight the potential of library and information professionals in Australia to offer greater support to the work of these agencies, and to assist with the development of information resources for dissemination in non-library settings more generally. The research was conducted as a result of two major concerns:Delivery of everyday life information: opportunities and challenges for the library and information profession in Australia PETA WELLSTEAD This paper has been double-blind peer reviewed to meet the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) HERDC requirements.Men are over-reported in the statistics for premature death in Australia for all major causes of ill health and accident. While general health is poor, male suicide is also a significant public health issue. Notwithstanding these concerns research shows that men are reluctant to engage in information seeking to enhance their health and wellbeing. This paper reports on aspects of a small pilot study that investigated the information behaviour of a group of Australian men who had faced a significant stressful life event. The paper provides background to some of the theoretical concerns evident within the scholarship of human information behaviour as it relates to the world of the everyday, particularly for hard-to-reach groups. It also discusses the strengths and weaknesses of current information delivery and support to Australian men across the lifespan. As a result of the findings from the study, the potential opportunities for Australian library and information professionals to have a broader presence in the development and delivery of everyday life information products are discussed.
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Delivery of everyday life information: opportunities and chal...
This chapter reviews and discusses Library and Information Science (LIS) undergraduate education in New Zealand over the past 30 years, and identifies issues and research needs. It examines contemporary issues facing LIS education in a rapidly changing information environment, affected by a particular historical and social context and changes to the higher education sector nationally and internationally. Issues include professionalization, the tension between education and continuing professional development, the difficulty of keeping programmes up to date and reflective of industry needs in times of fiscal restraint, and the complexities of the particular student body, as well as changes in the LIS sector more generally. It highlights research needs and shows how professional associations and LIS educators are addressing these issues through a range of solutions designed to strengthen the library, records, and archives professions.
This paper reports part of an ongoing study exploring the information behaviour of New Zealand men during periods of diminished health and wellbeing. Focus groups were used for this iteration of the study. Results indicate that New Zealand men face both personal and structural constraints to their information-seeking during periods when their health and wellbeing may be compromised. This study highlights that service providers need to develop more effective information delivery mechanisms and support services for men. These services need to be appealing to men and reflect men’s information seeking preferences. The role of LIS professionals in supporting this endeavour is discussed. Cet article présente une étude en cours explorant le comportement informationnel d’ hommes néo-zélandais durant des périodes où leur état de santé et de bien-être est amoindri. Des groupes de discussion ont été utilisés pour cette itération de l'étude. Les résultats indiquent que les hommes en Nouvelle-Zélande font face à des contraintes à la fois personnelles et structurelles dans leur recherche d'information pendant les périodes où leur santé et leur bien-être peuvent être affaiblis. Cette étude met en évidence le besoin pour les fournisseurs de services de développer des mécanismes de diffusion de l'information plus efficaces et des services de soutien pour les hommes. Ces services doivent être attrayants et refléter les préférences des hommes dans leurs recherches d’information. Le rôle des professionnels de l'information dans le soutien à cette entreprise est discuté.
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