MAKING SENSE OF THE INFORMATION NEEDS FOR ACQUISITION OF INFORMATION LITERACY SKILLS OF ENGLISH-SPEAKING NEW AFRICAN IMMIGRANTS: A CASE STUDY OF ETHIOPIAN WOMEN AT ELOISE MAY LIBRARY, DENVER, COLORADO, USA

Abstract

Using Dervin’s (1983) Sense-making methodology related to communication-as-procedure including situation defining strategies, communication tactics, and addressing differences as the theoretical framework, this case study explores the processes of information need, seeking, and use through which English speaking Ethiopian women immigrants to the United States after the year 2000 become informed and acquire information literacy skills. Participants in the study are Ethiopian women immigrants who come to the Eloise May Library in Denver, Colorado. Through a series of open-ended, neutral questions and prompts, semi-structured interviews were conducted using a narrative inquiry strategy that enabled the participants to tell in conversational style their own stories. Findings in the study are related to American Library Association research findings published in Serving Non-English Speakers: 2007 Analysis of Library Demographics, Services and Programs. A new information behavior theory, library hesitancy, is introduced as well as a new definition of cultural competence that includes abilities to understand and respect language and cultural differences and to address disparities including varying language acquisition abilities; varying educational and cultural backgrounds; and varying economic stability and instability among diverse populations competently. A series of recommends for public library resources and/or services to meet information literacy needs of new immigrants is outlined.