Delivery of everyday life information: Opportunities and challenges for the library and information profession in Australia

Abstract

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. © 2010 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.