Linking Everyday Information Behaviour and Asian Immigrant Settlement Processes: Towards a Conceptual Framework

Abstract

International migration is a worldwide phenomenon. However, the process of immigrants' settlement is still considered an under-researched area from an information perspective. Navigating information throughout the settlement process is considered challenging but critical for immigrants. The uptake of information is deemed significant to both the well-being of immigrants and their host countries. An important outcome of the capability to navigate information in a new landscape is increasing the likelihood of social inclusion in a new country. More empirical research is needed to identify the characteristics of immigrants' information behaviour in the context of their settlement. This paper provides an overview of immigrants' information behaviour studies and the use of public library services by immigrants and identifies gaps in the literature. Supported and tested by a pilot study, a conceptual framework is developed to underpin a study into Asian immigrants' information behaviour in South Australia, linking their information needs, information seeking, information grounds and information sharing, and corresponding public library services to their ongoing settlement.