Adoption Seachers' Use of Libraries: A Pilot Descriptive Study

A small pilot study of the use of libraries by twelve adoption searchers who were participants in Kansas adoption support groups reveals that all types of libraries were used in the search process. Searchers' preconceptions about libraries and library services included a lack of distinction amo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Reference and user services quarterly 2001-03, Vol.40 (3), p.264-273
Main Authors: Chelton, Mary K., Brody, Roberta, Crosslin, Donna
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Academic libraries
Adoption
Adoptive parents
City directories
Librarians
Libraries
Library operations
Online searching
Reference interviews
School yearbooks
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Summary:A small pilot study of the use of libraries by twelve adoption searchers who were participants in Kansas adoption support groups reveals that all types of libraries were used in the search process. Searchers' preconceptions about libraries and library services included a lack of distinction among types or levels of libraries, a preconceived need to disguise what they were looking for (fearing lack of service otherwise), and the attribution of negative intent to staff who were perceived as unhelpful. Resources and services used varied, but primarily included directories, old newspapers, and interlibrary loan services. A discussion of findings is followed by suggestions for services improvement to this clientele.
ISSN:1094-9054
2163-5242