When faced with the need to use the library to find information, students often experience anxiety, even students with a great deal of library experience. This page describes the information search process, why anxiety is a natural part of it, and what you can do to deal with anxiety.
The Bad and Good Sides of Library Anxiety
The bad news is:
- Library anxiety has been linked to nonproductive behaviors. These behaviors might include not asking for help when you need it or changing your search topic when you are almost to the point of making progress.
The good news is:
- Anxiety is a normal when searching for information. The early stages of any search are characterized by anxiety.
- You're not alone. Anxiety is a common feeling among people doing library research, especially among those who don't do it very often.
- There are people available to help you. Both your instructor and the reference librarians are here for you. Asking for help when needed is a sign of an excellent student.
It's great when the good news outweighs the bad news. Read on to discover why anxiety is a natural part of the search process.
Model of the Information Search Process
No one is born knowing how to search for and find information. It is a skill that is developed over time through experience, and we don't expect that every student at the University of Toledo will have these skills. (Actually, we assume that most students don't). If you feel your skills are lacking (or nonexistent!), that's okay; you're in good company.
It can be helpful to get an overview of the information search process. In the 1980s, Carol Kuhlthau developed and tested a model for the information search process (ISP) that recognizes uncertainty and anxiety as normal feelings when searching for information. Her model consists of six stages:
- Initiation
- Selection
- Exploration
- Formulation
- Collection
- Presentation
While these stages are presented in a linear fashion, the process itself can be recursive; it may be necessary to return to earlier stages for reclarification (Kuhlthau, 2001).
Initiation is the point at which a student recognizes a need for information, such as when he learns that a course will require a paper. Feelings of uncertainly, apprehension and anxiety are common at this stage.
Selection is when he identifies the general topic of the search. Usually selection reduces the level of anxiety as the level of uncertainty is lowered. In situations where selection is delayed, anxiety may increase.
Exploration can be a very difficult stage, in which the student must investigate the general topic in order to narrow the search or form a personal point of view about the topic. Often he is confused and uncertain about what information is needed. This "dip" in feelings is entirely normal and does not indicate that the search is progressing poorly.
Formulation is the stage in which he focuses his topic. Uncertainty diminishes and confidence grows as his thoughts about the topic become clear.
Collection is the stage when the student begins to gather information about his focused topic. Kuhlthau describes this stage as one of still increasing confidence, but anxiety can arise with regard to use of the library and its systems to obtain information.
Presentation is the stage in which the search for information is completed and the assignment is accomplished. Relief may be a common feeling, and also satisfaction or disappointment (depending upon the student's performance).
Notice there are multiple places where library anxiety is common: initiation, sometimes selection, exploration, and collection. The important thing to remember is that anxiety is very common among people seeking information. If you are experiencing library anxiety, that's okay!
Because there are many causes of library anxiety, there are many ways of dealing with it. Here are some of the common causes of anxiety and how to overcome it.
I am the only person who is clueless about using the library to find information!
You aren't the only one who is clueless about the library, and you're probably not as clueless as you think! Consider the concerns that underlie this source of anxiety: Are you confused about what information to look for, where to look for it, or how to get your hands on it? Are you confused about how the resources are arranged? All of the above? Fortunately, all these concerns can be addressed at the library. Stop by any of our libraries and talk to a reference librarian; you can also call, email, or send us an IM.
I don't want to ask a staff member for help; he or she will think I'm stupid.
I have a broad topic in mind; what do I do now?Nothing could be further from the truth. The staff at the University Libraries understand that people have varying levels of experience with information seeking, with libraries in general, and with our libraries in particular. The questions that people ask at the Library reflect the extent of their library experience, not their levels of intelligence. Remember, there are no stupid questions!
If the topic is relatively new to you, begin by reading general materials on the topic, such as a chapter out of a textbook, an article out of an encyclopedia, or articles from newspapers or magazines. This background reading will help you identify important and current issues related to this subject. Once you have an overview of the topic, you can then narrow your topic and begin searching for more scholarly, research-based information. The reference librarians can help you wherever you are in the search process: from background information to research studies.
I can't find any decent information on my topic!
I found some great books/articles on my topic, but the Library doesn't have them!Whatever you do, please don't give up on your topic or the library without talking to a staff member! Many of the catalogs and databases have special ways of entering search topics. If they are not entered properly, they'll retrieve records that aren't relevant to the topic. Our staff members can help you (1) figure out what information you need, (2) what is the best tool to use, (3) how to use the tool appropriately, and (4) how to get the information once you've identified the source.
This concern can have two components: I don't know how to tell what the library has and the library doesn't have what I need.
If you are having problems figuring out what the Libraries owns, use the online catalog. The catalog will tell you if we have what you need, where it is, and, if it is online, how to access it. You can get help using University Libraries Catalog from library staff members or on our web site.
If the University Libraries don't have what you need, we can get it for you. Ask for more information, or see the Libraries' interlibrary services pages [Main Campus - Health Science Campus].
I don't understand what my instructor wants for this assignment!
Although the library staff can help with many of the causes of library anxiety, we can't help with this one. Only your instructor can clarify what he/she wants.
Remember that our staff members are your best source for assistance at the Library. They are trained to help users with a variety of questions - from selecting the best information source to helping you use that source, from fixing a printer jam to to helping track down the APA Publication Manual. Stop by any of our Libraries and talk to a reference librarian; you can also call, email, or send us an IM.
References
Kuhlthau, C. C. (2001). Information search process. Retrieved October 2, 2001, from Rutgers University, School of Communication, Information, and Library Studies, Department of Library and Information Science Web site: http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/~kuhlthau/information_search_process.htm
