Individuals seek information for informed decision-making, and they consult a variety of information sources nowadays. However, studies show that information from multiple sources can lead to information overload, which then creates negative psychological and behavioral responses. Drawing on the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) framework, we propose a model to understand the effect of information seeking, information sources, and information overload (Stimuli) on information anxiety (psychological organism), and consequent behavioral response, information avoidance during the global health crisis (COVID-19). The proposed model was tested using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) for which data were collected from 321 Finnish adults using an online survey. People found to seek information from traditional sources such as mass media, print media, and online sources such as official websites and websites of newspapers and forums. Social media and personal networks were not the preferred sources. On the other hand, among different information sources, social media exposure has a significant relationship with information overload as well as information anxiety. Besides, information overload also predicted information anxiety, which further resulted in information avoidance.

From information seeking to information avoidance: Understanding the health information behavior during a global health crisis

Reference and Information Services: An Introduction

Evaluating Reference Services: A practical guide

This Fourth Edition of Reference and Information Services: An Introduction presents an updated guide to help Reference Library students and professionals understand the changing nature of skills, r...

Reference and information services: an introduction

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Best Practices for Recording Faceted Chronological Data in Bibliographic Records

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A Generation of Information Anxiety: Refinements and Recommendations

This essay begins with a narrative comparison of several reference interviews, both face-to-face and virtual. The chosen reference query concerned the meaning and significance of the “genius” of the Roman emperor. Using three connotations of the word genius as a launching point, the article discusses the importance of rapid response, expert knowledge, and guiding instruction within reference services. The essay concludes by using this threefold framework to construct a simple assessment tool that could spur on further reflection and conversation concerning the “ideal” reference interaction. This memorable triangulation may be of special interest to those training new reference staff members. Introduction Like many other words, the word genius takes on divergent meanings in differing contexts. The word is related to the Anglicized genie (related to the Arabic jinni), conjuring up images of a wispy spirit escaping from a magical lamp. One perhaps imagines a Robin Williams-like voice servilely declaring, “Your wish is my command.” But behind the English word genie stands the French genie, which in turn is based upon the Latin genius. In the Roman era, a genius was a guiding or guardian spirit. According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), this classical use of genius referred to a “tutelary” or “attendant” spirit that governed one’s fortunes (Oxford English Dictionary [OED], n.d., “genius, n., 1”). Among the other definitions of genius in the OED is “native intellectual power of an exalted type,” often referring to “instinctive and extraordinary capacity for imaginative creation, original thought, invention, or discovery” (OED, n.d., “genius, n., 5). This third meaning is probably the most common usage of the word genius today (i.e., an individual having a high IQ). The purpose of this essay is to investigate the “genius” of exceptional reference service, eventually landing upon a simple yet hopefully helpful assessment tool. 1 This essay will focus upon reference questions that require more research consultation than simple ready reference, directional, or similar queries (see Smith & Wong, 2016, p. 219). The “Genius” of Reference Service: A Threefold Framework as a Simple Assessment Tool Paul A. Hartog, Professor and Director of Library Services Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

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The “Genius” of Reference Service: A Threefold Framework as a Simple Assessment Tool

/pdf/online-library-tutorials-a-literature-review-2fmeo8j46u.pdf

Online Library Tutorials: A Literature Review

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"Contextualized Digital Library Evaluation: The Perseus Digital Library within Theological Research"

Over the last twenty-five years, litigation related to religious discrimination in the workplace has been on the rise. One of the tension points has been the religious practice of Sabbath keeping, leading to employment scheduling conflicts. Title VII and its subsequent amendments require that employers seek “reasonable accommodations” for Sabbatarian observance. Such adjustments should not cause “undue hardship” to the employer, who is required to make a “good faith effort” at accommodation. This article discusses creative alternatives that managers of public libraries and nonsectarian academic libraries may implement when accommodating Seventh-Day Adventist and similar Sabbatarian staff members.

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Paul Hartog

Papers

A Generation of Information Anxiety: Refinements and Recommendations

The “Genius” of Reference Service: A Threefold Framework as a Simple Assessment Tool

Online Library Tutorials: A Literature Review

"Contextualized Digital Library Evaluation: The Perseus Digital Library within Theological Research"

Religious Accommodations for Sabbatarian Observance among Library Staff