Observing strategies used by children when selecting books to browse, read or borrow

Abstract

This paper described 1. the investigation undertaken to trace the strategies used by children in selecting books to borrow, use or browse in two children's public libraries, and 2. map the information seeking patterns adopted by the selected children. The sample comprised 43 children who used the Bayan Budiman Children's Library, Petaling Jaya and the Kuala Lumpur Children's Library. The children were randomly chosen, aged between 7 and 12 and comprised those who entered the library with the observed behaviour of selecting books to browse, use or borrow. Two stages were used to collect data; 1. observing the children's behavior as they enter the library to the point when they pick up a book to browse, read or borrow for fifteen to twenty minutes and 2. interviewing those selected with a semi-structure questionnaire. Belkin, et al's (1993) information search strategy (ISS) dimensions were used to transcribe children's browsing and selecting behavior. Based on the observations and interviews respondent's behaviour was mapped to illustrate the children's choosing process. The findings indicated that 1. browsing was the most popular method used when choosing a book combined with various strategies such as looking for a book by an author or series, finding a book by subjects, visually or physically scanning and recognizing the physical composition of the book; 2. children based their selection on the storyline, illustrations, cover designs and typography of the books; and 3. the searching behaviour is likely to be non-linear in nature. The majority of the children faced no problems in choosing or locating a book as most are regular visitors. A few indicated being overwhelmed by the library's large collection or, face initial confusion before they started to browse and interact with resources. Children used visual cues rather from textual information when searching for books, inferring that children libraries need to be supported with adequate and visually stimulating environment to make book searching fun and fruitful.