User Needs and How to Determine Them,

Abstract

Without users, libraries and information centres have no purpose. It is essential therefore that our customers and their needs are fully known and understood. But knowing and understanding our users must be essentially a process of two-way communication involving regular dialogue between us. Libraries and information centres need to operate within clearly defined terms of reference which give authority to our activities and form the basis for the user dialogue. Once our customers know and understood us, why we exist and what we can offer them, they are better equipped to express their needs. Some of our 'customers' will have little or no requirement for our services and we must know and appreciate this fact. We must also understand that specifying and perceiving user needs is a complex subject requiring cognitive skills.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 20, 1988
Accession Number
ADP005825

Entities

People

  • Richard H. Searle

Organizations

  • Royal Aircraft Establishment

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

Readers

  • Computer Science.
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Team-Based Human-Centered Cognitive Task Decision Making and Information Performance.