Access to information for small business managers: Examination of some strategies and values

Understanding how specific groups of users access information is central for developing adequate library and Information services and systems. The paper presents preliminary and partial results of a study on the information needs of small business managers and their information service requirements. The study aimed at identifying a service model that would fit the needs and requirements of small businesses in the context of the public library. Many libraries seek to offer services to such a group of users, while little is known about the factors that would make them interested to use library services on a regular basis, and those users that would facilitate their access to business information. Related literature on managers' information needs and their information seeking behaviour is reviewed. The nature of the study is explained and partial findings are presented and discussed in the light of Pierre Bourdieu's theory on cultural practices. The conclusion suggests that approaching small business managers as an homogeneous category of users could be misleading, and more attention to individual differences and particular information needs that are context-related-industrial and organizational-is essential to design adequate library and information services.