The information-seeking behavior of aquatic science librarians in response to a query

Abstract

When searching for information in response to a query, their own library’s online public access catalog (OPAC) and databases remain the most preferred resource for most aquatic science librarians. This preference does not vary regardless of age, gender, educational degree, position or designation, country classification, or type of library. While the Internet acts as a supplement to the library collection, whenever the requested information is not available at the library, librarians prefer Googling instead of looking at other sources. Other than aquatic science-specific open access repositories and databases, some of the librarians have identified Google Scholar, DOAJ, ResearchGate, and Academia, among many others as valuable resources that help them fulfill their clientele’s query.

Keywords:

• Public services
• aquatic science
• IAMSLIC
• information-seeking

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their most sincere appreciation to SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department for the support during the data gathering and the first author's attendance to the IAMSLIC Conference; to their colleagues at the SEAFDEC/AQD Library; and to all of the IAMSLIC members who participated in the survey. Likewise, the author would like to thank IAMSLIC, PIRG, and IODE for the travel grant.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Daryl L. Superio

Daryl L. Superio is a Senior Information Assistant at the Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC/AQD) in the Philippines. He does research in communication and media, and library and information science. His research interests are information behavior, disaster management in libraries and cultural objects, special libraries, grey literature, and bibliometrics.

Mary Grace H. Oliveros

Mary Grace H. Oliveros is an Information Assistant at the Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC/AQD) in the Philippines. Her research interests are in information behavior, disaster management, and special libraries.

Vince Ervin V. Palcullo

Vince Ervin V. Palcullo is the Archives and Special Collections Librarian, and a part-time Library and Information Science Faculty of Central Philippine University. His research interests are in information behavior, disaster management, citation analysis, systematic review, and history and culture.

Joy F. Geromiano

Joy F. Geromiano is an Information Assistant at the Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC/AQD) in the Philippines. Her research interests are in information behavior, citation analysis, and special libraries.