Abstract:Although visual methods are emerging as a valuable and versatile tool in qualitative social studies research, confusion around terminology, options, and best practices persists. Consequently, LIS scholars who wish to employ innovative visual approaches in their research face barriers to discovering and deciding which visual options best suit their goals. Based on a review of the literature, this article identifies and describes the scope of participatory and nonparticipatory visual methods currently in use in the social sciences, with particular attention paid to LIS contexts. While visual methods bring clear benefits to qualitative research in terms of data quality, modes of expression, and alternate perspectives, challenges remain, including logistic issues of implementing visual study designs and ethical considerations.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe information seeking and use (ISU) within the context of minimalist lifestyles and connect characteristics of living with less to theories of information poverty and resilience. Design/methodology/approach Naturalistic methods of inquiry describe minimalist lifestyles in a remote, rural context through semi-structured interviews with 24 adults. Environmental scanning and visual methods extended data collection retrospectively and longitudinally to span almost 118 years of community history. Qualitative thematic coding and analysis proceeded inductively and reflexively. Findings Living minimally in this environment results in adaptive strategies that compensate for lack of resources in general, and information resources specifically. Positive psycho-social attitudes such as optimism, creativity, curiosity, resourcefulness, and self-sufficiency continue to be important factors in developing resilience in information seeking practices. Research limitations/implications Information poverty is usually defined relatively, and often in relation to formal, macro-level environments. Focussing attention on informal, local level ISU reveals alternate varieties of knowledge, ways of knowing and characteristics that create information resilience in the face of sometimes profound deficits. Practical implications Highlights of positive aspects to ISU in this remote, rural context will be of interest to researchers and practitioners serving rural library systems. Originality/value This study provides an historical and contemporary glimpse into the ISU patterns of a previously unexamined population and context, those who live minimalist lifestyles in a remote and rural location.

Unobtrusive observation in nine sites in two public libraries in Southern Ontario explored user compliance with posted rules of conduct. With the exception of children who were frequently loud and rambunctious, most users followed the rules. This finding is consistent with Goffman's idea that behaviour in public places is governed by normative assumptions of public order.Résumé : L'observation non obstructive effectuée dans neuf sites de deux bibliothèques publiques du sud de l'Ontario a examiné la conformité de l'utilisateur avec les règles de conduite affichées. À l'exception des enfants qui étaient fréquemment bruyants et querelleurs, la plupart des utilisateurs ont suivi le règlement. Ces résultats sont conformes avec l'idée de Goffman affirmant que le comportement dans les endroits publics est régi par des conventions normatives au sujet de l'ordre public.

This case study examines information behaviours of a master electrician in Southern Ontario. Complex information structures consistent with Chatman’s theories of Life in the Round (1999) and Information Poverty (1996), as well as Social Dilemma/Collective Action (Smith 2005) theories emerged that challenge the way we think about information in this blue collar work environment.Cette étude de cas examine les comportements informationnels d'un maître-électricien du Sud de l'Ontario. Conformément aux théories de Chatman exposées dans Life in the Round (1999) et dans Information Poverty (1996) et celles de Smith exposées dans Social Dilemma/Collective Action (2005), des structures d'information complexes émergent et viennent redéfinir les idées préconçues que nous avons de l'information dans le milieu de travail des cols bleus.

Welcome to the 44th Annual Conference of the Canadian Association for Information Science (CAIS). Nous sommes heureux de vous accueillir au 44e congrès annuel de l'Association canadienne des sciences de l'information (ACSI).