Background As mobile computing technology evolves, such as smartphones and tablet computers, it increasingly offers features that may be particularly beneficial to older adults. However, the digital divide exists, and many older adults have been shown to have difficulty using these devices. The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified how much older adults need but are excluded from having access to technologies to meet essential daily needs and overcome physical distancing restrictions. Objective This study sought to understand how older adults who had never used a tablet computer learn to use it, what they want to use it for, and what barriers they experience as they continue to use it during social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We conducted a series of semistructured interviews with eight people aged 65 years and older for 16 weeks, investigating older novice users’ adoption and use of a tablet computer during the nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19. Results Participants were gradually yet successfully accustomed to using a tablet computer to serve various daily needs, including entertainment, social connectedness, and information-seeking. However, this success was not achieved through developing sufficient digital skills but rather by applying the methods they were already familiar with in its operation, such as taking and referring to instruction notes. Conclusions Our findings imply that older adults without digital literacy can still benefit from a digital device for quality of later life if proper traditional methods they are already familiar with are offered in its use.

Sustainability is an emergent topic due to the increased climate and social issues caused by human activities. While sustainability is not a new concept in library and information science, its scope is often limited to library and information systems. This study aims to expand sustainability to human information behavior and practice. This poster reports initial findings from a pilot study in Jan – April 2022. Interviews and photo diaries with 6 sustainable food consumers about their information behaviors and practices were conducted and analyzed using the constructivist grounded theory methodology. We found that participants use sensory and embodied information in assessing the real impact of their sustainable food behaviors, and that this process is essential in the transition to sustainable food behaviors. Participants assess the impact of their transition to sustainable food by comparing information at different times, places, and between actors (individuals and food providers). This research sheds light on the role of time in everyday information use, and demonstrates that sustainability is a fruitful research area in human information behavior and practice.

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UNSTRUCTURED As mobile computing technology evolves, such as a smartphone or a tablet computer, it increasingly offers features that may be particularly beneficial to older adults. However, the digital divide exists, and many older adults have been shown to have difficulty using these devices. The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified how much older adults need but are excluded from having access to and comfort with technologies to meet essential daily needs and overcome physical distancing restrictions. This study sought to understand how older adults who had never used a tablet computer learn to use it, what they want to use it for, and what barriers they experience as they continue to use it during social isolation by the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a series of semi-structured interviews with eight people aged 65 and older for 16 weeks, investigating older novice users’ learning and use of a tablet computer over time. The results show that our participants were willing to learn and successfully used a tablet for entertainment, social connectedness, and information-seeking purposes. However, it was not through acquiring sufficient digital skills but by incorporating the method they are already familiar with in its operation – Pen-and-paper. With these findings, we conclude by discussing how to help older adults better utilize digital devices for quality of later life.

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