The information needs of the Ghanaian immigrant

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the information needs of Ghanaian immigrants who have settled in Maryland in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an ethnographic approach, immigrants from Ghana shared their information needs, challenges and sources they rely upon for information. In total, 50 Ghanaian immigrants participated in this study.

Findings

Findings indicate that like many immigrant populations, Ghanaians who have immigrated to the USA primarily rely on personal networks, mediated through social media, as their primary sources of information. Despite the availability of immigration resources in the library, Ghanaian immigrants may not view it as a useful resource.

Social implications

While this study examines a single immigrant population, its social implications are important to libraries who aim to serve immigrant populations in their community.

Originality/value

This study provides new information about African immigrant population, a population whose information needs have rarely been covered in the literature.

Citation

Atiso, K., Kammer, J. and Adkins, D. (2018), "The information needs of the Ghanaian immigrant", Information and Learning Sciences, Vol. 119 No. 5/6, pp. 317-329. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILS-02-2018-0013