A model for service rendering to meet the information needs of South African artists

• Main Author: Van Zijl, Carol Wendy
• Other Authors: Gericke, Elizabeth Martina
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: Visual artists; Information needs; Information-seeking behaviour; Library services; Information services; Academic libraries; Art galleries; Museum libraries; Exhibition catalogues; Information channels; Information sources; Information-retrieval tools; Databases for artists; Retrieval of images; 025.520887; Information services > South Africa.; Academic libraries > South Africa.; Art museums > South Africa.; Museum libraries > South Africa.; Information retrieval > South Africa.; Art > Databases.; Virtual arts > Databases.; Library use studies > South Africa.
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10500/17785

This dissertation analysed the information needs and information-seeking behaviour of visual artists. An empirical survey was conducted on a sample of the more informationliterate visual artists in South Africa. A model of the information environment of South African visual artists was developed. This model provides a basis for another model which represents the optimal service that should be rendered to meet the needs of this user group. It was found that the general information needs of South African artists are fairly adequately met, but that there are several shortfalls, especially in serving their more complex information needs. The most important problems are the lack of training in the use of information sources and services, inadequate marketing of services and inadequate coverage of South African art. It was also found that greater coordination between service providers is urgently required, especially in the provision of information about South African art. === M. (Information Science)