The information needs of the Ghanaian immigrant
| Date | 14 May 2018 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/ILS-02-2018-0013 |
| Published date | 14 May 2018 |
| Pages | 317-329 |
| Author | Kodjo Atiso,Jenna Kammer,Denice Adkins |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,Library & information services |
The information needs of the
Ghanaian immigrant
Kodjo Atiso
School of Information Science and Learning Technologies,
University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
Jenna Kammer
Department of Educational Leadership and Human Development,
University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, Missouri, USA, and
Denice Adkins
School of Information Science and Learning Technologies,
University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
Abstract
Purpose –This study aims to examine the informationneeds of Ghanaian immigrants who have settled in
Marylandin 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
immigrantsparticipated in this study.
Findings –Findings indicate that like many immigrant populations, Ghanaians who haveimmigrated to
the USA primarily rely on personal networks, mediated through social media, as their primary sources of
information. Despite the availabilityof 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 importantto libraries who aim to serve immigrant populations in their community.
Originality/value –This study provides new information about African immigrant population, a
populationwhose information needs have rarely been coveredin the literature.
Keywords Library, Ghana, Social media, Immigration, Information needs,
Immigrant population
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
In 2016, African immigrants accounted for 4.6 per cent of all immigrants to the USA (USA
Census Bureau, 2018), compared to 4 per cent in 2012. In a more detailed study of African
immigration, the US Census Bureau (Gambino et al.,2014) found that the proportion of
African immigrants was 1 per cent in 1970. African immigrants come from West Africa
(36 per cent), East Africa (29 per cent), North Africa (17 per cent), Southern Africa
(5 per cent), Central Africa (5 per cent) and others (7 per cent). West Africa, a region that
includes Ghana, Nigeria and Liberia, is one of the fastest growing immigrantgroups in the
USA (Anderson, 2017). Ghana itself is estimated to have sent 121,000 immigrants during
this period, accounting for 7.6 per cent of all African immigrants. While in the USA, these
immigrants work, attend school or raise families, not much is known about their everyday
information needs.
Information
needs
317
Received25 February 2018
Revised3 April 2018
Accepted7 April 2018
Informationand Learning Science
Vol.119 No. 5/6, 2018
pp. 317-329
© Emerald Publishing Limited
2398-5348
DOI 10.1108/ILS-02-2018-0013
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