Analyze The Information Needs and Information Seeking Behavior of a Tribal Community In The Mayurbhanj District

Abstract

Information is an essential requirement for life, and without it, no community can grow. This study article investigates the information demands and seeking behavior of a tribal community in the Mayurbhanj District. Through a survey involving 250 participants encompassing students, daily-wage laborers, government employees, retirees, self-employed individuals, & the unemployed, the study highlights the prevalent information sources among the community, with print media and the Internet emerging as prominent channels for accessing external information. The research also uncovers challenges faced by the community in their information-seeking endeavors, encompassing issues such as limited access due to costs, inadequacies in the local library's collection, outdated resources, language barriers, scarcity of relevant materials, and restricted library operating hours. These findings emphasize the significance of addressing these challenges to better cater to the community's unique information requirements and improve their overall access to information for empowerment and growth.