THE INFORMATION NEEDS OF PARENTS

The information needs of consumers or the general public have been neg lected by information researchers. Consumers are the users of public l ibraries, they are changing their sources of information and they are a very large group. This paper discusses two investigations into the i nformation needs of parents - a sub-group of consumers particularly im portant to the future of libraries. In the first investigation carried out by the authors the records of a telephone helpline were analysed to find out the subjects of the information that parents needed. These were: children's behaviour, family problems and school. The second in vestigation, funded by the British Library, involves discussion groups and interviews with parents of children under 5 ill the London Boroug h of Haringey. These parents need information with particular characte ristics: it should have authority. Local information is helpful. Infor mation may be needed very fast when a child is ill. 1990s parents want current information. The viewpoint may be important. Considering sour ces of information, oral information still comes first, books remain r eliable and grey literature (e.g. newsletters) is considered very usef ul. Information provides support for parents undergoing a major transi tion in their lives.