In-class lecture about Dervin and Chatman
-Dervin viewed a community information system as an organic whole compromised of individuals, their information needs and problems, information sources, and solutions to needs and problems. Also identified “societal, institutional, physical, psychological, and intellectual barriers to access and use.
-Chatman examined the information needs and information-seeking behavior of marginalized populations. Four key concepts being
1. Security
2. Deception
3. Risk taking
4. Situational relevance
-Chatman proposed information poverty is associated with class distinction, is determined by self-protective behaviors,
-Life in the round: a public form of life in which things are implicitly understood. Members in the round will not seek out information or cross boundaries to do so. They will only cross boundaries if the information is seen as relevant or critical.
-Concepts of insiders and outsiders
1. (four concepts) small world
2. Social norms
3. Social types
4. Worldview
How did Elfreda Chatman’s theories about Information Poverty and Life in the Round match the experiences of the Collins family in the documentary Legacy?
Life in the round is hard to escape. People who live in the round rarely are encouraged to leave it, and it seems almost impossible to do so. It is thought that people in the round will not cross boundaries to receive information unless the information is seen as relevant or critical. I would argue that the Colin’s family is a direct representation of a family who lived life in the round. There was no immediate need to seek information, or to get out of the projects, until a catalyst (the cousin who died) made it essential that the Colins family sought out information so that they were able to move on with their lives, and move out of the projects.
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