ABSTRACT

This study was carried out on the need to examined information needs and informationseeking behavior ofartisans in Umuahia metropolis. The study was guided by five specific objectives andfive research questions. The literature related to the study was carried out under the conceptual framework, theoretical framework, empirical studies and summary of literature review. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design, the population of the study was 140 artisans. The sample size of the study was 80 obtained using simple random sampling techniques. The instrument for data collection was the researcher design questionnaire titled: “Information Needs and Information Seeking Behaviours of Artisan Questionnaire (INISBAQ)”. The instrument was validated by three experts from the department ofLibrary and Information Science. The method ofdata collection was through the administration of80 copies ofquestionnaire to the respondents using direct delivery and retrieval method and the entire copies were retrieved completely filled and used for data analyses. The data collected were analysed mean and standard deviation. The results ofthe data analyses revealed the followingfindings: artisans in Umuahia Metropolis ofAbia.state had information needs which include needs on occupational information, loan/creait from banks, grant, product marketing, business corporative information and skill acquisitions among others. The sources they use when seeking for information are through their customers, family members, fellow workers, friends, interpersonal conversation and their neighbours among others. The extent by which their information needs are met is low. The obstaclesfacing information need of artisans include; language barriers, illiteracy, lack of exposure to relevant information sources, lack of adequate orientation of artisan on the relevant ofinformation to their business among others. Strategies that could help ameliorate the identified obstacles include that artisans should be sensitized on the existence of information agencies available to them, awareness campaign, provision of continuing education, financial support from the government and establishment of more information centers/skill acquisition centers among others. It was recommended that: Information professionals such as Radio stations, televisions stations and public librarians should be proactive by organizing workshops for people who are engaged in small scale industrial activities (artisans) in Umuahia metropolis in order to provide them with information'needed to promotes their businesses.