THE INFORMATION AND REFERRAL PROCESS IN CULTURALLY DIVERSE COMMUNITIES

American Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Latino gatekeepers function as information and referral (I&R) agents. Their use of information sources (interpersonal, institutional, print, and mass media) for problem solving is situation specific. Furthermore, although most gatekeepers interviewed believe that the public library has a moderate level of credibility as a potential information source, they do not now make extensive use of this source. The majority of gatekeepers interviewed favor the formation of a community I&R center but do not necessarily envision that center as part of the public library. Despite these findings, the public library could play an important role as an I&R agent in culturally diverse communities, for instance, by targeting information services to gatekeepers and other members of culturally diverse communities.