In Search for Patterns of User Interaction for Digital Libraries

The paper provides preliminary results from a major study of the academic and research libraries users in Slovakia. The study is part of a larger research project on interaction of man and information environment. The goal of the research is to identify patterns of interaction of individuals and groups with information resources, derive models and information styles. The methodological model for questionnaire survey of users is described. The first results confirm the need to support user strategies, collaboration, different stages of information seeking and knowledge states, closer links with learning and problem solving, easy and flexible access, human creative processes of analysis, synthesis, interpretation, and the need to develop new knowledge organization structures.