This session will delve into the unique information needs and behaviors of vehicle residents, drawing from the presenter’s extensive background in public librarianship and current doctoral research in Library and Information Science.
The presentation will highlight personal and professional experiences that underscore the importance of this work, including the story of the presenter’s brother, Joey, who lived in his SUV in Santa Cruz. This personal connection provided a unique perspective on vehicle residency and inspired the presenter’s research. The session will introduce the concepts of human information behavior and information practice, explaining how these theories apply to vehicle residents through relatable examples.
Attendees will learn about the methods and findings from various studies, including a 2020 scrape of Cheaper RV Living posts, a 2021-2022 pilot study conducted via Zoom, and ongoing ethnographic work in Santa Cruz. The presentation will discuss the concept of the information horizon and how it can be used to map the information-seeking behaviors of vehicle residents. Data collected from significant events such as the Women’s Rubber Tramp Rendezvous, Rubber Tramp Rendezvous, Skooliepalooza, and Van Aid will be shared, offering preliminary insights into the information needs of this community.
Do you have questions or comments that you would like to share with the presenters before the event?
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS
Presenter:
-
Kaitlin Montague
Kaitlin E. Montague is a PhD candidate from Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, at the School of Communication and Information in the Department of Library and Information Science (LIS). Her research focuses on vehicle residents’ information practices and their most prevalent information resources and source preferences to support their daily lives using…