ABSTRACT
The information needs and behavior of youth is a research area that continues to be ripe with research questions. Work investigating these users has been informed by theories of development from the field of psychology as well as models and theories of information behavior developed in the field of library and information science. Much of what is known about youth information needs and behavior is focused on the context of school and the use of electronic resources. While a body of work is accumulating related to information seeking in school and information seeking with electronic resources, there are significant gaps in our knowledge and methodological issues that need to be addressed to build a solid research base. Youth information seeking in information spaces outside of school, the place of various media in youth information seeking, and the information needs of very young children are particular topics that need to be addressed. Increasing use of theory and the inclusion of youth in research are two ongoing trends that will strengthen understanding of young people’s information needs and behavior as well as inform the development of information services, systems, and resources that better respond to the needs of this diverse population.
