A textured sculpture: The information needs of users of digitised New Zealand cultural heritage resources
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to gather some empirical, baseline information on the perceived needs of end‐users of digital cultural heritage resources. The study was funded by the National Library of New Zealand in order to take end‐user needs into consideration more fully in its development and presentation of digital cultural heritage resources.
Design/methodology/approach
The study's research design involved a mixed quantitative and qualitative approach; a user survey comprising self‐administered, semi‐structured questionnaires, seven face‐to‐face semi‐structured interviews and one focus group.
Findings
The findings outline the barriers users face in using New Zealand digital cultural heritage resources. They also highlight the user needs and features and characteristics they most desire in digital cultural heritage resources.
Originality/value
Only a handful of studies exist about end‐user needs with respect to the digitisation of cultural heritage materials and very few are research‐based articles. This research is the first of its kind to describe information needs of users of digital cultural heritage resources in New Zealand, and pays particular attention to the needs of historical researchers.
Keywords
Citation
Dorner, D.G., Li Liew, C. and Ping Yeo, Y. (2007), "A textured sculpture: The information needs of users of digitised New Zealand cultural heritage resources", Online Information Review, Vol. 31 No. 2, pp. 166-184. https://doi.org/10.1108/14684520710747211
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited