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Aspects of Dealing with Digital Information: 'Mature' Novices on the Internet

THIS ARTICLE SEEKS TO ADDRESS the following questions: Why do certain people, who are fully information literate with printed materials, become hesitant and even reluctant when it comes to finding something on the Internet? And why do we, information professionals, find it difficult to support them adequately? Mature users of digital information are often skeptical about the value of the Internet as a source for professional information. Over the years much has been achieved, but many prophecies of the experts on digitalization from the early hours still have not yet been fulfilled. Mature users do possess all skills needed to be digital-information literate, but they need to be assisted in specific areas where those skills are insufficient. They tend to blame themselves even if shortcomings in accessibility of digital sources and computer errors obstruct their search. Operating hardware requires a dexterity that can only be acquired by experience. Instruction should be hands-on; demonstration is far less effective. Special attention should be given to reading and interpreting navigation information on the screen and to the search strategies the Internet requires. Use of imagination and trial-and-error methods are to be recommended in this respect.