Vol.15, No.1 (NO.102) 2023.06

This study explored differences in information needs for reading among foreign immigrants from different cultural backgrounds who immigrated to a new country. The study involved a structured interview with 22 Vietnamese and Indonesian immigrants living in Taiwan, and applied a qualitative approach to analyze immigrants’ information needs for reading and their experience participating in library reading activities.

The study indicated that Vietnamese and Indonesian immigrants face similar struggles in the process of adapting to daily life and gathering relevant information after immigrating from geographically adjacent areas to Taiwan and that they exhibit several daily information needs for reading. Their information needs for reading can be divided into four categories: language learning, parent–child reading, schoolwork guidance, and leisure and entertainment. This study also revealed that cultural differences lead to different reading information preferences between Vietnamese and Indonesian immigrants.

By incorporating cultural differences into library services, libraries can effectively support immigrants and reduce potential conflicts arising from immigration. The findings provide insights for libraries worldwide, enabling them to promote the utilization of their resources and design customized reading services that cater to the specific cultural preferences of immigrant populations. Libraries should consider the unique information contexts of Indonesian and Vietnamese immigrants, as well as the influence of international marriages on reading preferences. Incorporating elements of immigrants’ native cultures, such as art, folklore, cuisine, and language, can attract immigrants and facilitate their integration into the new society. DOI: 10.6575/JILA.202306_(102).0001