Multicultural libraries: A study on the information behaviour of the Terena people, Brazil

Abstract

This article reports on research on the information behaviour of the Terena people from a Brazilian indigenous community. The aim of this study is to present and analyse the data collected on the information behaviour of the Terena people, which will serve as a basis to propose a model for creating a multicultural library linked to a sociocultural perspective as part of a PhD research study. A qualitative and explanatory study was conducted within the ethnographic structure for data collection. Field appointments and interviews were conducted with 18 research participants from the indigenous peoples of the Bananal community between 2021 and 2022. The data analysis shows that their information behaviour was influenced by cultural factors, and it is therefore essential to address multicultural issues within this context. It is important to ensure that the information addresses cultural diversities, promoting the social visibility of indigenous peoples and preventing their exclusion. Future research should improve multicultural access to information by developing inclusive strategies that consider indigenous perspectives and knowledge.