Abstract Information researchers can further social justice and social equity to meet the needs of minority and underserved populations experiencing intersecting modes of cultural marginalization. Scholars of information and communication technologies for development (ICT4D) can find overlooked intersections with social justice in “community networking” research since the 1980s to overcome the digital divides between the haves and have‐nots. To frame social justice initiatives within a consolidated vision of ICT4D in the field of information, this article proposes an impact‐driven framework, expounded through five interrelated elements: why (motivations), with who (engaged constituencies), how (at external and internal levels to change traditional practices), and toward what (goal). It is explicated through select historical instances of “community networking” and digital divides, ICT4D, and social justice intersections. Significance of the elements is also demonstrated via this author's select information‐related social justice research conducted in the United States. The urgency for critical and reflective conversations is important owing to historically abstracted human information behavior theory development within information research outdated in multiple contextualized needs of contemporary times. Historically situating impact‐driven social justice research is important to further the relevance, existence, and growth of the information field as it strengthens its ties with ICT4D.

Abstract The American state of Alabama has recently developed a national notoriety as a toxic place for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning/queer (LGBTQ+) people owing to several laws that have supported human rights violations and denied their civil liberties. This case study assesses how Alabama's public libraries are providing culturally relevant web access and coverage to LGBTQ+ information to meet their needs/concerns in a region that is oppressive to sexual and gender minorities. In the process, it illustrates public libraries' emerging role as simultaneously impotent to the majority's infringements, while finding creative ways to serve as counter narrative spaces of resistance representing “voices” of, and from, the margins. This exploratory assessment is based on documenting web‐based information for LGBTQ+ people in Alabama's 230 public libraries and identifies seven intersectional examples of information offerings, categorized into three groupings: (a) information sources (collections, resources); (b) information policy/planning (assigned role, strategic representation); (c) connections (internal, external, news/events). It provides a taxonomic framework with representative examples that challenge the regional stereotype of solely deficit marginalization. The discussion provides new opportunities to build collaborations of sharing within Alabama's public library networks to better address LGBTQ+ concerns and inequities in their local and regional communities.

Abstract In this opinion paper, we frame a discussion on paradigm shift(s) in the field of information. We believe that in this astonishing historical moment of new directions and new opportunities both the existing paradigms and conceptual models in the field of information can benefit from re‐examination to stay current with the times. We propose a framework articulating key narratives associated with the why, what, how, and who dimensions to discuss paradigm shift(s). The purpose of this opinion paper is to initiate dialogues on ground‐breaking ideas and innovative solutions as well as support research that addresses contemporary challenges in the field of information.

Abstract Complementary, socially grounded, user‐centered methodologies are being used to design new information systems to support biodiversity informatics. Each of the methods—interviews, focus groups, field observations, immersion, and lab testing—has its own strengths and weaknesses. Methods vary in their ability to reveal the automatic processes of experts (that need to be learned by novices), data richness, and their ability to help interpret complex information needs and processes. When applied in concert, the methods provide a much clearer picture of the use of information while performing a real life information‐mediated task. This picture will be used to help inform the design of a new information system, Biological Information Browsing Environment (BIBE). The groups being studied are high school students, teachers, and volunteer adult groups performing biodiversity surveys. In this task the people must identify and record information about many species of flora and fauna. Most of the information tools they use for training and during the survey are designed to facilitate the difficult species identification task.

Abstract This article explores the role of scenarios (or use‐oriented design representations) in the Afya project as a participatory action research (PAR) tool for studying information seeking and use across the “digital divide.” With the aim of improving access to health information and services for Black women, the Afya project has involved forging community‐level partnerships with SisterNet, a local grassroots group of Black women devoted to improving their physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual health. In the context of community health care, scenarios in the Afya project as a socially grounded planning and design methodology have taken the form of personal narratives of Black women that capture their social experiences and typical problematic health situations. Scenarios of Black women point towards the need to foster social justice by nurturing equitable and participative social activities around technological development and use associated with health information services. Scenarios also suggest specific action‐oriented strategies for empowering Black women to build social and digital technologies that we hope will make the provision of health care in our community more just.