What is it about?
Our recent research on immigrants' settlement information needs and seeking shows that obtaining comprehensive, timely, and accurate information before moving to a new country helps newcomers adjust more easily. The study found that when immigrants have expectations, especially about finding professional jobs, that differ greatly from their actual experiences, they can feel disappointed or stressed, which may negatively affect their settlement in the new country. The study also points out that libraries are important sources of support, offering programs and information to help newcomers, so it’s a good idea to learn about them in advance.
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Why is it important?
This paper offers actionable insights for migration researchers, policymakers, and organizations dedicated to improving immigrants’ settlement experience. Key findings for migration and information research communities: 1. Proactive and comprehensive pre-arrival information seeking matters: Our research demonstrates that proactive and comprehensive information seeking in pre-arrival contexts may positively impact post-arrival settlement experience in the host country. 2. Mismatched expectations could cause real harm: Our research shows that when newcomers’ pre-arrival expectations, especially regarding employment, diverge from reality, it can result in depression, frustration, and anxiety that may negatively affect their settlement in the host country. 3. Introducing “Information Intelligence”: We introduce a new and powerful concept, “information intelligence,” that describes how some immigrants use informational, social, and emotional skills to navigate migration. This concept extends beyond traditional “information literacy” and encourages researchers in information studies to explore it further. 4. Libraries as essential partners: We recommend that pre-arrival settlement sessions include components to help potential immigrants identify public library programs and services in Canada that could benefit them and their families immediately after arriving in Canada. 5. Policy recommendation: The study recommends mandatory, pre-arrival information sessions that transparently share information about both opportunities and potential challenges newcomers to Canada may face, not just positive information.
Perspectives
Working with my doctoral supervisor, Professor Paulette Rothbauer, on this paper was a pleasure and a truly satisfying experience. I hope the findings will encourage policymakers, such as IRCC, to introduce comprehensive and timely pre-arrival information about life in Canada, including both the benefits of moving and the initial settlement challenges newcomers may face. Furthermore, I hope potential newcomers, including international students, will gather information from multiple sources about the country they plan to move to and verify it before acting.
Dr. Nafiz Zaman Shuva
Queens College, CUNY
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: “I was well informed. It was a great advantage”: Pre-arrival information seeking, information intelligence, and immigrants’ settlement, Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, June 2026, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/09610006261448918.
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