In such a changing, complex society formerly simple solutions
to informational needs become complicated. 61) Many of life’s problems which
were solved by asking family members, friends or colleagues are beyond the
capability of the extended family to resolve. Where to turn for expert
information and how to determine which expert advice to accept are questions
facing many people today In addition to this, there is the
growing mobility of people since World War Ⅱ. 62) As families move away from
their stable community, their friends of many years, their extended family
relationships, the informal flow of information is cut off, and with it the
confidence that information will be available when needed and will be
trustworthy and reliable. The almost unconscious flow of information about
the simplest aspects of living can be cut off. Thus things once learned
subconsciously through the casual communications of the extended family must be
consciously learned. Adding to social changes today is an
enormous stockpile of information. 63) The individual now has more
information available than any generation, and the task of finding that one
piece of information relevant to his or her specific problem is complicated,
time-consuming and sometimes even overwhelming. 64)
Coupled with the growing quantity of information is the development of
technologies which enable the storage and delivery of more information with
greater speed to more locations than has ever been possible before. Computer
technology makes it possible to store vast amounts of data in machine-readable
files, and to program computer to locate specific information.
Telecommunications developments enable the sending of messages via television,
radio, and very shortly, electronic mail to bombard people with multitudes of
messages. Satellites have extended the power of communications to report events
at the instant of occurrence. Expertise can be shared worldwide through
teleconferencing, and problems in dispute can be settled without the
participants leaving their homes and/or jobs to travel to a distant conference
site. Technology has facilitated the sharing of information and the storage and
delivery of information, thus making more information available to more
people. In this world of change and complexity, the need for
information is of greatest importance. Those people who have accurate, reliable
up-to-date information to solve the day-to-day problems, the critical problems
of their business, social and family life, will survive and succeed. 65)
"Knowledge is power" may well be the truest saying and access to information
may be the most critical requirement of all people.