The Information Society: A Study of Continuity and Change (4th ed.)

Barbara Sen (Senior Lecturer, School of Business Information, Liverpool John Moores University, UK)

New Library World

ISSN: 0307-4803

Article publication date: 1 March 2005

246

Keywords

Citation

Sen, B. (2005), "The Information Society: A Study of Continuity and Change (4th ed.)", New Library World, Vol. 106 No. 3/4, pp. 197-198. https://doi.org/10.1108/03074800510587417

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited


With the rapid state of change in the information industry, this fourth edition of John Feather's Information Society is timely, updating key areas such as freedom of information and developments in communications. As with previous editions, the most appropriate audience for the text is library, information and communications students as an introduction to development and change in the information society.

The book is divided into four parts covering aspects of the information society; the historical dimension, the economic dimension, the political dimension and the information profession.

The historical dimension provides a necessary foundation for studying the topic, taking the reader through an information society timeline from the origins of writing; script to print, the development of mass media and new technology. The historical story is particularly useful; for younger students whose use of information is like breathing, just part of life. They have been brought up in an age of computers, television and mobile technology; information just “is”. This section then, is an important foundation for thought, and raises key questions such as; information revolution or evolution, the information rich and information poor, and the technology paradox of making more information than ever before accessible but in some ways making that access more difficult, complex and costly.

Considering the economic dimension in section two can again be an “eye opener” to students who are often genuinely shocked at the thought of information having a cost, information being something that in the Google culture they use and access so freely. Feather begins by highlighting the significant capital investment required to transfer information from source to user. This section focuses on the rapidly converging industries and supporting communications technologies, publishing, computers and the media having expanded and grown in an increasingly competitive economic environment. Providing access to information comes at a cost. Feather discusses the changing relationship between information providers and information consumers in the commercial context that exists influenced by historical development and political factors. The development of global networks in theory gives access to all, but in practice cost remains a barrier. Those who have the wealth to control the information can also deny access to others, political issues that are presented in part three.

The information rich and information poor are apparent on a number of levels, individuals, communities, and countries. The role of the state is seen as critical in affecting the balance of relationships within the information supply chain; from the creator to end‐user. State intervention can manifest itself in four key areas:

  1. 1.

    the protection of information as property;

  2. 2.

    the prevention of unauthorised use of information;

  3. 3.

    to guarantee rights of access to information; and

  4. 4.

    to prevent the dissemination of information for reasons of safety or security.

State intervention varies from country to country. Feather sees a shift from the state being a “spectator”, “protector” and “regulator”, and to having a much more intrusive and participative role being a powerful competitor in the information “market place”.

Information seekers will inevitably need help in exploring the increasingly complex information environment. The roles of gatekeepers and guides are just two of the opportunities available for information professionals. Just as the information environment has changed and expanded so have the roles available for librarians underpinned by technology and a range of technical skills and a greater requirement for the management of the information environment.

Feather admits to raising as many questions as he answers within this text and his final chapter leaves the reader with the central dilemma of the text o f the computer as an “empowering tool” which can also be used as a tool of control. How do we resolve that issue within the information society?

The book is an excellent over view of the information society, readable with a logical structure set in a historical context. The only slight criticism being the lack of references but if included they would possibly detract from the readability. For those hooked on the topic and wishing to read further, Feather includes and note on further reading covering key areas within the book.

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