Paper details
The Future of Information Provision: Open, Mobile and in the Cloud
Author
Karen Blakeman, RBA Information Services, United Kingdom
Documents to download
Abstract
The internet has completely altered the way in which information is provided and accessed. Before we all had access to the internet many questions would be left unasked because it would take too long to find the relevant book or paper, or because it was too expensive to look up in a specialist database. The internet did not, and does not, always provide totally free information but it did make it easier to find people and organisations that could help with research. The changes that came about with the internet were significant, but even more so are the current developments in information provision. Open access to research papers and data is becoming mandatory in many countries; mobile access from any device and from anywhere is expected by users; and everything is “out there” in the cloud. This poses challenges to information professionals and libraries who now must consider the many ways in which users may access their services. It is assumed that everyone can access everything everywhere and that they are capable of assessing the relevance and quality of information. However, even those who grew up with the internet do not always automatically have the necessary skills to find, evaluate and analyse information. The many social and professional networks, and the way in which different technologies present information, result in fragmented discussions. And, more importantly, in the current economic climate not everyone can afford to be permanently connected to mobile and cloud computing. We run the risk of digitally excluding those who need access to information the most. Libraries and information professionals are best placed to address these major challenges. So how do we do it?
Author's professional CV
Karen Blakeman started her working life with a degree in microbiology but was soon enticed into the world of electronic information. Prior to setting up her own company she worked as a microbiologist in a government public health laboratory and then spent ten years in the pharmaceutical and health care industry as an information scientist. She moved to the international management consultancy group Strategic Planning Associates before becoming a freelance consultant and setting up her company RBA Information Services in 1989. She now provides training and advice on search, social media and collaborative tools. Karen edits and publishes an electronic newsletter called Tales from the Terminal Room and her blog can be found at http://www.rba.co.uk/wordpress/. She is an Honorary Fellow of CILIP (The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals).
