Information Society (IS)

Presented byZaheer Ahmad (M. Phil Student)

Presented toM. Tariq Najmi

Sequence of Presentation Introduction of Information and Society Origin and Development of Information Society Prerequisites for the development of IS Economic and Social Factors in relevance to IS Technology for Information Society Role of Libraries and Skills for Librarians in IS Information Laws To Regulate IS Relationship of Information Society and Knowledge Society Conclusion References

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“Information is an assemblage of data in a comprehensible form

capable of communication and use; the essence of it is that a

meaning has been attached to the raw facts.”

(Feather, J., & Sturges, P. 2003)

p.303

Definition of Information

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The community of people living in a particular country or region, associated to one another and having shared customs, laws and organizations.

Examples of Society Agricultural Society

Industrial Society

Information Society

Knowledge Society

What is Society?

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A society in which information, rather than material goods, has become the chief economic, social and cultural motor.

(Whitworth)

An information society is a society where the creation, distribution, use, integration and

manipulation of information is a significant economic, political, and cultural activity.

The aim of the information society is to gain competitive advantage internationally,

through using information technology (IT) in a creative and productive way. (BRANSCOMB)

Ever since the 1960s, ‘information society’ has been one of the key terms used to describe today’s world.

Global Information Society

Information Society

Creators of information – writers, musicians, artists, researchers, database producers, web producers

Information products -- books, videos, magazines, web sites Distributors of information -- publishers, Internet providers,

vendors, producers Disseminators of information -- schools, libraries, colleges

and universities, businesses, government, museums Users of information -- individuals, business persons,

researchers, employees and employers

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Information Cycle

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There are three period of analysis:1. From 1960 to the mid-1970s analyses concentrated

exclusively on America. 2. Form the late 1970s to the early 1990s, as ICTs were

deployed extensively in the rich or developed states.3. And now, analyses focus on the potential and promise

of the internet, leading to the current widespread interest in the global information society.

Origin and Development of IS

Prerequisites for the development of the IS

Development of technology (The storage capacity, communication channels, Computer and Internet)Structural change of the economySocial ChangesWork processes

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Organizations used information as resource, increasing efficiency, effectiveness and stimulating innovation

Improvement in the quality of the goods and services produced

Increased sale through Advertisement Consumers also use information to make better choices

between different products Explore their entitlements to public services Exercise their civil rights and responsibilities Extend public access to educational and cultural provision

Economic Factors and Information Society

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Illiteracy Non-cooperation Polarization and Intolerance Non-book and gun culture Ethical and Religious Issues Life styles, attitudes and personal beliefs Socially Intense

Now role of IS to eradicate such deficiencies to make society a healthy society

Social Factors and Information Society

Growth of TelecommunicationComputers and ICTs Skilled ProfessionalsShift in occupational structureEqual opportunitiesInformation as a critical asset:

Creation, acquisition, management, delivery Strong Indicators Use of information by citizens to increase their

involvement in public policy making and social life

Indicator of IS

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Freedom of Information Laws related in regulating information like Copyright &

Intellectual Property Rights

Information Laws To Regulate IS

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Telephone Broadcasting Media Computer Intranet and Internet World Wide Web (WWW) Tele communication Satellite

Technology for IS

Intermediary Role Collaborative Role Facilitator Role not only b/w user and Information but also

creating knowledge

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Role of the Library in the Information Society

USER LIBRARY INFO

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Identifying and analyzing user information needs Technology skills Information Management expertise Familiarity with research methods Ability to evaluate information Ability to organize and store information for effective retrieval Knowledge of delivery mechanism and means of disseminating

information Training and consultancy skills Management skills Collaborative Skills

Librarians and skills in IS

Relationship of IS and KS

Minimum Gap = Progress Society

Information Society

Knowledge Society

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Lets Decide, Do We Have IS or Not?

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The information society in many countries like Pakistan is only considered as the development of telecommunication infrastructure but we must acknowledge its socio-economic and institutional importance. (Example: RTI, Punjab Infor. Commission)

We must understand the knowledge needs of different communities and groups.

The developed countries like Japan, Canada USA, Germany, United Kingdom etc. may be considered as the information societies but the developing countries like Pakistan are still far away from information society.

Lack of education and economic backwardness are hindering the process of transition to an information society.

Conclusion

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Democracy with the presence of dynamic and free media and independent judiciary will enable us to turn our society into an information society.

As a society, we have yet to realize the importance of having of informed and empowered citizens, more focuses has been development of infrastructure rather than human capacity to use that information/ infrastructure.

Conclusion

Question & Answer Session

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Branscomb, A. W. (1994). Who Owns Information?: From Privacy To Public , Access: Basic Books.Feather, J., & Sturges, P. (2003). International Encyclopedia Of Information And Library Science: Taylor & Francis.Feather, J. (2000). Information society: A study of continuity and change: Library Association Publishing.Ifla. ( 10 July 2013). IFLA And The Information Society. Retrieved Dec 28, 2013, From http://www.ifla.org/information-societyMahmood, K., & Shafique, F. (2009). Emerging Information Society In Pakistan And The Role Of Libraries. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (Pta). ( 2005, 30 May). Creating Information Society In Pakistan. Retrieved Dec 28, 2013, From Http://Www.Pta.Gov.Pk/Index.Php?Option=com_content&task=view&id=596&catid=150&itemid=747Shafique, F., & Mahmood, K. (2008). Indicators Of The Emerging Information Society In Pakistan. Information Development, 24(1), 66-78.

Touraine, A., & Mayhew, L. (1971). The post-industrial society: tomorrow's social history: classes, conflicts and culture in the programmed society. Random House New York.

References

Cont.... OECD (1986) Trends in The Information Economy. Paris:

OECD. Frank Webster (2002b) Theories of the Information Society.

London: Routledge