Modern Society and Institutions Some people think the internet will replace libraries, but libraries still

people think the internet will replace libraries, but libraries still give reliable and
organized information. To stay useful, libraries must use new technology, give quick services,

In today’s world, most important work like education, health care, and research is done by big and understand what users need.

institutions. These institutions, like schools, hospitals, and libraries, are run by people. Their
success helps the whole society grow. Role of Information in Society

Importance of Libraries Information helps in everything – education, research, work, and government. It changes how
people think and live. Over time, society has grown from farming (agrarian) to industry to

Libraries are very important cultural and educational institutions. They help people of all ages today’s information age – all because of better use of information.

– students, teachers, researchers, and more – by giving access to books, information, and
knowledge. This helps in learning, work, and personal growth. What is an Information Society?

Modern Society and Information We often hear that we live in a time of great change. These changes are largely due to the rise
of artificial intelligence and information communication technologies (ICTs). Many terms have

Today’s society is called an “information society” because knowledge and information are very been used to describe this change, such as the global village, the technotronic era, the

important. People are more educated and use technology like phones, computers, and the knowledge society, and the information society. Among these, the Information Society is now

internet. This makes learning and communication easier across the world. the most widely accepted term, used by governments and international bodies such as the
World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), held in 2003 and 2005.
Libraries and Learning
Evolution of the Concept
Libraries support both school and self-learning. They provide books, online resources, and
quiet spaces to study. In modern education, libraries help students learn in different ways, The idea of an Information Society started gaining attention in the 1970s and 1980s. Thinkers

including online and digital learning. like Masuda in Japan and Tom Stonier in the West believed that society was moving towards
a stage where information and knowledge would drive progress, not just industries or
How Libraries are Changing factories. Daniel Bell, who wrote about the post-industrial society, also played a big role. He
said that science, professional knowledge, and computer technology would shape the new
Libraries are no longer just book storage places. They now offer fast, digital, and online society. In this society, theoretical knowledge becomes a key factor, and more people start
services. Libraries aim to provide the right information at the right time, using many types of working in fields related to information and technology.
media. They reach people at home, online, and in schools or colleges.
Popular Thinkers and Their Views
Challenges for Libraries
Writers like Alvin Toffler and John Naisbitt helped make these ideas more popular. Naisbitt
believed that the U.S. had already moved into an information society by the 1960s and 1970s,
thanks to computers. Toffler talked about an "information bomb" that would change power and

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decision-making in society. They all agreed that information and knowledge would become  There’s a huge increase in data and information.
the most powerful tools in the modern age.  Society becomes more dependent on technology for knowledge and daily activities.
 Computers and telecom systems are widely used by people and organizations.
What Does Information Society Mean?  A strong information network exists to connect people.

Different scholars define the term in different ways. For example: According to Daniel Bell, a full information society passes through four stages:

 Branscomb (1986) said it’s a society where most people work with information — 1. Science-based: Computer use in national projects.

collecting, creating, storing, or sharing it. 2. Management-based: Use of computers in business and government.

 Manfred Kochen (1987) said that in this society, people solve problems using 3. Society-based: Technology benefits the whole society.

knowledge-based systems and that it is a step toward a “world brain.” 4. Individual-based: Everyone has access to digital tools and can create knowledge.

 Ronfeldt (1992) described it as a world where the lines between computers, networks,
At its highest stage, an information society becomes a place where creativity and mass
and communication systems blur and merge.
knowledge thrive.

Overall, the definitions show that information is becoming more central to how we work,
communicate, and live.
📚 BLI-221 Unit 1.3.4 – Perceptions of Information Society (Full Summary
Table)
Key Features of the Information Society
S.No. Perception Simple Explanation Key Thinkers /

An information society is marked by: Notes

A Technological Focuses on technology development Martin, Webster
 High computer usage and digital communication. Perception like the internet, ISDN, and
 People working in information-related jobs. communication systems. Believes
 Fast data sharing and electronic communication. information society is created through
 Technology is deeply involved in every part of life — government, education, technological innovation.
business, and personal use. 📌 Issue: Does not explain
social/cultural change fully.
James Martin said that such a society is advanced, digital, and heavily based on information
B Economic Based on how much of a country's Fritz Machlup, Marc
markets and jobs.
Perception income and jobs are related to Porat
information sectors (e.g., media,
How to Know If a Society Has Become an Information
education, libraries). If this is dominant,
Society? it's an information society.
📌 Critique: Includes too wide a
There are a few clear signs:

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 category of jobs, like those indirectly G Alternative 📌 Critique: The current term Burch (2005),
related to info. Definitions / “Information Society” comes from Critical/counter-
C Occupational Looks at types of jobs people do. If the Porat Burch neoliberal thinking, ignores social hegemonic views
Perception majority of the population works in conflict, and promotes tech as the only
knowledge-based roles (e.g., research, future.
teaching, media), the society is labeled 🎯 Suggestions:
information-based. - Use the term “societies” (plural) to
D Spatial Focuses on how space is organized Reflects Manuel reflect diversity.
Perception through information networks. It Castells’ idea of - See technology as a support, not the
emphasizes global connectivity via “network society” goal.
data routes, linking cities and nations. - Information should be a public good,
But, no one can say how much knowledge must be shared, and
networking is enough to define an info communication should be
society. participative, not commercialized.
E Cultural Society is media-saturated. Culture is Webster (1996),
Perception dominated by messages, signs, images, Cultural theorists
fashion, branding, etc. Info is deeply 📘 1.4 – Knowledge Society

embedded in how people interact,

🌍 what is a Knowledge Society?
behave, and express themselves. Yet,
more info doesn’t always mean more
A knowledge society is one where knowledge is the most important tool for development.
meaning.
People use information to improve life, grow the economy, and bring positive change.
F United Nations 🌐 First held in Geneva (2003) and then UN, ITU, CRIS
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) help people connect, learn, and share
WSIS (2003– in Tunis (2005). (Communication knowledge easily.
2005) Two major views emerged: Rights in the
1) Tech-Centered: Focused on Information Society) Earlier, only a few people had access to knowledge. Now, due to the internet and education,
technology driving society and bridging many people can gain knowledge and use it to make smart decisions. That’s why we now say
the digital divide through access. we live in a knowledge society.
2) Human-Centered: Focused on
justice, participation, and meaningful Importance of Knowledge Society
access to communication, led by civil
The term became popular after the 1990s. UNESCO supports it because it includes not just
society and guided by human needs,
technology but also social, cultural, and economic development. Knowledge is no longer about
not just tech.
having facts. It’s about using information to solve problems and improve life for everyone.

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🔍 Knowledge Society vs Information Society National Libraries

The Information Society focuses on using technology to spread information. Definition:

The Knowledge Society focuses on people — how they understand, use, and benefit from that A National Library is the central library of a country that collects, preserves, and
documents all the knowledge and publications of national importance.
information.

These libraries are established and funded by the government. They hold copies of every book,
📈 Features of a Knowledge Society
newspaper, journal, and official document published in the country. Their purpose is not to

A knowledge society has some special features: issue books for personal use but to preserve cultural and intellectual heritage for future
generations.
 New knowledge is created every day in all fields like science, health, and education.
 More people are educated and can access information easily. Example:

 The internet has connected the world like a big network.

 The National Library of India, Kolkata
 People can work and learn together from different places.
 Knowledge is not limited to a person; it is shared by society. Key Services:

In such a society, everyone can access information, understand it, and use it to improve their  Legal deposit of published works under copyright law
life.  Preservation of rare and historical documents
 Bibliographic and cataloging services
🛠 Building a Knowledge Society  Access to reference and archival materials
 National and international bibliographic exchange
To create a strong knowledge society, governments must support education, research, and
 Research assistance for scholars and historians
technology. It is a political and social process. Clear plans and progress indicators are needed
to see how far a country is moving towards becoming a knowledge society.

India also took steps through the National Knowledge Commission (NKC). It was formed to Academic Libraries

improve education and access to knowledge. The NKC helped prepare a plan to make India a
Definition:
strong knowledge-based society.
An Academic Library is a library attached to a school, college, or university, which
supports the teaching, learning, and research needs of students and faculty.

Chapter 2 Types of Libraries These libraries provide textbooks, research journals, reference books, and access to online
databases. They help improve the academic performance of students and support faculty
members in their research work.

Examples:

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  Delhi University Library System (DULS)  Reading programs, storytelling, and cultural events
 IGNOU Library  Career guidance and exam preparation materials
 Jawaharlal Nehru University Library

Key Services:
Special Libraries

 Circulation of textbooks and reference materials

Definition:
 Reading room and study space
A Special Library is a library that focuses on specific subjects and serves professionals or
 Access to digital databases and e-resources
researchers in a particular field.
 Research support and citation assistance
 Reprographic services (photocopy, print, scan) These libraries are often attached to organizations, institutions, or industries such as health,
 Orientation and user education programs law, agriculture, business, or defense. They provide deep and specialized information, often
technical or scientific.

Examples:
Public Libraries

 ICMR Library (Medical Sciences)

Definition:
 RBI Library (Finance)
A Public Library is a library that provides free services to the general public for
 DRDO Library (Defense Research)
education, entertainment, and lifelong learning.

Key Services:
Funded by local or national governments, these libraries serve all members of society
regardless of age, caste, or education level. They promote reading habits, literacy, and public
 Subject-specific research support
awareness.
 Subscription to technical journals and databases
 Preparation of newsletters and reports
Examples:
 Abstracting and indexing services
 Delhi Public Library  Access to statistical and analytical data
 British Council Library  Expert assistance for information retrieval
 State Central Library, Hyderabad

Key Services:
Digital Libraries

 Lending of books and magazines

Definition:
 Children’s and senior citizen services
A Digital Library is a library where information resources are stored in digital format
 Daily newspapers and journals
and accessed through computers or other electronic devices.
 Internet access and computer services

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They provide access to e-books, e-journals, scanned documents, audio-video materials, and  Access to open educational resources (OER)
research databases. Users can access the content anytime and from anywhere using the internet.  Digital reference service via chat/email
 Linking to institutional repositories and research papers
Examples:
 Access to webinars, workshops, and online courses
 Integration with learning management systems (LMS)
 National Digital Library of India (NDLI)
 Digital Library of India (DLI)
 DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals)
Hybrid Libraries
Key Services:
Definition:
 24x7 remote access to digital content A Hybrid Library is a library that combines traditional print materials with digital
 Searchable e-book and e-journal databases resources, offering users multiple formats of information.
 Multimedia resources (videos, lectures, presentations)
 Cloud storage and downloading options Most modern libraries today are hybrid in nature. They maintain physical books while also
offering online journals, e-books, and databases. These libraries are ideal for both traditional
 Metadata tagging and citation export tools
 Personalized reading and bookmarking features readers and digital users.

Examples:

Virtual Libraries  IIT Libraries

 Central Library, University of Delhi
Definition:
 Jamia Millia Islamia Library
A Virtual Library is a library that exists entirely online and provides links and access to
digital resources available across networks or institutions. Key Services:

It does not maintain a physical space or in-house collection but works as a gateway to multiple  Lending of printed and digital books
databases and resources on the web.  OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue)
 Access to e-databases and journals
Examples:
 Library mobile apps and remote login facilities
 Training programs for digital literacy
 IGNOU eGyanKosh
 Scanning, printing, and digitization support
 DELNET (Developing Library Network)
 NPTEL (for online engineering lectures)

Key Services:

 Federated search (search across many databases)

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 Categories of Information Institutions

According to the report, information handling institutions can be grouped into the following
categories:

1. Knowledge-Creating Institutions

Definition:
These institutions are primarily responsible for the creation of new knowledge through
research and development.
They include research labs, R&D centres, and universities.

Examples:

 Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

 IITs and Central Universities
 CSIR Labs

2. Knowledge Processing and Dissemination Institutions

Chapter 3: Evolution of Information Institutions Definition:

These organisations collect and process information and then make it available to wider
Introduction
audiences through various publishing methods.
The evolution of information institutions reflects how societies have organized and structured They include academic publishers, data repositories, and statistical organisations.
their efforts to generate, store, disseminate, and utilize knowledge. Over time, technological
advances and societal needs have influenced the roles, formats, and functions of these Examples:

institutions. While traditional academic literature often overlooks this specific evolution,
 Elsevier, Springer Nature
close analysis—especially in the 20th and 21st centuries—reveals key transitional phases and
 National Sample Survey Office (NSSO)
operational patterns.
 Indian Statistical Institute (ISI)

One of the most influential studies on this topic, "Into the Information Age – A Perspective
3. Knowledge Storage and Service Institutions
for Federal Action on Information," by Arthur D. Little Inc., outlines how institutions
evolved with the information transfer process. Based on this, four major eras of institutional Definition:
evolution have been identified. These institutions store and manage access to information, ensuring that users can

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retrieve knowledge in usable forms. These institutions provided multi-disciplinary information for targeted government programs
They include libraries, archives, and digital repositories. such as NASA (space) or AEC (nuclear). The goal was to coordinate large-scale research
efforts efficiently.
Examples:
Users: Scientists, technologists, policy planners
 National Library, Kolkata
Services:
 Institutional Repositories
 Digital Library of India  Technical reports
 Specialized data sets
Growth Patterns of Information Institutions
 Custom advisory services
 Feedback systems for performance review
The development of information institutions can be explained through four distinct eras,
each shaped by societal and technological shifts.
Era III: Problem-Oriented Information Transfer

Era I: Discipline-Oriented Information Transfer

Definition:
Information was now seen as a tool to solve broader societal problems, including
Definition:
poverty, education, environment, and healthcare.
This era focused on knowledge for academic and scientific advancement, primarily
supporting education and research.
Institutions from this era dealt with fragmented, local, and often non-technical information to
meet the needs of various sectors including media, legal institutions, and civil society.
Information was disseminated through scholarly journals, seminars, and monographs.
Libraries and indexing services provided access to research materials. These institutions were
Users: Elected officials, NGOs, public administrators, general public
funded mainly by governments or internal university budgets.
Services:

Users: Academics, researchers, and students

 Repackaged content (summaries, translations)
Services:
 Consultancy and interpretation services
 Local data collection and analysis
 Access to journals and theses
 Reference and indexing services
This period also saw the rise of information brokers and intermediaries, helping users
 Research support
navigate vast and complex data environments.

Era II: Mission-Oriented Information Transfer

Era IV: Individual-Oriented or Customised Information Services

Definition:
Definition:
Institutions in this era were created to support specific national or scientific missions.
This modern era focuses on tailoring information services to the individual needs of
users, often on a commercial basis.

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Institutions and companies began offering fee-based, on-demand information services.
These services catered to home-bound users, professionals in industry, and others with very
specific requirements. Information was condensed, customized, and delivered
electronically or in-person.

Key Features:

 Commercialization of information services 3.2 Documentation Centres

 Information consulting and brokering
 Personalized knowledge delivery Before World War II, research activity was largely an individual affair. But the situation
changed rapidly, and it became a team effort. Both government and private organisations
Examples of Service Providers: started funding research and development activities. Specialisation became the norm, and an
information explosion occurred in science and technology. Keeping up with new
 Arthur D. Little Co.
developments in any single discipline became difficult for scientists, engineers, and
 Lockheed Information Services
technologists. Traditional library-based information services proved inadequate for
 PREDICASTS
specialised research needs, leading to the establishment of documentation centres.
 SDC (System Development Corporation)
 New York Times Information Bank One of the primary functions of a documentation centre is to inform specialist users about
current and recent literature of value to them. However, the functions can vary depending on
Users: Corporate clients, engineers, decision-makers, home users
the centre's nature:
Services:
 Local Documentation Centres support the activities and programmes of their parent
 On-demand information retrieval
organisation. They collect and provide information relevant to the institution's work.
 Customised technical reports
 National Documentation Centres perform functions that are beyond the means of
 Consultancy and market intelligence
local centres and are often government-funded. It is recommended that 5% of the
 Repackaging of complex data for end-user use
national R&D budget be allocated to national centres.

In India, most documentation centres are government-established, while in countries like the
UK, a mixture of centralised and decentralised models exist. The modern trend leans toward
network concepts, pooling, and sharing resources for maximum productivity.

3.3 Information Analysis Centres (IACs)

The concept of information analysis activities dates back to the 19th century, but
systematically organised centres emerged later. The Weinberg Report highlighted their

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importance in science and technology. These centres go beyond mere information India has several data centres established under the NISSAT programme. One example is the
dissemination and retrieval—they create new, analysed information. National Information Centre for Crystallography. Globally, the World Data System (WDS)
holds significant data on solar, geographical, environmental, and human dimensions.
The key characteristics of an IAC are:
3.5 Referral Centres and Clearing Houses
 Staffed by knowledgeable scientists and engineers who act as interpreters of data.
 Producing new evaluated information such as critical reviews, state-of-the-art 3.5.1 Referral Centres
monographs, or data compilations.
 Serving a broader community than just the parent institution. Referral centres act as intermediaries directing users to appropriate sources such as libraries,
individuals, or institutions. Their primary role is to:
A formal definition by COSATI describes an IAC as a structured unit for acquiring,
evaluating, synthesising, and presenting information in a defined field for maximum utility.  Maintain an inventory of information resources
 Publish directories of information resources
3.4 Data Centres  Analyse relationships within scientific information networks

Data is crucial for research and societal development. Modern data centres handle huge They operate at local, regional, and international levels.
volumes and complex types of data, requiring systematic management. According to
UNESCO, a data centre is an organisation managing quantitative numerical data, primarily 3.5.2 Clearing Houses
focusing on data collection, organisation, dissemination, and providing measurement
Clearing houses serve as central agencies for document collection and distribution. They may
services.
also perform referral centre functions by answering specific questions and directing users to
A typical data centre includes: the right sources. Existing largely in the US and UK, these centres maintain information
networks and cater to R&D needs.
 An organised data collection (database)
 Connection with data sources 3.6 De-institutionalised Information Services
 Interaction with users
3.6.1 The Shift
Modern data centres support operations like Internet connectivity, LANs, WANs, and
intranets. The functions include: With the advent of ICT, access to information has become decentralised. The role of
librarians and traditional information professionals has evolved. Today, individuals can
 Data collection access information independently—this is termed as the de-institutionalisation of information
 Data control services.
 Data codification
 Data organisation 3.6.2 Information Brokers
 Data retrieval
Information brokers are individuals or firms that provide information for a fee. Unlike
libraries, where services are free to users, brokers operate on a profit basis. Services include:

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  Market research Libraries and institutions that help users access and understand knowledge act as knowledge
 Information repackaging mediators. They play a vital role in the information transfer chain and remain relevant despite
 Literature searches technological changes.
 Seminars and workshops

3.6.3 Human Networks

In organisations, interpersonal sources of information often serve as the primary information

channel. Informal communication networks such as gatekeepers, internal/external stars, and
organisational social systems are crucial for efficient information transfer.

3.6.4 Information Networks and Flows

Organisations have both formal and informal communication flows. Informal networks exert
a powerful influence and support spontaneous, flexible information dissemination.
Individuals with strong knowledge bases play key roles in these networks.

3.6.5 Information Filters

Information filters act as intermediaries between users and sources. They evaluate
information and forward the most relevant content to users. Filters serve both:

 Users (help find useful information)

 Sources (help reach potential users)

3.6.6 Disintermediation

Disintermediation refers to users accessing information without third-party help. It is linked

to end-user empowerment, where individuals possess the skills and tools to find information
independently. However, intermediaries still play a vital role, especially for users who prefer
curated information services.

3.6.7 Knowledge Mediators

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