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Roles of Information Institutions Explained

Information institutions are organizations that collect, store, process, disseminate and provide access to information and knowledge. They include libraries, documentation centers, data centers, information analysis centers, referral centers, clearing houses, and non-traditional organizations like information brokers and invisible colleges. They serve educational, cultural, and recreational needs by offering members opportunities to disseminate ideas and share experiences. The roles of information institutions reflect how information is created, used, valued, preserved, and disposed of in society.

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Sharon Amondi
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162 views5 pages

Roles of Information Institutions Explained

Information institutions are organizations that collect, store, process, disseminate and provide access to information and knowledge. They include libraries, documentation centers, data centers, information analysis centers, referral centers, clearing houses, and non-traditional organizations like information brokers and invisible colleges. They serve educational, cultural, and recreational needs by offering members opportunities to disseminate ideas and share experiences. The roles of information institutions reflect how information is created, used, valued, preserved, and disposed of in society.

Uploaded by

Sharon Amondi
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Information institution

Redefined role of information institutions is explored through a series of lectures covering


different topics: libraries, archives, museums, documentation centers, the Internet, e-
business, e-governance.
Information institutions are organizations that are charged with the responsibility to
provide information resources and services to meet the educational, informational, cultural
and/or recreational needs of the citizens

IMPORTANCE OF INFORMATION INSTITUTION


 offer members the opportunity to disseminate thoughts, ideas, findings, and experiences.
provide a forum with various channels that members can use to discuss ideas, share experiences,
and advance their professional practices. 

 These roles reflect the many ways in which information is created, used,
valued, preserved, and disposed of by individuals, organizations, and
communities in the conduct of business, scholarship, learning, and
personal affairs.

Categories of financial institutions


Knowledge creating institutions, for example, research laboratories, R & D institutions,
institutions of higher education and research attached to universities, etc.;
b) Knowledge/Information processing and disseminating institutions for example, journal and
book publishers, statistical data organizations, S & T data centers and the like; and
(c) Institutions that collect, store, process, disseminate and service knowledge/ information
recorded in various forms

Types of information institutions


Library
Documentation Centers Documentation activities of a country are very much interlinked with
the research and developmental efforts of the country. Documentation centers are concerned with
the dissemination of documentary information
Information Analysis Centers with the enormous growth of the primary scientific literature, the
individual scientist or engineer is faced with the problem of its retrieval and evaluation, as most
of the information remains hidden in published documents
Data Centers The modern society needs data for planning and development activity in every
sphere, namely, policy making as well as in formulating plan of action. Data are collected from
studies involving observation and surveys
Referral Centers and Clearing Houses Referral Centers may be described as the “information
desk” of the scientific and technical community. It does not provide technical details in answer to
queries or furnish bibliographic assistance. It does not supply data or documents. It directs
enquirers to an appropriate source for the information or data required. Referral may be to
libraries and documentation centers, or to appropriate agencies and individuals. To achieve this a
referral center has certain basic tasks to perform. These are: (I) to inventory all significant
information resources in different disciplines; (ii) to compile and publish directories of
information resources; (iii) to analyses the operating relationships that exist in the information
complex of various disciplines. Clearing Houses, the dictionary definition of a clearing house is a
central agency for collection, classification, and distribution, specially of information. The
definition would encompass all information centers and most special and conventional libraries.
In the parlance of information scientists, a clearing

Non-traditional Information Organizations We have given you some ideas about the range of
information institutions which have been set up for meeting the information needs of the society

Information Broker Information broker is in business for profit. It may be an individual or a


firm. It uses a variety of sources including libraries and information centers to get answers for
the client’s requests
Invisible College It is now well established that there exists, in any scientific community, a
personal network of professionals, related through similar research interests, institutional ties, or
former associations, who maintain a close association by informing each other of ongoing and
planned research, asking for criticism of draft papers or reports, discussing current work in
correspondence or at conferences, and possibly collaborating on various joint projects

Information Filters The concept is concerned with personalized information delivery. Filters
are third parties to the communication between users and sources

Human information resources


Conclusions  Human resources are those source in which any human serve as a source of
information.  An experience and knowledgeable person acts as a source of information. 
Types of Human sources of Information 1.
Information generators 2. I
information gatherers 3.
Information processors 4.
Information recorders 5.
Information disseminators 6.

Information professional-An Information Professional (“IP”) strategically uses information in


his/her job to advance the mission of the organization. The IP accomplishes this through the
development, deployment
There are 4 categories of IPs:
Information intermediaries. -Work between the decision maker and the body of knowledge.
Information technologists. -Operate, maintain, control information systems, and management
of information resources and services

Academic Disciplines of IPs.


a)Computer Science.computer programming, data processing
b)Library & Information Science.Acquisition, storage & information retrieval.
c)Communication Science.Handling and disseminating message and information.
d) Engineering.Communication system, development of electrical and electronic engineering
.e) Business.Acknowledge the role and importance of information systems and decision
support system in activities such as planning, controlling, record management, data processing,
etc.

Types of Information Services
Types of Information Services
Ready Reference questions can be answered quickly by trained staff using
identifiable sources such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, almanacs, directories, Internet
search engines, etc.  Some examples are word spellings, zip codes, definitions of
words, a company address, and holdings information (“do you own Mein Kampf?”)
Search Questions require more than a quick answer. An example of this type of
question would be “how many rose windows are there in the Notre Dame Cathedral in
Paris?”
Research Questions require the gathering and synthesis of extensive information
from various sources. Term papers and other reports are examples of this type of
question.
Instructional Service to patrons is both direct and indirect. Library staff show
customers who prefer to work independently how to use the computer catalog,
periodical indexes, and other library sources, if they request instruction. As indicated
above, customers also receive instruction in use of library resources if the staff needs
their help to complete a search.
Patrons also receive instruction indirectly as they observe the staff using the resources
of the library. When appropriate, the staff explains to patrons they are helping what
they are doing, in order to encourage independent use of the library.

Reference librarians teach regularly scheduled classes on a variety of personal


computer topics, including the use of Internet browsing software. One-on-one
assistance in the use of Microsoft Office products, Internet browsers and other
software products available on the library’s public access computers is provided on a
very limited basis. The amount of assistance available at a particular time will vary,
depending on the level of reference desk staffing and the demands on the staff’s time.

Internet Assistance is provided to help customers develop search strategies for


locating information in free, publicly-available web pages and databases as well as in
online databases that are paid for by the library. Library staff should avoid entering
personal data for patrons who are conducting transactions at web sites requiring this
type of data entry, but they will provide navigational assistance to the best of their
ability.
Readers’ Advisory Service is provided to help customers discover great titles in the
library’s collection.  Please see the What is Reader’s Advisory document.

Common questions

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Technological advancements have expanded the roles of information professionals to include managing complex information systems, deploying digital resources, and facilitating information accessibility. Information professionals must now strategically use technology to streamline acquisition, storage, retrieval, and dissemination processes, thus aligning information services with modern organizational goals. The shift towards digital necessitates skills in data processing, online resource navigation, and user instruction for technology-based tools .

'Human Information Resources' integrate into information institutions as key sources of personalized and dynamic information. Experienced individuals (e.g., researchers, professionals) act as information generators, gatherers, or disseminators, contributing insights and personal expertise that static resources cannot provide. Their effectiveness lies in their ability to provide context, interpret nuances, and offer tailored advice, thus enhancing the depth and applicability of information provided by institutions .

A 'Referral Center' acts as an 'information desk' for the scientific and technical community by directing enquirers to the appropriate source for the required information. It inventories significant resources and analyzes relationships within various disciplines. In contrast, a 'Clearing House' functions as a central agency for collection, classification, and distribution of information, covering all information centers and most libraries, making them pivotal for information flow across a broader range .

The 'Invisible College' fosters collaboration and information dissemination within scientific communities through informal networks. By facilitating the exchange of research insights, critiques, and collaboration on projects, it supports the flow of information and ideas beyond formal institutional channels. This leads to more rapid innovation, a deeper understanding of complex topics, and coordination in research endeavors .

Modern documentation centers face challenges in the retrieval and evaluation of scientific information due to the overwhelming growth of primary scientific literature. Scientists and engineers often struggle with retrieving relevant information as much remains hidden in published documents. The sheer volume of available data requires efficient indexing, advanced search capabilities, and possibly new evaluation methods to ensure that valuable data can be easily accessed and utilized .

Instructional service plays a crucial role in modern libraries by empowering patrons with skills to independently access and use library resources. Library staff provide both direct and indirect instruction on using catalogs, accessing online databases, and navigating digital tools. This empowerment helps patrons become self-sufficient learners, improves information literacy, and enhances their ability to perform independent research, aligning with the evolving role of libraries in a digital world .

'Information Filters' enhance personalized information delivery by acting as intermediaries that tailor content based on user preferences, context, and past interactions. They allow users to receive relevant information efficiently, thus improving user experience and ensuring that the overload of information is managed effectively. In modern information systems, filters are vital for managing large data sets, ensuring users are not overwhelmed and can focus on relevant insights .

Information institutions provide crucial resources and services to support the educational, informational, cultural, and recreational needs of citizens by enabling the dissemination of thoughts, ideas, findings, and experiences. They offer forums for discussion, sharing experiences, and advancing professional practices, thus playing a pivotal role in how information is created, used, preserved, and disposed of by individuals, organizations, and communities .

Categorizing information institutions into knowledge-creating and knowledge-disseminating ones influences their operational strategies significantly. Knowledge-creating institutions like research laboratories focus on innovation and data generation, emphasizing research support and development. Conversely, knowledge-disseminating institutions, such as publishing houses, prioritize information accessibility and distribution. This categorization dictates their resource allocation, stakeholder engagement, and technological investments, ultimately shaping their strategic direction and community roles .

Information brokers operate for profit and use a variety of sources, including traditional libraries and information centers, to satisfy client requests. Unlike traditional institutions which provide generalized information access and storage, brokers tailor information specifically to client needs, often using personalized searches or filters. Their business-driven approach contrasts with the public service mandate of traditional information institutions .

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