1. The world we live in today: n Historically information professionals and end users have been trained to operate in a world of relatively static information, which is added to relatively slowly in an orderly process. n This world would allow continued use of descriptive tools designed to encapsulate all knowledge in more or less neat categories for future use. n The “gating factor” associated with this process will ensure that real time delivery of information (which is what users have come to expect) is not possible and that only the privileged few will have ready access to this body of recorded knowledge. n In reality, the world we live in today does not resemble this at all!!!

2. In today’s world: n Every information consumer can also be an information “publisher” n Previously established patterns of communication are changing rapidly n Links that worked yesterday are gone today n No one is quite sure what authorship or copyright really means, much less n What cataloging tools best represent this flood of information...

3. n More change has occurred in the past 50 years than in the previous 100,000 years (when language first began). n The next 10 years will make the last 50 appear to be standing still...

4. Two important trends are occurring simultaneously: n Wealth is created more by information than by manufacturing and by services n Technology is convergent (PC, cable TV, telecommunications and the WWW)

5. What is Information Technology? n IT consists of a compendium of digital equipment (an information system?) capable of supporting improvements in effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of information services.

6. Those services can be: n Informational, n Educational, n Recreational, n Or any combination of the three.