1. Answer the questions:

1. What type of memory does a human have?

2. What happens to the information when it comes into our brain?

3. When did interest in information phenomena increase?

4. Who has pointed out the three dimensions of signs?

5. What functions does the processor have?

2. Name the key-words that help you to catch the main idea of the text. Lesson 23

Read the text: Information as a resource

Information forms the major base on which the growth of knowledge and so much else depends. Without information decisions will be random ad-hoc choices, projects are unlikely to meet set objectives; reports will not adequately reflect situations. Imagine this situation occurring daily and then multiply it by the numbers of the population because information is used at all levels and everyone has information needs. In general we can suspect that these will not be met. In an atmosphere of almost constant change, however, new services, and new approaches and centres will need to be created if information is to contribute to national development.

So far, in formulating national development plans little attention has been paid to the systematic organization and dissemination of information as one of the vital resources of the country.

The "resource" displays the following features:

1. Information has only recently been accepted as a national resource that is susceptible to study using techniques that have been developed and applied to other areas of human endeavour.

2. Current information systems at both local, national and regional level are really a collection of uncoordinated entities that loosely link information producers to users. There is no overall system in the sense in which the term is normally used.

3. Individuals and organizations are at the same time producers and consumers of information.

4. The value of information is in its utilization.

5. National information infrastructures in developing countries are often non-innovative, fragmented and under-used.

6. Looking at information as a product that must be designed, developed, packaged and promoted on the basis of identified user needs is a new concept that is gaining ground with the application of information technology.

7. Information is potentially a plentiful resource and is also potentially inexhaustible.

At the base level are the conventional library operations of acquiring and organizing materials that form the information resources and providing access to them for users.

With the application of information technology the amount of effort and time that needs to be applied to these basic operations is reduced. This allows staff time to provide higher level services as illustrated in the higher reaches of the figure. As higher levels are reached the tasks will involve dealing with the information contained in the sources and in analyzing, consolidating and repackaging it. Thus time is saved by the user and the benefits provided by the information increases. However, such changes will require an improved cadre for provision of service and there would be a need for a deeper knowledge of the subject fields of the users and closer collaborative work with them. Training for information personnel, who would now need a subject background, will need to include techniques of information analysis, consolidation and repackaging and also of developing expert systems.

The development of this group constitutes an important aspect of government thinking. They can contribute significantly to the gross national product and to employment. They will utilize local materials and reduce the drain on foreign exchange. However, they need a wider range of information in order to be innovative or operationally effective but are unable to support this information work on their own. The solution in several developing countries is for a government centre or centres to be responsible for their support. On-going research is also being linked with the needs of industries. The required technology transfer involves a number of stages and good information flow can reduce the time lags between such stages and result in the more effective start up and continuing functioning of such enterprises.

Planning requires a wide range of information on a whole range of factors. Countries require mechanisms to collect process and make available the required data, such as National and Provincial Data Systems. These data systems are usually outside of the library and information services set up. However, the possibility of links between the two would enhance the capacity of both to provide required development information, especially if information from current research is included in the system.

There is promise of improved availability and access to information sources through national and international networks. The use of CD/ROM will allow rapid access to information within individual units. Staff should be able to concentrate on value added services and become more involved with the user and their problems and projects. The image of the service will be enhanced from improved and wider ranging services.

Libraries will become involved in the creation of non-bibliographic databases in addition to the customary catalogues. These new databases will compromise statistical, geographical, graphic and other data needed for scientific, planning and project implementation work.

Through electronic mail, facsimile and other technologies -as well as improved telecommunications infrastructures information services will be enabled to better provide for document delivery and access to remote databases and networks. In addition CD/ROM will allow for the greatly extended availability of information nationally and across regions especially in cooperative arrangements.