INFORMATION SERVICES:

In the earlier Unit of this Block (Block 1, Unit 1), you have learnt about the concept and need for information. In this context, it has been emphasised that a country's development depends upon the application of knowledge and information rather than just the generation of new knowledge. It may be mentioned tot knowledge and information are available somewhere in the world and they must, however, be made accessible to all kinds of users according to their need: decision-makers, entrepreneurs, scientists, engineers and technologists by means of proper communication and transfer.  

The dissemination of information consists of either supplying the user with the information he needs or giving him an o0portunity to access it. A user's information need usually depends upon the purpose for which he is '"e information. For instance, a user may be looking for data on the property of a given substance or material. The purpose may be to use the property value in a calculation or experiment. This kind of an approach to information may be termed as 'Everyday Approach' to information. On the other hand, a user may want to look at all the information that has been published on a given topic. The purpose may be to identify a research area or to formulate a research proposal. This type of approach to information is termed as 'Comprehensive or Exhaustive Approach ' to information is called 'Current Approach'. In this type of approach, the user tries to keep himself abreast of what is being published from time to time in his area of specialisation and in areas closely related to it. By doing so, the user -- e scientist, an engineer, a decision-maker, a teacher, etc. - comes to know of recent advances or new developments on a regular basis. This enables him to update his knowledge and can be useful to him in various ways. It may give him a new insight to the problem or suggest new methodologies for work. The current approach is 'thus' essential to every active professional to keep abreast of the latest developments in his field and also to every researcher to avoid duplication of research effort.