Foundations of Information Policy

Foundations of Information Policy will serve as both a textbook for information policy courses and as a reference for current information professionals. This book's overarching goal is to provide an introduction to 1) specific issues that impact information professionals, information institutions, and the patrons of those institutions, and 2) the broader societal issues that intersect with these specific issues. Toward that end, the book will familiarize readers with the history of, as well as current sources, of information policy before honing in on specific laws, regulations, and policies that impact information. To make the book accessible to and useful for current and future information professionals, the authors will examine information policy issues in a range of applied contexts and invite readers to explore these issues in greater depth through case studies and discussion questions. And, finally, the book will lay the foundation for readers to turn their growing understanding of information policy into action, through activism, advocacy, and education.As there is currently no book on information policy written for information professionals, Foundations of Information Policy will provide a much-needed introduction to and reference text for the myriad information policy issues that impact information professionals, information institutions, and the patrons of those institutions. This book will help information professionals to better understand the impacts of information policy on their activities which, in turn, will improve their ability to react to and craft institutional policies in response to information policy. It will also aid information professionals in their efforts to educate patrons about relevant information policy issues and to serve as effective advocates on behalf of their institutions and patrons.