Information 2.0: New Models of Information Production, Distribution and Consumption. Martin de Saulles

We live in a society transformed by the revolution in technology in which consumers expect their information to be free and available at their fingertips wherever they are. It's essential for information professionals and students of these disciplines to understand how the landscape has changed, what the driving factors are and how this has impacted on the information providers, creators and users. Covering every aspect of the new digital information environment from iPads and e-books to the future of information and how it will be controlled, this landmark textbook provides a comprehensive and cutting-edge guide to what's happening, why and how information professionals can have a pivotal role in this new landscape. Drawing on international case studies and current trends it explores the fundamental changes in the four core areas of information production, storage, distribution and consumption, grappling with cutting-edge issues such as: key information trends in the last 15 years such as mass broadband; the rise of grass roots information production in social media, open access publishing and the storage of information in the cloud; how informal, digital methods of information distribution like RSS and webcasting are threatening traditional stakeholders like libraries, publishers and newspapers; how multiple new devices and formats have enabled information consumption at any time and in any place, sparking new behaviours such as information snacking; and, the need for a new information literacy and the pivotal role of the information professional. This is an essential textbook for students taking courses in library and information science, publishing and communication studies; with particular relevance to core modules exploring the information society. It's also an indispensable guide for academics and practitioners who need to get to grips with the new information environment.