Information Services : An Overview

l) Distinguish between 'Everyday Approach', 'Exhaustive Approach' and ‘Current Approach’ to information. 
The everyday approach to information is when a user is looking for specific answer to his problem and the library provides it either from its own resources or getting it from external sources. Exhaustive approach is one when one wants to know all the information published on a specific subject area or topic. This is generally done for starting research on a topic. On the other hand, the current approach to information is one when a user wants to be kept himself abreast of current information published in his area regular basis.

2) Give one example each of 'information service on demand' 'anticipatory information dissemination service'.

Topic of Information Dissemination Service --Example
Information dissemination service on demand - Reference service
Anticipatory information dissemination service - Current awareness service

3) Distinguish between Information Sources and information Resources.
Information source is the stores or location where .information is kept. Examples are encyclopaedia, database, a library, etc Information resource is information sources that have been institutionalised (or
organised into a set-up like library) in some way and can be reused again and again.

4) List different types of information services indicating against each whether it is `on demand' or `anticipatory'. 
The different types of information services are:
Reference services - On demand services
Referral services - On demand services
Current Awareness services - Anticipatory services
Literature search services - On demand services generally but at  times can be anticipatory
Document delivery services - On demand services

5) What is document delivery service?
When a user is provided with a bibliographic information service, generally with references to documents with or without abstracts, the user may request for full texts of documents which he would like to study. Supplying copies of such original documents is called document delivery service.

6) What is a value-added information service 
When the information is analysed and presented by the information specialists in such a way as to help the user to directly use the information, it becomes valueadded information service. In this process the information is selected, evaluated, analysed, integrated, repackaged and customised (tailor-made) to the user's requirement. Thus value-added information is enriched and better presented to meet the user's requirement.

7) State the steps involved in the process of information analysis. 
The steps involved in the information analysis process are selection, evaluation, validation standardisation, summarisation and synthesis.

8) What is the impact of recent developments in the communication technologies on information services? Explain in four to five sentences. 
The recent developments in telecommunication technologies have led to the extensive use of databases, online and to publication of online journals that are made available through the online networks. In addition, information dissemination services --both on demand and anticipatory services ----are also extensively done over the telecommunication networks, Remote access to library collections, i.e., telereading is becoming more and more common.

KEY WORDS
Added Value: The services or products that are provided in a collated, refined and convenient form to make them readily usable by the users. The added value stems from the convenience, thus, offered to the user.
Bandwidth: The difference between the lowest and highest frequencies transmitted through a  communication channel. Bandwidth is usually referred to by the range they cover. For example, cellular phones are on the 1000-900 megahertz and so their bandwidth is 100 megahertz.
Channel: The medium on which information is stored e.g., a book is a written channel. The term Channel is not reserved for the communication channel as in the telecommunications sense.
Conduit: The physical facilities used for gathering, storing, processing and distributing information.
Content : The information sources and elements.
Electronic Documeut Delivery: The transfer of information from publisher or library to user by electronic means such as videotex, E-mail, online network, or on CDROM.
Information Resources: Information resources are those sources that are institutionalised so that they can be reused. An information resource is an integrating mechanism and brings together information sources with information users.
Online Searching: Searching (of databases) in an interactive mode.
Referral Service: A service which directs enquirers to an appropriate source for the information or data required.
Transmission Medium: The physical link (line) between a transmitting station and a receiving station through which transmission of data or information is done.
Value-added Information Services: Those information services which are somewhat different from the run-of-the-mill routine offerings. Value-added processes are those which can signal the information potential or relate the potential to the needs of a specific environment or user.
(The) User Interface : A mechanism built into information systems and services to enable the users utilise the services in an easy and effective manner. These interfaces make the services more
user friendly

Source : IGNOU Study Material