Information has always played an important role in people's daily lives. Increases in the quantity and availability of information, and the use of new technologies to deliver it, are changing the ways in which people interact, communicate and conduct their business.

Across the globe and within every community, however, people have unequal access to information and the technologies that support it. The skills required to locate information and discern the quality of what is retrieved do not necessarily come naturally, and must be learned as part of the process of becoming a competent information user.

Meeting these challenges and making the most of available opportunities is now fundamental to any society’s economic, social, political and cultural development.

Information societies can be said to have four principal characteristics:

1. Information-intensive organisations
   Public, private and community sector organisations use information to increase their competitive advantage and promote innovation.
2. A significant information sector
   The information sector is a major contributor to the growth of the economy and supplies the demand for information services and facilities required by the society.
3. The social use of information
   Members of society use information to make informed decisions about their lives across a range of issues from choices about consumer products to exercising their democratic and civil responsibilities.
4. A learning society
   Lifelong learning and personal development are highly valued and actively pursued. Knowledge is considered to be a valuable asset and people with a high level of information literacy skills are sought after in the employment market. This learning society also implies a high level of basic education and a continuing process of learning and renewal.

Moore, Nick, 1999, ‘Partners in the information society’, Library Association Record 101(12), p.702