The current information landscape offers a plethora of options for accessing the various formats and types of information discussed earlier. Libraries , both public and academic, are vital institutions for collecting and preserving local information resources for a specific community. Libraries also add value to the information retrieved, by providing technical expertise in organizing information through cataloging of information resources. Librarians also help interpret and sift through the information glut now obvious around us.
Personal contacts are often an extremely valuable method of information access.
Interviewing an expert on non-point pollution, or calling a regional Agricultural Extension agent to obtain statistics not obtainable elsewhere, or conducting your own research study are all ways of accessing information. Personal contacts with appropriate individuals and organizations often provide unique perspectives or special information. Computer networks offer a new potential to satisfy many of our information needs from home, in our office, or, with a laptop computer, from virtually anywhere. To a great extent, technical issues determine the quality of our experiences with computer networks.