The current information landscape offers a wealth 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, from whatever source, local or remote. Libraries are an especially valuable resource because they offer technical expertise in organizing information through cataloguing of information resources. Librarians help us interpret and sift through the information glut surrounding around us.
Personal contacts are often an extremely valuable method of information access.
Interviewing an expert on homelessness in your community, calling a regional social welfare agency 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 for all of us 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.