It is suspected by many that short term benefits are given priority over the long-term public good. Business models are being implemented in public institutions to introduce more cost-effective programs. There may, for example, be no means to purchase pre-1990 publications, discarded in cost savings measures because they are not purchased as frequently and warehousing costs are high. Technology is allowing for easier accessibility and dissemination of information for a variety of publics due to an apparent low-cost dissemination via the internet. The trend among more technologically advanced nations and institutions, and national and international public organizations and agencies is to publish almost exclusively using Internet and CD-ROM technology.
Many documents are available only in electronic formats.
Detailed end-user needs analyses seem rare but nevertheless print publications are increasingly being discontinued and sometimes are replaced with web versions. Frequently there is no public announcement to recipients and subscribers. Electronic and CD-ROM versions are frequently excluded from depository library distributions. Organizations with publications targeted for the developing world may not be reaching it. World statistics for internet usage show averages of 1 out of every 4 to 6 people with access in developed countries and 1 out of every 500-10,000 people with access in developing countries.