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What is information? Who are the information rich and who are the information poor? How can there be equality of access for users in the light of the economic and cultural pressures that are placed upon information gatherers and keepers? Set against a broad historical backdrop, The Information Society explores the information revolution that continues to gather pace. The commercial value of information becomes increasingly important in a world where data can be transmitted in a split second. Information can become a political tool that can be abused as easily as it can be used. In analysing the different threads that make up the information society, John Feather looks at the ethics of information transfer in the context of the social relationship between the citizen and the state. This questioning, open-minded look at the information profession and its break-out from the traditional boundaries of librarianship will interest all information professionals. It is also invaluable for students on courses in information, librarianship and communications studies, where an understanding of the nature of the information society is an essential underpinning of more advanced work.