Prompt: What is information?

In addressing this question, also briefly discuss the differences

between data, information, and knowledge. Consider using an example to illustrate.
Information is data that has been organized in a meaningful way. The US census contains
data on a large number of individuals, households, and businesses which is then organized to
present percentages about population demographics and the economy. On an individual level this
data has little meaning but when brought together it provides useful information for someone.
Once a person has read this information, understood it, and synthesized it into his/her mind it has
become the knowledge of an individual. Arlene G. Taylor and Daniel N. Joudrey (2009) state
we can use our knowledge to write a book, but until you read that book, understand it, and
integrate it into your own knowledge, it is just information. To me this highlights the most
important distinction between knowledge and information; knowledge exists in the mind of a
person whereas information is something recorded and waiting for another person to integrate
into his/her knowledge.
An example I like to consider is in the form of Lego blocks. When you first take all the
blocks out of a box they all seem like disconnected pieces which could be a symbol for data.
When the blocks are put together they become organized into an object like a building or car
which is a symbol for information. Having learned to put the blocks together to form an object
has resulted in the builder learning and adding building to his/her knowledge. Someone
unfamiliar with Lego blocks would see the building and understand that the blocks are an object
because of their arrangement. The knowledge only exists in the mind of builder once the
information has been learned and properly understood.
Information is organized pieces of data waiting for an individual to learn it or it can be
the communication of knowledge to someone else. A book is a clear example of information but
so is a sculpture, painting, speech, and television show. All these things contain information that
an individual will need to see/hear/feel before they becomes a part of his/her knowledge.
Something important to consider when thinking about information is how it fits into the library
science profession. Rubin (2010) said [t]he goal of libraries as a social institution is to provide
the data that becomes information that increase knowledge that results in wisdom to benefit
society. We help users by using our knowledge to communicate to them information related to
their information wants. After assisting them with their information wants we are able to help
them better determine their information needs so that they can gain knowledge.
References
Rubin, R. (2010). Foundations of library and information science (3rd ed.). New York: NealSchuman.
Taylor, Arlene G. & Daniel N. Joudrey. (2009). The Organization of Information. 3rd edition.
Englewood, Colo. : Libraries Unlimited. ISBN 9781591587002