The Information Life Cycle (ILC) refers to the stages that information passes through — from its creation to its eventual sharing and use. Managing this cycle effectively is central to Library and Information Science (LIS), knowledge management, and organizational decision-making.
1️⃣ Generation (Creation of Information)
Definition: The stage where new information is produced.
Sources: Research papers, books, reports, digital content, databases, social media, observations, surveys, experiments.
Examples:
- A researcher writing a paper.
- A government publishing a census report.
- A user generating content on social media.
2️⃣ Collection (Gathering & Acquisition)
Definition: The systematic process of gathering, acquiring, or aggregting information from multiple sources.
Methods: Surveys, interviews, web scraping, library acquisitions, data logging from sensors.
Examples:
- Libraries subscribing to journals.
- An organization collecting customer feedback forms.
- Databases aggregating scientific research articles.
3️⃣ Storage (Organization & Preservation)
Definition: Keeping information in a structured, secure, and retrievable format.
Mediums:
- Traditional: Books, archives, microfilms.
- Digital: Databases, cloud storage, repositories, digital libraries.
Key Aspects:
- Indexing & cataloging.
- Data backup & preservation.
- Ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility.
4️⃣ Dissemination (Sharing & Use)
Definition: The distribution of information to target users for effective use and decision-making.
Channels:
- Traditional: Newspapers, journals, conferences.
- Digital: Websites, emails, social media, online databases.
Examples:
- Libraries providing OPAC/online catalog access.
- Organizations publishing annual reports.
- Researchers sharing findings in conferences.
🔗 Flow (Cycle Representation)
Cycle: Generation ➝ Collection ➝ Storage ➝ Dissemination ➝ (leads to new Generation).
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