Diffusion of Information and Knowledge: How Information Becomes Meaningful - Evolving Global Information Infrastructure and Information Transfer - page 89

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Diffusion of Information and Know-
ledge: How Information Becomes
Meaningful
Chapter Overview
The purpose of libraries is the diffusion of knowledge. Over time libraries have shif-
ted from a concentration on the identification, acquisition, storage, access, and pre-
servation of information, a passive mode of services, to a service-centered mode
with more interaction with information users. In a global market-oriented world, dif-
fusion and utilization of knowledge and proactive services to deliver that knowledge
are critical to society. Diffusion of knowledge is a key element in information transfer
and in the information infrastructure. Diffusion refers to the flow of knowledge from
a source to the adopter. It denotes a process of accepting the message, process-
ing it, and integrating it with existing knowledge; it is social learning, embracing the
spread of a new idea within an individual or social system.
The Difference between Dissemination and Diffusion
While the library and information science and social science literature is rich with
differing definitions of “dissemination” and “diffusion,” much confusion exists with
the definitions and use of these terms. The terms are often used interchangeably,
and only through a close examination of these terms and definitions can one have
a clearer understanding of the intended meaning.
Dissemination