Creating and Sustaining Information Networks: The Role of the Professional Association and Learned Society in the United States

Abstract

Technology has created an exceptionally rich information environment, but the ability of virtually anyone with access to the web to become a content provider is raising important questions for how we value, preserve, and collect information and generate knowledge. In these circumstances, the role of the non-governmental learned society may evolve into becoming a platform provider or moderator so that the user might find assurance that what is being generated is of a sufficient quality to be relied upon. This may not only influence use of the information, but also the sharing of information since potential contributors may also wish assurance that they are part of a sufficiently respected enterprise with which to be associated.