THE INFORMATION STANDARD - WHAT IT IS, HOW IT AFFECTS LIBRARIANSHIP, AND WHY IT HAS BEEN OVERLOOKED

Big governments are supported by large lax bases. However, the emergin g network of global communications is eroding tax bases, causing gover nments to constrict. Investors who perceive that their capital is not well treated (i.e., excessively taxed), are converting their wealth to digital signals and forwarding it to worldwide money markets at the s peed of light. Therefore, in countries that are globally online, infor mation about capital treatment has finally replaced gold as the standa rd by which fiscal and monetary policies are set. Although largely unn oticed, this phenomenon will have decisive consequences for librarians hip, or any profession that depends on public funding. Therefore, the profession needs to concentrate on preparing graduates for private sec tor placement. Unfortunately, the profession has a culturally based bi as against commercial organizations. Prospects for overcoming this bia s are reviewed and recommendations are advanced.