Why study information policy?

While it is difficult to give a simple answer to the question of "why study information policy," this article considers responses to the question in t he context of library and information studies (LIS) education and professio nal practice. The first part of the article considers definitions of public policy and information policy, while the second provides four reasons for studying information policy in LIS. The author relies on his experience in performing information policy analysis and in teaching information policy t he last several years. The emphasis is on governmental policy, especially f ederal, although many of the assertions apply equally to other kinds of inf ormation policies and organizations.