Information Management Skills Technology changes, information management problems stay the same (Etzel and Thomas 1996). For some people, the problem is one of access, or being "ex-communicated" from the information society by the information technology economy (Fortner 1995). For others, the problem is coping with information glut. The abundance of information channels and sources forces people to choose between an excess of options, or they choose to focus on a limited but more manageable flow of data (ibid.). This problem is exacerbated by chronic fear of incompleteness or intimidation in learning the mechanics of using hardware and software (Haywood 1997). In the pre-Web world, library classification systems allowed information seekers to experience both specificity and serendipity. Now, the Web has many serendipities, but achieving specificity is more difficult (ibid.). Other information management problems are emerging in the electronic environment. Computers lend an aura of authority to the information found through them, leading users to make assumptions about the nature, quality, and completeness of what they find (Froehlich 1997; Kerka 1999). Furthermore, information seekers tend to give too much weight to information that has the following characteristics: readily available, consistent with past experiences, “vivid” rather than pale, or encountered sooner rather than later (Froehlich 1997). The lack of restrictions and the ease with which data can be manipulated on the Internet have increased the proliferation of misinformation and the incidence of fraud (Kerka 1999). Different learning styles, affective states, and technical skills all have an effect on the outcome of an information search (Information Management 1998; Wang and Tenopir 1998). These factors underlie the need for information management skills. The key to information management is self-management, keeping in mind that the goal of information seeking is to find answers to questions that are meaningful to the person. With this goal in mind, you can free yourself from the anxiety of keeping up with everything, accept the need for continuous learning, remember that non-Internet sources of information remain useful, and seek to develop both information-seeking skills and the ability of critical analysis. , integration and application. Etzel and Thomas (1996) recommend using an information management strategy derived from your personal or professional goals. When developing such a strategy, ask yourself: Will this information help me achieve my goals? When deciding what to keep, remember that information is perishable and its importance diminishes over time. Ask yourself: when, how and in what situation will I use this information again?