Information science is an enigma, as is its relationship with library science. For many of us it is “souped up” librarianship, while others treat it as a product of computers and telecommunications. Though all of our Indian library schools award a compound degree in “library and information science”, there is no exclusive paper on information science in any of our syllabi. In advanced countries based on information economies, library schools have become schools of information studies or simply schools of information, with a genuine interdisciplinary curriculum. Information is becoming a prime mover in society. Inevitably this has brought in corresponding changes in teaching and research.
In this context Fundamentals of Information Science is an important book, especially for the readers in India where there is a dearth of reliable reading in this area. Kumar is a prolific author known for his comprehensive and systematic writings. This book, the first of its kind in India, bears the stamp of his workmanship. A look at the table of contents shows that this is the first full and balanced treatment on all aspects of this vast discipline. The 31 chapters cover topics ranging from the nature and properties of information, to the value and uses of information, information society, information economy, information management, information communication, information systems and networks, information marketing, information technology, information processing, education and training in information. This is truly a “one‐stop information studies shop”. The text is laced with charts and diagrams where needed, and the index has been skilfully prepared. A list of abbreviations should have been provided, and there should also be a consolidated list of references and sources.
This is an eclectic book which relies heavily on US sources, though the Indian scenario has not been neglected. At the same time, however, some important aspects of the topic from an Indian perspective have not been discussed in enough detail ‐ thus INFLIBNET does not receive adequate treatment, and VIKRAM has wrongly been termed a network when in fact it is a telecommunication carrier (p. 135). The politics of information and bibliometrics are other omissions in the book. Nevertheless, no other Indian book achieves the overall standard of Kumar’s work, and it can be recommended as a suitable textbook for Indian students and teachers.
