Riding the Waves or Caught in the Tide? Navigating the Evolving Information Environment, is an insight document published by IFLA, which is designed to start a conversation in the library sector around 5 high level trends shaping the global information environment.   The trends are:

• Trend 1 New Technologies will both expand and limit who has access to information.

• Trend 2 Online Education will democratise and disrupt global learning.

• Trend 3 The boundaries of privacy and data protection will be redefined..

• Trend 4 Hyper-connected societies will listen to and empower new voices and groups.

• Trend 5 The global information environment will be transformed by new technologies.

Just how will these trends impact libraries, now and into the future?   The document  contains a number of examples for consideration including:

• the emergence of mobile wearable technology like the new Google glasses allows the owner to record what they are viewing without bystanders being aware that they are doing so.  What are the privacy implications for public libraries? How should public libraries respond to this challenge? What impact will this have on the perception of libraries as safe community spaces?
• the latest eBook formats have the potential to reveal a very personalised picture of an end users reading patterns.  What responsibilities do libraries have to protect their readers data when offering eLending resources to the community?

IFLA have also created a dedicated Trend Report website for members to discuss the trends and associated issues highlighted in the insight document.