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Introduction
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Private Sector Knowledge
What is a book?
What is a periodical?
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Non-Print Material
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Information Produced in the Private Sector

The private sector (i.e. non-governmental) also produces information and knowledge. Commercial newspapers, magazine and book publishers, the film and television industry, corporate laboratories, business research firms, associations, advocacy groups, and think tanks, all gather data and produce information.

These publications take many forms: magazines, books, bulletins, conferences, pamphlets, videos, technical reports, and company annual reports are but a few. Some are intended for internal use within the organization and may not be available to the general public. Companies and laboratories often patent or trademark information that is the result of their research. Patents and trademarks give the holder of the patent or trademark exclusive rights to the information.

When using any publication, it is important to know as much as possible about the organization, its goals and motives, and its reputation. Points of view, as well as goals and motives, are reflected in the information organizations produce.

How might the information from a business publication--primarily concerned with the research, development and promotion of a product--differ from that of a consumer advocacy group? Even advocacy groups or organizations which are formed around particular issues, political or social agendas, have differing and conflicting perspectives of the same issue. Consider the different (and valid) interests of International Paper--a major contributor to the economic viability of the area, and those of the local Sierra Club.

As student researchers, it is important to consider these issues before you begin your research. How the knowledge produced by the government, college professors, or the corporate world is organized by libraries and the information industry will be presented in Lesson 2.