Too Much of a Good Thing

Information overload is a problem that affects law librarians every workday. Information overload occurs when the receiver receives so much data that the receiver is unable to engage in higher levels of processing. Technology and cultural influences play a significant role in creating information overload. Law librarians are particularly susceptible to information overload due to the characteristics of their profession. We should care about information overload because it has lasting negative consequences for our profession. Even though information overload is a real problem with serious consequences, there are numerous ways to minimize information overload and its effects.