Instant Information Needs and Alberta’s Cabinet Shuffle

The need for instant information is well illustrated by family and friends desperate to know the condition of their loved ones in Haiti. Anyone who works in libraries can share a story about someone whose need for information was vital. Often what is considered vital information is coloured by personal perspective. Yesterday, one perspective on what is considered vital information might have been Alberta’s cabinet shuffle.

If that was a vital piece of information, the information need would have been fulfilled.

First came elevator rumours about a cabinet shuffle. Then media reports of cabinet shuffle rumours. On the morning of January 13, 2010, government librarians mentioned that they were too busy to meet because of “the cabinet shuffle” and at noon there was a government news release and an almost simultaneous newspaper report announcing the new team. At 2:02, Premier Stelmach’s Twitter account had a tweet about the new team.

The information didn’t stop there of course. Television news had plenty of time to get the story for early, dinner hour, and late newscasts. The commentary on various positions and editorials will continue seemingly forever.

It is difficult to update a government website though when the information is not quite official. The Government tab on Alberta.ca says this:

On Wednesday, January 13, a new Cabinet was appointed. These changes will not be reflected on this page until the new ministers have been sworn in. The new Cabinet will be sworn in Friday, January 15 at 10 a.m. at Government House. Read more.

Right, the new guys aren’t the Ministers yet…