selective dissemination of information

library science

Also known as: SDI

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 17, 2026

Quick Summary

Selective dissemination of information (SDI) is a library science service that informs users about new acquisitions relevant to their interests. Librarians conduct regular searches of databases to find new articles or materials matching a patron's profile and forward these findings. This practice grew from the expansion of scientific research, leading to increased subject specialization and a need for efficient information retrieval. SDI can also involve computer programs that scan online resources for items matching a user's profile, helping individuals stay updated without sifting through irrelevant material. This is similar to how news aggregators collect and organize information based on user preferences.12

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…have adopted a practice of selective dissemination of information (sometimes referred to as SDI), whereby librarians conduct regular searches of databases to find references to new articles or other materials that fit a particular patron’s interest profile and forward the results of these searches to the patron.
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…have adopted a practice of selective dissemination of information (sometimes referred to as SDI), whereby librarians conduct regular searches of databases to find references to new articles or other materials that fit a particular patron’s interest profile and forward the results of these searches to the patron.
Read More