This paper presents an overview of the emerging information resources management (IRM) concept and suggests reasons why IRM would be a useful framework for educational institutions. An introductory look at current information problems precedes a review of definitions of information and IRM in the literature, and a definition of IRM as used in this paper. There is a brief examination of the roots of IRM in libraries, information centers, and computer and telecommunications technologies. The human uses of information in the decision-making process are considered. A review of information processing in hierarchical organizations identifies approaches which either reduce the causes of information expansion or increase the organization's capacity to deal with greater amounts of information. Costs and benefits of each method and various roles and functions of information resource managers within organizations are discussed. Examples are drawn from both educational and business environments. The paper concludes with a list of 33 references, and a 35-item ERIC bibliography divided into sections covering the historical antecedents of IRM, the impact of information systems on education, assessments of information needs within education, specific applications of information technology in educational institutions, and other ERIC documents on information management. An ERIC author index is provided. (ESR)