Information sources can be divided into different material carriers.

Information sources can be divided into physical information sources, document information sources and catalogue information sources according to their different material carriers. Physical information source, also known as on-site information source, refers to the relevant information directly generated by a specific observation object in the process of movement, including moving scenes, academic seminars, exhibitions and so on.

The word "InformationSource" is translated from the English word "information source". Information source generally refers to the information transmitted through a certain substance, that is, the birthplace/source of information (including the place, source and base where information resources are generated and occurred). The terminology of literature published by UNESCO is defined as the information source obtained by individuals to meet their information needs, which is called "information source". All sources of information generation, production, storage, processing and dissemination can be regarded as information sources.