The Internet is the information superhighway, and this means that information, even valuable information, can be had for a fraction of the price that it cost in the past. One of the best places on the Internet to find free books on a variety of different skills and disciplines is Torrent networks. A torrent network is a network of files which can be downloaded onto one's computer by using a free file sharing software called Bit Torrent. Created in 2001 by Bram Cohen, Bit Torrent is a decentralized file sharing tool that allows users to upload and download information simultaneously. It is one of the most successful software programs in the world, and a free copy of it can be downloaded from the official website at www.bittorrent.com.
While most people use bit torrent to share movies, video games, and things of this nature, the wise and prudent freelancer can use it to download a variety of different books which are related to their discipline. Instead of going to your local book store to spend hundreds of dollars on brand new books, you can simply download digital copies via the torrent networks. While some people will question the legality of this, saying that some of these books are copyrighted materials which aren't authorized to be distributed, remember that Torrent networks can also be used to upload perfectly legal works, and many authors, musicians, and other individuals use Bit Torrent as a distribution tool which allows them to get their work out to others.
When downloading books from Bit Torrent, always remember to respect the rights of others and avoid the distribution of materials that are owned by others. Having said that, if you visit the book section of a large Torrent Networks such as Mininova www.mininova.org, one of the largest torrent sites on the web, you will find tens of thousands of e-books on a variety of different subjects. These books range from subjects such as proper exercise and equipment to learning how to build neural networks. There is no subject which can't be found, and as of this writing, the e-book section of Mininova has 44,000 e-books, making it larger than any physical library on Earth.
There is no doubt that regardless of the IA skills you decide to develop, you will be sure to find a book on the subject here. I should also add that these 44,000 books don't include audio books, manuals, articles, or comics, which have their own separate areas on the site. Also keep in mind that Mininova is just one of the many torrent sites on the web, and most torrent sites have an e-book section where you can find information on basically any topic you're interested in. If you can't find what you need on Mininova, there are plenty of other torrent sites you can use. Just head over the to Google and type “torrent sites” into the search engine and you will find what you need.
Another source of information is Craigslist. Craiglist in recent years has become one of the most popular websites on the web. It is a classified ad site where people sell everything, and I mean everything. There is a CL section for every major city in the United States, as well as many international destinations, and if you look under the book section, you should be able to find some physical books for dirt cheap. In fact, some people may even be giving books away www.craigslist.org.
The third place where you can pick up free e-books is Google books www.books.google.com. This is another reference library where you can preview books and find information on books from authors around the world. If you're willing to invest a bit of money, and we highly suggest it, since paying for good information is always wise, a fourth place to find e-books is Click Bank: www.clickbank.com. This site specializes in digital e-books, and though these books may be pricey, they are often written by experts who teach you specific skills in specific industries. Of course, a fifth source for finding books is none other than Amazon www.amazon.com, which should need no introduction. Excellent books can be purchased here used or brand new, often for very competitive rates.
With the five sources listed above, there is absolutely no reason why you shouldn't be able to get the books you need for any IA skills you choose to develop. You will need books in order to begin learning the necessary skills, whether you teach yourself or hire an instructor, and these are the best places on the web to acquire them, hands down. Despite this, before you can acquire the needed books, you must figure out the skills you're interested in, those which you naturally have a talent for.