Relevance is a fundamental notion in information science. The aim of this paper is to provide a perspective on two large questions, the first historical the second contemporary: (1) Why did relevance become a central notion of information science? (2) In this day and age of huge advances in information technology, why did relevance still remain a central notion? In 1950s, relevance emerged as a central notion in information science because of extensive theoretical and practical concerns with and commitments to searching and not only with organization of information. In turn, searching was connected to and made possible by many innovations in computers and computing. Contemporary advances in information technology brought about great many changes. Search engines, social media, and a myriad of new information resources emerged and transformed the world. Searching for information is used widely all over the globe by all kinds of populations and reasons. However, searching is still based on relevance. Relevance was and still is a fundamental notion related to searching and retrieval of information. Conclusions emphasize that information technology and myriad applications are changing at an accelerated pace. However, no matter what, relevance is here to stay. Relevance is timeless. Concerns about relevance will always be timely.
Keywords: Relevance. Information science. Information retrieval. Searching.