Information storage systems having a liquid bearing of at least 2 molecular layers on the surface of a rigid storage medium are provided. The liquid bearing lubricant of the subject invention has a low viscosity, high vapor pressure organic liquid. The liquid bearing is maintained on the surface of the rigid storage medium by vapor phase transfer, where the gaseous environment of the rigid storage medium is maintained in a saturated state with respect to the low viscosity, high vapor pressure organic liquid of the liquid bearing. Also provided are novel read/write heads for use in the subject information storage systems.