Promoting social inclusion through public library e-government partnerships

Abstract

This paper explores the issues faced by public libraries in the provision of e-government access and education to their patrons and communities, particularly through partnerships with other community organizations aimed at promoting social inclusion of disadvantaged populations. Due to a complex set of factors - including policy decisions, widespread trust of libraries, and a lack of social institutions that play similar roles - public libraries now stand as a significant social guarantor of public access to and education about e-government in the United States. Drawing from data collected through a 2009 national survey of public libraries, a 2009 series of site visits of public libraries, and previous research by the authors, this paper examines the challenges of implementing public library networks and connectivity to support e-government access and education, as well as the numerous management issues raised by providing these services. The primary focus of this paper is examining the dual role of public libraries as providers of public Internet access and education and as partners with government agencies and other community organizations to collaborate effectively in the provision of e-government to meet community needs.

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