Electronic Networks - Building Community, 2002

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Public Libraries, Mechanics' Institutes and Drill Halls: Information and community networking

Brendan Fitzgerald and Frances Savage, Libraries on Line, VICNET

This paper explores the way in which the role ,value and potential of public libraries has evolved as a result of public access Internet. In particular, impacts and issues relating to the introduction and subsequent development of ICT in the public library environment are discussed. The federal funded Rural Libraries Online (RLOL) and the Victorian state funded Libraries Online (LOL) and Statewide Network Infrastructure project ( SNIP) programmes have been provided the public library network in Victoria with over $6 million in infrastructure and support. This injection of funding and infrastructure has put libraries in a position where they can play a leading role in effective community networking. This paper foreshadows the issues and implications for libraries and their community role, especially for those libraries that fail to seize this opportunity. Will they become the Drill Halls of the 21st century?