Libraries and the Digital Divide

Library public services revolve around circulation and reference services.  This involves direct contact with users and taking responsibility for their needs.  Although there are many types of libraries -- academic, special, legal, government, and public -- all with their own reasons for being, the main reason for their existence is to serve a specific group of people.  Public libraries, for instance, are judged by their ability to meet the needs of the public they serve.

Public libraries began staffing reference desks int he late nineteenth century.  Eventually this expansion of reference services led to more one-on-one interaction with users as well as providing instructional services or teaching sessions for using information sources.  "Such instruction serves two purposes: it teaches people how to use information sources independently, and allows existing staff to assist an ever-increasing user base and/or devote more time to complicated questions."

Since the Internet's popularity in the mid-1990's, public libraries have been key internet-access and technology-training providers for their community" according to an abstract published last year.  Public libraries may be the only source of broadband by which members of a community can use to access education, technological, government, and employment resources.  Rural public libraries, for example, have less of this access than their urban neighbors.

Lower staffing and monetary fund issues are typically the culprits.  Possible remedies include a broader network and lines of communication between Library figures and scholars and underfunded rural libraries to collect data and to seek out sources of assistance.  This would open up access to information and the Library scholars in a position of advocacy for the underfunded libraries.

Efforts to remedy the situation abound and can serve to inspire others.

Works Cited:

Evans, G. Edward and Carter, Thomas L. Introduction to Library Public Services. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited, 2009.

Real, Brian & Bertot, John Carlo & Jaeger Paul T. "Rural Public Libraries and Digital Inclusion: Issues and Challenges." Information Technology and Libraries 33.1 (2014). EBSCOhost.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QxxzJA9nvc. Youtube Video.