Article 2: Public Libraries and the internet. OLJ task

Article 2

Bertot, J. C., Jaeger, P. T., McClure, C. R., Wright, C. B., & Jensen, E. (2009). Public libraries and the Internet 2008-2009: Issues, implications, and challenges. First Monday, 14(11). Available http://firstmonday.org/htbin/cgiwrap/bin/ojs/index.php/fm/article/viewArticle/2700/2351

The analysis of survey data from the Public Libraries and the Internet national survey reveal that public libraries in the united states continue to provide a vital public service to clients by providing free Internet access services points and the associated support and training. These services are very important for clients in low income or rural areas who may depend on these services for accessing government sites or applying for employment etc. However given the dramatic growth in both the social web and web based services/technology in general libraries are due to stagnant funding facing a battle to keep up with the increasing costs and time required to invest in new infrastructure and training necessary to support their clients. There ability to continue to promote access and reduce already significant digital divides is slowly diminishing.

The effects of these trends have been exacerbated by the current ongoing economic crisis which has transformed a private debt crisis into a public debt crisis which is now effecting state and local government budgets. Libraries are now facing even tighter restrictions at time when client needs for these services have grown dramatically. The funding situation of public libraries seems unlikely to be reversed in future given the existing budgetary crisis in many states.