Public Library 2.0. Towards a new mission for public libraries as a “network of community knowledge”
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/14684520610686328 |
| Published date | 01 July 2006 |
| Date | 01 July 2006 |
| Pages | 454-460 |
| Author | Gobinda Chowdhury,Alan Poulter,David McMenemy |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
AT THE SHARP END
Public Library 2.0
Towards a new mission for public
libraries as a “network of
community knowledge”
Gobinda Chowdhury, Alan Poulter and David McMenemy
Department of Computer and Information Sciences,
University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
Abstract
Purpose – This article seeks to propose a new vision for public libraries in the digital age.
Design/methodology/approach – This conceptual paper is based on an understanding of the
recent developments in ICT, internet and digital libraries; and also on the authors’ personal experience
in research and development in library and information science – especially in relation to public
libraries – and digital libraries.
Findings – The study argues that currently there are no proper mechanisms for capturing,
preserving and disseminating community knowledge, and proposes that public libraries in the
digital age should take a new role whereby they should act not only as a gateway to knowledge, but
also as a platform facilitating the creation of, and access to, local community knowledge. Proposes a
model for PL2.0 where public libraries can take on this new role to build a network of community
knowledge.
Research limitations/implications – The paper proposes a conceptual model for the second
generation of public libraries, and further studies are required to test and implement the model.
Practical implications – The paper proposes that the new role of public libraries will be to shift
from solely providing access to knowledge to acting as a platform for the storage and dissemination of
local community knowledge within the global context created by twenty-first century digital
technologies.
Originality/value – The proposed model will bring in a “cultural change” by giving a new role to
public libraries in preserving and disseminating community knowledge.
Keywords Public libraries,Digital libraries
Paper type Conceptual paper
Introduction
Public libraries all over the world, and particularly in the UK, are struggling to find a
new, unique and vital source of value. Following the vision of people such as Andrew
Carnegie, they started out in the nineteenth century as “street corner universities”.
Now, however, internet and web technologies provide distance learning at all levels
and in all subjects to people in their homes and workplaces. Public library enquiry desk
services have seen web search engines take over their role. Subsequently, public
libraries moved into lending fiction books and later moved on to lend records, tapes,
CDs and DVDs, and most recently they have begun to espouse reader development.
However, competition from the private sector has become intense, with bookshops and
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
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OIR
30,4
454
Refereed article received
20 May 2006
Revision approved for
publication 8 June 2006
Online Information Review
Vol. 30 No. 4, 2006
pp. 454-460
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
1468-4527
DOI 10.1108/14684520610686328
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