In our class reading materials for Digital Government,
authors are discussing the role of US public libraries as effective providers
of e-government. Community members trust to public libraries, so they provide
them public Internet access and fit their all information needs. In other hand,
governmental agencies also trust to public libraries, so they direct visitors
to go to public libraries where they can find online materials and librarians
can help in searching and finding the proper information on governmental
websites. Hereby, public libraries become a default social access point for
e-government by providing access and assistance citizens.
There are 2 main reasons how public libraries become a
social source and center for e-government. First, public libraries in the US
started provide free access to Internet since 1990th. Second, the
role of librarians is very important because they can help to find visitors
governmental information and serve as a bridge between communities and
government structures. Therefore, public libraries could cover wider
information needs, not limited just by providing an access to technologies and
Internet. Nowadays, governments are
reducing interaction with citizens and switching to online services. However,
there are some challenges that people feel difficulties in using or searching
information online, or some of them have no access to Internet. In this case
public libraries can provide an equal access to e-government sources for all
vulnerable groups. Librarians become experts on e-government.
Activities of public libraries funded by federal and
state budgets, and private funds and aimed provide public information services.
Using e-government website visitors can get such important services as voter
registration, motor vehicle services, tax payments, school enrollment for
children in their community libraries. US public libraries plays important role
in the life of their communities and it is a place to learn, use and access to
information, including governmental and educational. It is important to build a financial and organizational
capacity of public libraries as key actors for increasing of computer literacy
of citizens and implementation of e-government initiatives.
This is another example how libraries may help on bringing development and knowledge to communities:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=693968067308774