THE LOCAL PUBLIC LIBRARY
IN THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SOCIETY
Akemi Yao
Master in City Planning,
Department of Urban Studies and Planning at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
129 Franklin St. rm. 429, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
E-mail: a_yao@alum.mit.edu
This paper investigates the public library as an example of a local institution being transformed in the information technology (IT) society. The paper examines the potential roles of the library from the view points of communities and local governments by focusing on the extension of its historical roles and new social needs in the IT society. Case studies of Union City, New Jersey and the Uphams Corner Library in Boston, Massachusetts demonstrate the possible important roles that public libraries could play in meeting local community needs. After the countrywide initiative that created the Information Highway, it is time for local communities to promote locally tailored "Information Main Streets" that reflect community priorities. The study suggests a need for local governments' active involvement in planning local public libraries in the IT society.
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