Public libraries in the Information Society
A study on "Public libraries in the Information Society" is being carried out for the European Commission, DG XIII, by a consortium consisting of the Danish Library School, the Danish Library Authority and the Deutsches Bibliotheksinstitut. The study, financed by the "Libraries" sector of the Community's Telematics Applications programme, examines the challenges for public libraries in Europe in establishing their role in the Information Society. Its aim is to accelerate the process of change by analysing the needs, the types of possible services, the barriers and the opportunities in different types of communities. The study will define models and scenarios which offer public libraries practical guidance, as well as offer recommendations to the Commission on actions to support modernization of public libraries in Europe. As part of the study, individual case studies are being conducted in a number of city libraries across Europe. In addition, country-wide studies will cover Belgium, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Scandinavia (regional study), Spain and the UK. Relevant experiences and developments in public libraries outside the European Union will also be taken into account. A workshop to review the initial results of the study was held by the European Commission on 8 July 1996. The objectives of this workshop were to evaluate the initial findings and recommendations, to consider their potential impact on the public libraries in the European Union, to discuss barriers to the take-up of recommendations and to suggest a plan of action.