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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:

Digital libraries, Public libraries

Article Type:

Conceptual paper

Article URL:

http://www.emeraldinsight.com/10.1108/14684520610686328

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