A Knowledge Centre for the Community : A New Role for the Public Library

By Poustie, Kay

Book Id: WPLBN0000661240
Format Type: PDF eBook
File Size: 97.08 KB.
Reproduction Date: 2004

Title:	A Knowledge Centre for the Community : A New Role for the Public Library
Author:	Poustie, Kay
Volume:
Language:	English
Subject:	Library science, Professional report., Libraries
Collections:	Public Libraries International Network Collection
Historic Publication Date:
Publisher:	Public Libraries International Network


Citation APA MLA Chicago Poustie, K. (n.d.). A Knowledge Centre for the Community : A New Role for the Public Library. Retrieved from http://gutenberg.cc/

Description
Professional Publication

Excerpt
Introduction: What is the topic? In recent years there has been increasing discussion on the role of the public library. The discussions have ranged from the defining of the role of the public library to more recent moves to incorporate the public library as a key player in the learning society. Major reports in Australia and Great Britain have indicated that unless public libraries are prepared to accept that they have arrived at a critical moment in the development of their services, and accommodate the new knowledge economy and globalisation of knowledge, they will face declining usage and uncertain funding. This paper will look at the role of public libraries in lifelong learning and the opportunities that they have to capitalise on the options that the new technology gives them to augment the traditional and still valuable services provided by the public library.

Table of Contents
Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................... 4 What is the topic? .................................................................................................. 4 Why is the issue important? ................................................................................... 4 The vision ............................................................................................................. 5 Who will be the beneficiary? ................................................................................. 5 Background ................................................................................................................ 6 The role of the public library ................................................................................. 6 A new role for the British public library ................................................................ 8 A new role for the Australian public library ........................................................... 9 A redefinition of the role of public libraries ..........................................................10 What has changed in the role of public libraries? ...................................................11 Examples of Libraries that have become Trainers in Information Access .............12 1. City of Stirling Libraries, Australia: The Mirrabooka Library and Information Technology Centre .......................12 Background ....................................................................................................12 Planning for a community ..............................................................................14 The Mirrabooka Library Information Technology Centre ...............................14 Setting up the Information Technology Centre ...............................................15 Equipment .....................................................................................................15 A strategic partnership to operate the Centre ..................................................16 What services does the Internet Training Institute provide? ............................17 Internet Training Institute Train-the-Trainer courses ......................................17 Appointing and training a trainer ....................................................................17 The first eight months of operation .................................................................18 Marketing the Centre .....................................................................................19 Courses offered by the Centre ........................................................................19 Who is using the Centre? ................................................................................20 Assessment of the success of the Centre .........................................................20