Books and journals Case studies Expert Briefings Open Access
Advanced search

Public Library 2.0: Towards a new mission for public libraries as a “network of community knowledge”

Gobinda Chowdhury (Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK)
Alan Poulter (Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK)
David McMenemy (Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK)

Online Information Review

ISSN: 1468-4527

Publication date: 1 July 2006

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

  • Public libraries
  • Digital libraries

Citation

Chowdhury, G., Poulter, A. and McMenemy, D. (2006), "Public Library 2.0: Towards a new mission for public libraries as a “network of community knowledge”", Online Information Review, Vol. 30 No. 4, pp. 454-460. https://doi.org/10.1108/14684520610686328

Download as .RIS

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2006, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Please note you do not have access to teaching notes

You may be able to access teaching notes by logging in via Shibboleth, Open Athens or with your Emerald account.
Login
If you think you should have access to this content, click the button to contact our support team.
Contact us

To read the full version of this content please select one of the options below

You may be able to access this content by logging in via Shibboleth, Open Athens or with your Emerald account.
Login
To rent this content from Deepdyve, please click the button.
Rent from Deepdyve
If you think you should have access to this content, click the button to contact our support team.
Contact us
Emerald Publishing
  • Opens in new window
  • Opens in new window
  • Opens in new window
  • Opens in new window
© 2021 Emerald Publishing Limited

Services

  • Authors Opens in new window
  • Editors Opens in new window
  • Librarians Opens in new window
  • Researchers Opens in new window
  • Reviewers Opens in new window

About

  • About Emerald Opens in new window
  • Working for Emerald Opens in new window
  • Contact us Opens in new window
  • Publication sitemap

Policies and information

  • Privacy notice
  • Site policies
  • Modern Slavery Act Opens in new window
  • Chair of Trustees governance statement Opens in new window
  • COVID-19 policy Opens in new window
Manage cookies

We’re listening — tell us what you think

  • Something didn’t work…

    Report bugs here

  • All feedback is valuable

    Please share your general feedback

  • Member of Emerald Engage?

    You can join in the discussion by joining the community or logging in here.
    You can also find out more about Emerald Engage.

Join us on our journey

  • Platform update page

    Visit emeraldpublishing.com/platformupdate to discover the latest news and updates

  • Questions & More Information

    Answers to the most commonly asked questions here