Shaping City Government Through Effective Technology Management: The Changing Role of Public Libraries

摘要

Governments and communities increasingly rely on well-managed, accessible technology resources to improve their daily lives. Rapidly-advancing innovation and widespread use of electronics now require rapid adaptation of city services to meet the needs of local citizens. A well-known fixture in the array of city services is the public library. Technological advancements have transformed the needs and expectations of traditional library patrons and have shifted priorities towards effectively managing choices in technology the facility should offer. This study will examine the issues, attitudes, and trends shaping services in public government, specifically the public library. Using data gathered from a survey distributed to 92 patrons of a small, suburban library, we explore the relationship between personal variables such as age, gender, race and level of education and the value library patrons place on services and technologies offered (digitized media, internet access, electronic resources, and so forth). This study will assist government and library professionals in achieving a fuller understanding of the technologies that different demographics prioritize and will assist in guiding decision-making processes for technology implementation and management at a local level.