7 December 2011

Library 2.0: Supporting Underserved Communities

taliawhyte Global Wire Associates American Library Association, Berkman Center for Internet & Society, digital divide, Digital Public Library of America, economic disparities, public library, rural libraries, urban libraries

With the advent of e-books, audio books, Kindles and other devices that make the art of reading a digital experience, many wonder with the declining number of bookstores, what will happen to public libraries.  For those of us who are lucky to live in places where a library exists, they are not only spaces to read and lend out books, but they also act as community meeting spaces.

However, the increase in digital media has also been compounded with the current economic downturn, which has contributed to the budget cuts and closings of many public libraries around the United States.  Even more unfortunate is that many of these endangered public libraries are serving marginalized populations in rural and inner city areas.

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