 The Palm Beach County Library System is an active participant in an American Library Association (ALA) initiative supporting the role of public libraries as providers of technology and community access to e-government information and resources.
A recent Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study entitled “U.S. Public Libraries and E-Government Services,” co-authored by ALA staff, addresses the critical role of public libraries in helping to provide access and assistance to electronic resources at the local level.
In many communities, public libraries are only service-oriented organizations available to help the individuals interact with government agencies and access e-government services. Among the key findings from the national “E-Government Services” study are:
-
71 percent of libraries report they are the only source of free access to computers and the Internet in their community.
-
61 percent of libraries report access to government information is one of the most critical Internet services they provide.
-
80 percent of libraries provide as-needed assistance with e-government services.
The Palm Beach County Library System provides public access computers, with staff trained in their use, at all 14 of its branch locations. Reference librarians and support staff are available to provide “as-needed” assistance in accessing online government resources, in compliance with the ALA initiative.
 ‘E-Government’ Help’ Classes
The Government Research Service (GRS) section of the Library System also offers monthly “E-Government Help” classes for its patrons in the Main Library Computer Center. During the 90-minue sessions, GRS staff demonstrates how to access high-demand E-government forms and web sites.
An important element of the “E-Government Help” class is the one-on-one question and answer sessions that allow staff to guide patrons via computer through the online government service process. Future “E-Government Help” classes are posted on the Main Library Computer Center schedule. |
