Libraries and E-government: Libraries and E-government: Building the Future through Building the Future through Collaboration and EducationCollaboration and Education

John Carlo Bertot

Center for Library & Information InnovationCollege of Information StudiesUniversity of Marylandjbertot@umd.educlii.umd.edu

US Public LibrariesUS Public Libraries

Increased Usage – Service Increased Usage – Service ContextContextSubstantial increase in public

libraries and technology for:◦Applying for unemployment benefits ◦Applying for social services ◦Seeking employment◦Other e-government activities

As many people have cancelled home Internet access to save money, uses of libraries and computers have also increased for communication and entertainment activities

Libraries and E-Libraries and E-governmentgovernmentBroad in scope

◦E-participation/democratization◦Open Government/transparency◦Digital government information◦Services

Hands on resourcesBroad in participants

◦Individuals◦Libraries◦Agencies◦Governments◦NGOs

Libraries and E-Libraries and E-governmentgovernmentBroad in access points

◦Individual computers/laptops◦Mobile devices◦Intermediated

Libraries NGOs

Libraries and E-Libraries and E-governmentgovernmentWhat we know (PLFTAS Survey)

◦ Technology access Libraries offer free access to workstations, broadband,

and Wi-Fi◦ Training

Libraries offer a wide range of free computer and Internet use training

◦ Expertise Libraries offer expertise that helps people understand

government and government services◦ Information

Libraries help people find and use government information

◦ Assistance Libraries help people understand and use government

websites and services◦ Complete Forms

Libraries help people complete immigration and citizenship, social service, emergency benefit, and other online forms

Community Access PointsCommunity Access Points66.6% of library

branches report that they are the only provider of free public computer and Internet access in their community

Overall, public library branches report an average of 14.2 public access workstations, up from 11.0 in 2008-2009

Community Access PointsCommunity Access Points82.2% of public

library branches offer wireless Internet access, up from 76.4% reported in 2008-2009

Libraries offer a range of technology and information literacy classes

Library usage is up across the board

E-government in Public E-government in Public LibrariesLibraries88.8% help people understand and use government

websites78.7% help people apply for E-government services66.3% help people complete E-government forms

Changing EducationChanging EducationE-government Librarianship

◦clii.umd.edu/libegovFunded by IMLS 21st Century grantProgram starts Fall 2010

◦Online, with f-2-f at the 2010 and 2011 Fall Depository Council meetings

Premise◦E-government is different, but builds

on, the government documents tradition

Changing EducationChanging EducationPartners

◦Government Printing Office (GPO)◦Government Information Online

(GIO) www.govtinfo.org/

Program◦Online, part of the UMD MLS

program’s E-government concentration

◦www.clii.umd.edu/libegov

Changing EducationChanging EducationProgram

◦ Coursework Coursework serves as the intellectual and conceptual basis

for the evolving government information environment Information policy, E-government librarianship, E-government, and

more

◦ Practice Through internships with the GIO program participants,

students will develop applied government information skills.◦ Professional

By bringing students together annually to attend the Fall Federal Depository Library meeting, students will become integrated into the larger government information community and engage key issues in government information

◦ Scholarship Through inclusion in the review process of Government

Information Quarterly, students will publish government resource reviews, contribute to furthering scholarship in government information, and learn the publication process

Changing PracticeChanging Practice In partnership with ALA, USCIS, IRS, GPO, IMLS

grant to create a web resource to:◦ Provide an umbrella suite of resources and content,

maintained and updated regularly, that libraries and agencies create collaboratively for all libraries to use

◦ Provide a tool and means through which e-government service providers can work with libraries to provide community-based access to e-government services and resources

◦ Serve as a gateway to selected e-government services and practices

◦ Embed librarian-based expertise and digital reference◦ Offer guidance on the provision of e-government

services and roles to assist libraries continue to serve as critical community providers of e-government to a range of populations

5 State library agencies and numerous libraries as partners

Changing PracticeChanging PracticeInitial focus on

◦Taxes (IRS)◦Citizenship and Immigration (USCIS)

Avoid wheel reinventionWeb resource for libraries and

agencies, not direct public access

Providing ToolsProviding ToolsBased on the 2009-2010 survey data, a

number of tools to help libraries advocate:◦ Issue briefs

Broadband Community Access E-government Employment

◦ State one-page handouts E-government Employment

◦ State Profileshttp://www.plinternetsurvey.org/?q=no

de/31More coming

Key Issues and ChallengesKey Issues and ChallengesTime

◦ Changing educational programs and practice takes time

Collaborations◦ Many levels of government, agencies

Starting nationally, but there are significant state and local components

Roles◦ Where do libraries and agencies

collaborate and leave off? Not all roles are appropriate Liability

Evolving technology◦ Social media; mobile

Some Concluding Some Concluding CommentsCommentsStatus quo

Fewer agency staff, locations, operating hours, and no public access technology

= more people coming to libraries

Libraries responding individually to meet needs, while simultaneously enduring cuts

ConclusionsConclusionsIt is how we bundle

◦Knowledge◦Services◦Partnerships◦Space◦Technology

To address the e-government challenges that will create our future value in this important service area