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Academic Library System

Notes as they can obtain job related training in the areas of computer and information literacy skills
and good business practices.

8. Social Inclusion and Cohesion, Participation and Empowerment

Libraries perform an important role of social inclusion when they serve the needs of disadvantaged
populations such as the poor, the elderly, the physically disabled, the unemployed and those
with learning disability, because these are exactly the groups least likely to have the means
to acquire such assets as information sources, computers and Internet access (CILIP, 2002).
Libraries also serve as agents of social cohesion. In one study, a participant said: “we are
brought closer to other members of our community through the very act of sharing books with
them” (Usherwood and Toyne, 2000). For this reason, social inclusion and life-long learning
agenda of most developed countries include the founding of new public libraries and increased
information and library provision for learners at all levels and of all ages.

9. Civic Centre and Community Information Service

For many communities and organizations, libraries serve as civic centers, which assist them
in meeting their civic duties by offering meeting space for civic organizations, assisting with
voter registration, and making government forms available, including tax forms. Libraries also
serve as a posting place for proposed changes in local ordinances, and other local government
proposals. As a community centre, the library introduces users to new systems of doing things
during changeover programmes. A variety of other programmes are offered, such as story
telling, technology education, and recreational activities. Valued in most places is the availability
of meeting rooms for voluntary groups, which represent monetary savings to them. Libraries
also serve the public by providing assistance in finding answers to many basic questions: from
how to find jobs to where to find up-to-date health and legal information. The information the
library provides to answer some of these important questions can lead to significant economic
benefits and impacts.

10. Essential Element of Physical Development
Research also found that communities value their libraries as physical assets and a source of
community pride. Indeed, libraries, especially public and national libraries, are important
landmarks in many cities and other communities. Participants in a survey stated many times
that the presence of a new library, or the redevelopment of an existing one, favorably impacted
on its immediate surroundings.

11. Libraries and Citizen Empowerment, Democracy and E-Government
Effective citizen action is possible only when citizens know how to gain access to information
of all kinds and have the skills to become responsible, informed participants in democracies.
This is especially so as e-government evolves. Libraries offer real and virtual civic spaces
where citizens can speak freely, share similar interests and concerns, and pursue what they
believe are in their public’s interest. Ultimately, free discourse among informed citizens assures
civil society; and civil society provides the social capital necessary to achieve common goals.
Through this role libraries prevent the lack of information and idea exchanges which in a
closed society stifles creativity, suppresses the imagination and creates a barrier to social,
economic and technical progress (Berger, 1991). E-government is about using the power of
information technology to provide better public services. The main dimensions of an e-government

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