Nancy Kranich on Libraries as Universal Service Providers
This new 22 page report by Nancy Kranich, KS Consultants, Past President of the American Library Association, formerly associate dean of libraries at New York University, discusses the Universal Service provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and the role of libraries in providing internet access to the public.
- Libraries as Universal Service Providers, by Nancy Kranich, Universal Service Project, Benton Foundation, December 1, 2006 [abstract]. Full text at http://www.benton.org/benton_files/kranich.doc
She says that libraries are now the number one point of access for the public outside the home, school, and work, leveling the playing field for those left behind in the digital age. But universal service programs need increased funding, better coordination, policy changes, and service improvements if every American is to have the opportunity to participate in the 21st century information society.
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Declining readership of US citzens
Newspaper, book, and periodical readership is on the decline. What is the new alternative?
Dennis
Readership declining - Not
Hi Dennis,
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
While the reading of print newspapers is on the decline, book sales are up. According to the 2007 Statistical Abstract of the United States Table 1113. Newspaper, Periodical, Database and Directory Publishers--Estimated Revenue, periodical revenue in 2004 was greater than in 2001, suggesting, though not guaranteeing stable or growing readership.
I'd welcome more information on why you believe that books and periodicals are on the decline. But I think it might be one of those things we hear as true that are accepted without question because people are increasing their use of the Internet.
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"And besides all that, what we need is a decentralized, distributed system of depositing electronic files to local libraries willing to host them." -- Daniel Cornwall, tipping his hat to Cato the Elder for the original quote.
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