Sue Davidsen
Managing director, Internet Public Library
No, but their role will change. In many states, the library supplies access to newspapers and databases that citizens use from their homes. Libraries will become managed, vetted storehouses of organized data responsible for licensing, interpreting, and archiving information. Eighty percent of what's on the Net today isn't vetted -épeople shouldn't be using it to write school papers, let alone to diagnose health problems.
Michael Gorman
President-elect, American Library Association
Most of America's libraries offer free high-speed Web access, and a lot of people come in to use the computers. Often, once they're inside and see all that the library has to offer, they end up checking out books. Novels are especially popular, probably because many nonfiction documents are online.
Jessamyn West
Editor, Librarian.net
I can see it happening. The people who can afford to buy computers and Internet service often stay home to read and do their research, which means that libraries are increasingly becoming places where poor people go to use public services. Meanwhile, communities all over the country have to make tough decisions about what should receive funding. When it comes down to a choice between putting money toward the police department and the library, there's no question which one has priority.
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