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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Recurso educativo Open Access |
| Language: | en |
| Published: |
1991
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED337335 |
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Table of Contents:
- Rural Community Library in 2001. Walsh, Jan Access to Education Access to Information Community Information Services Futures (of Society) Information Technology Library Education Library Science Population Trends Public Libraries Rural Areas Social Change This paper explores what the rural library will look like in 2001, and envisions rural information needs and the roles the library will assume to meet those needs. Demographically, the year 2001 will see an aging population, low population growth, and a rising percentage of racial minorities. Key areas of public concern will be the environment and health of the individual. Women will account for most of the growth in the labor force. Business will become more flexible allowing telecommuting, flexible work schedules, and phased retirements. The aging of the population and the growth of minority populations will reshape consumer demands and library markets. Advances in information technology will enable individuals to obtain products, services, and information that are more narrowly targeted at their individual needs. Demographic and technological changes will require more education of library staff. Continuing education, basic skills training, and provision of the Masters of Library Science program in nontraditional locations or with nontraditional methods will be crucial in 2001. Vision, strategic thinking, and planning will be indispensable. Barriers to obtaining further education are geographic isolation, financial constraints, and family commitments. Universities need to use technology to offer accessible education programs. Staff, library boards, and library funding agencies need to recognize the importance of training in a world where knowledge will become swiftly outmoded. (KS)