Polish Public Libraries as Intermediaries in Accessing Information and Public Services (e-Government) in the Opinion of Librarians
Polish Public Libraries as Intermediaries in Accessing Information and Public Services (e-Government) in the Opinion of Librarians

Summary/Abstract: PURPOSE/THESIS: The aim of this paper is to present opinions of the librarians on the role of public libraries as intermediaries in accessing public information and services in Poland. APPROACH/METHODS: The following hypothesis was adopted: public libraries have means and are willing to act as an intermediaries in accessing information and public services for citizens. The research hypothesis was verified with the results of a survey, which was sent to libraries in three voivodeships: Małopolskie, Mazowieckie and Świętokrzyskie. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results prove that the level of interest of Polish public libraries in mediating the access to public electronic information and services is very low. In most cases the following approach was observed: users do not need it, there is not enough place in the library, the library lacks staff and there are too serious financial shortages. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Data presented in this paper provide basic overview on the topic previously not being addressed in any research of that scope in Poland.

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