E-Government Education in Public Libraries: New Service Roles and Expanding Social Responsibilities

The provision of e-government in public libraries has created significant new responsibilities and expectations for libraries. Drawing from a range of data collection sources, this article explores the efforts in and issues raised by public libraries providing e-governmenteducation to patrons. To date, this area lacks sufficient attention, yet e-government education requires librarians to help patrons navigate major life issues and to have knowledge about information, technology, and government structure. As a result, e-government education is an important new service role of public libraries. This article examines the efforts of and issues faced by public libraries, as well as professional, educational, and research endeavors that could help libraries better meet this important new service role.