Florida Report on E-Government and Libraries

Link to August 22 libraryjournal.com post, "E-Government at Florida Libraries: More Support, Coordination Needed".

Excerpt:

Amelia Gibson and Drs. John Carlo Bertot and Charles R. McClure, with other Information Institute staff at Florida State University, recently completed a study, Florida Public Libraries and E–Government: Services, Issues, and Recommendations, which suggests that libraries have become more than simply access points to government information and forms but places where residents seek program assistance.

The challenge for libraries, as we've seen it at Middleton, is providing the staff time for those people who require extensive assistance -- and whose first response is likely to be "I know nothing about computers". I don't think our best long-term response is "you'll need to have a friend or family member help you out". But with most libraries, whose staffs are already stretched thin just managing busy public access computer operations, it's sometimes the best worst option we can offer. Many libraries now offer one-on-one instruction, in addition to computer classes (which have their own limits in addressing personal needs), but neither is going to help the person expecting to leave the library satisfied.

Excerpt:
Recommendations:
The report recommends that libraries reach a statewide consensus on how best to provide e-government services and resources; service levels could vary by library size, numbers of public access computers available. It suggests that libraries within the state form a consortium to maintain e-government resources and exchange best practices. It recommends that libraries and state agencies should collaborate on the design and implementation of e-government services and resources, which could lead to better support for librarians needing assistance.

It also recommends increased library staff training in e-government, with the help of local and state agencies. Finally, national, state and local governments should directly support libraries as providers of e-government services and resources. One possibility “is to implement an agency charge-back mechanism, similar to efforts in which government agencies routinely engage through outsourced services.”

The WLA Library Development & Legislation Committee has talked about this issue, particularly as it applies to libraries and state agencies. I think we have an opportunity to work with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development in the redesign of its jobs website (DWD stafff will be the first to admit it's seriously out of date) and the revamping of its job assistance resources.

What e-government discussions are taking place within other WLA units? In other state library organizations?

Related reading.
Addressing the need for staff training: "Florida E-Government: Does it turn librarians into inept social workers?" at LibraryLaw blog, May 22, 2007, post.