Internet services in Danish public libraries

Abstract

Considers the potential value of the Internet for public libraries in Denmark with particular reference to three case studies, each focusing on a specific public library, selected because of their innovative use of the Internet in their services. The public libraries selected were: Roskilde; Silkeborg and Århus. Roskilde public library offers public Internet access on a large scale and developed new policies to manage this new service. Silkeborg operates in a management structure which is ideally suited for a library developing information technology (IT) services. Arhus is an example of a library that is changing its structure and focus due to its development of IT services. The 1995 Library and Information Commission public library Internet survey of UK public libraries is used as comparative measure. Concludes that there are many opportunities to learn from this Danish study and the three most important differences from UK libraries are that the libraries have: a strong vision of what their role will be in the information society; a management culture which encourages staff to have more control over their work and to look on change as a challenge rather than a threat; and the ability to be flexible and look for funding from outside of normal sources. Danish libraries put great emphasis on developing children’s Internet services.