TO BE OR NOT TO BE: PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND THE GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE REVOLUTION

Abstract

Beginning with an introduction to the global Knowledge Revolution and the related concepts, the paper argues that while National Information Infrastructure is somewhat technology-centered, the new concept of National Knowledge Infrastructure is biased to human, the current focus of the international community on knowledge assessment and National Knowledge Infrastructure provides an opportunity for the library community, especially public libraries, to recover and expand its role in the society. So far, however, most public libraries have not yet involved themselves fully in the Knowledge Revolution. To be proactive, public libraries should assume their role as knowledge server by interfacing knowledge with people, organizing knowledge, consolidating information and networking global knowledge. The paper then follows up the points with case study in China, including an initiative started from a most impoverished province and a re-engineering effort of a leading public library in this country. Both are aiming at mobilizing information and knowledge for social and economic development through public library system. The experiences of China prove that public libraries can be critical players in the National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the current efforts can be substantially upgraded if making full use of available information infrastructure and cooperating with counterparts elsewhere and other knowledge institutions. To conclude, the paper appeals IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) for taking the responsibility to alert and organize the librarians all over the world, in order to participate pro-actively in the global Knowledge Revolution.