Action plan

From the case studies and general research, the authors recommend public library 

services to follow this action plan for involvement in e government:

  Ensure a seat at the information management group of the council or 

wherever the corporate e strategy is developed. Ensure the library has its

own well developed e strategy.

  Promote the library as the public service institution best suited to deal 

with enquiries about council services, and to organise knowledge of them.

  Train all staff to an appropriate level of ICT and retain those cataloguing skills.

  Make staff available to train the public. 

  Be an advocate for e delivery. Share the lessons libraries have learned in 

delivering e services over the years.

  Lead in the roll out of transactional services, but be aware of the cultural 

changes required in the library and in the rest of the council.

  Don't simply introduce e services to meet targets. Treat all new service developments

alike, following research and marketing.

  Demand library management systems that provide timely and comprehensive 

management information.

  Exploit community links to position the library within the council and the 

community.

  Use community links to validate and develop content. Engage the community, 

particularly those on the  wrong  side of the digital divide, 

to ensure that content is relevant.

  Create effective and active partnerships. 

  Engage, or become, a marketing specialist. Marketing will be essential in 

achieving a shift to Electronic Service Delivery (ESD).

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