The readiness factors for "wired" civic engagement are infrastructure, content, and training. American public libraries, particularly those in metropolitan areas, are helping communities build the infrastructure, organize and link content, and provide the training that result in a connected community. This article highlights the continuing role of the urban public library in promoting equitable access to information, linking citizens with local government and community services, and improving the competencies of all community residents in accessing, using, and creating virtual community resources.
Supported by a mix of private, public, and foundation funding, the urban public library is equipping its facilities downtown and in the neighborhoods with the technological tools that ensure public access to electronic information and the Internet. The development of this infrastructure is tied to new library buildings springing up in neighborhoods and downtowns across the country, sometimes in joint use with other community service providers and, increasingly, with intense community involvement.
Metropolitan libraries are supporting, alone and in collaboration, development of content on library Websites that organize and link people to a menu of current information resources on government, community and private sector agencies, and nonprofit organizations. The number of links to local, regional, and national information sources on library Websites is soaring. Content is being arranged to facilitate information seeking by diverse users.
The biggest challenge facing the community in this era of rapid technological change is to make technological tools available while ensuring and facilitating their use. Understanding the gap in competencies and comfort in the use of technology and electronic information, many urban public libraries are developing in-house or collaborative training with community partners for a range of audiences: children, teens, families, seniors, the underemployed and unemployed, small businesses, students, and lifelong learners. With the influx of new Americans to metropolitan areas, the public library is offering