Library 2.0 - crossing or burning bridges over the digital divide?

Abstract

This paper describes a qualitative case study on the effect of the Library 2.0 model on the digital divide. It’s inspired by the new question of the public libraries place in the modern information society and uses three Scandinavian texts on the organizational, patron and society perspective. Interviews with a chief librarian in charge of an adaption to the Library 2.0 in a Swedish public library and two of its patrons have been conducted to learn more about the subject. Conclusions reached include the value of considering the digital divide in theory and practice, differences in reactions to ICT development in libraries, the importance of public libraries for the development of digital skills.