Overcoming Information Poverty

Overcoming Information Poverty considers the role of public libraries in alleviating information poverty and targeting social exclusion, using a three-level information poverty framework. The book proposes a model for understanding the concept of information poverty, develops indicators for its measurement, and provides recommendations for service improvement based on analysis of public library services at macro (strategic), meso (community) and micro (individual) levels. The topic is of theoretical and practical importance when considering the changing role of public libraries today. The boo is the first time a macro, meso and micro model of information poverty indicators has been developed and applied to illustrate the impact of public libraries at strategic, community and personal levels. Stimulates thinking and debate on information poverty and how it may be addressed by public libraries, education departments, and governmentsUses case studies, to investigate how information poverty can be tackled at the macro, meso and micro level Focuses on how strategic policies to reduce information poverty, filter through to community-based interventions within branch librariesDiscusses mixed methods, using quantitative and qualitative data, surveys, interviews and focus groups with library users and non-users, to conduct a three-level investigation of information poverty.