Helping library patrons become citizens

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As governments continue to increase their use of digital technologies to provide services, libraries serve as essential community anchors that link people to government services and information and promote civic engagement. Join government experts at the 2013 Annual American Library Association Conference to learn how a newly launched website (www.libegov.org) can help librarians serve the e-government needs of their communities.

Librarians are encouraged to attend “’How Do I Become A Citizen?’ Libraries and E-Government: Meeting The Needs of Your Community,” a session that will be held from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 29, 2013, in the McCormick Place Convention Center, room S402a.

LibEGov is intended to serve as a gateway to selected e-government services and practices, embed librarian-based expertise and digital reference, serve as a point of collaboration between libraries and government agencies, as well as offer guidance on the provision of e-government services and roles to assist libraries as they continue to serve as critical community providers of e-government to a range of populations.

Through partnerships with USCIS, the IRS, state library agencies, public libraries and others, the site brings agencies and libraries together to collaborate and serve the public. The project is funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Speakers: John Bertot, Ursula Gorham-Oscilowski and Natalie Greene from the Information Policy & Access Center - University of Maryland and Jessica McGilvray, ALA Washington Office.

About the American Library Association

The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with approximately 58,000 members in academic, public, school, government, and special libraries. The mission of the American Library Association is to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.