Service please! Rethinking public library Web sites

A survey of Australian public library Web sites reveals that very few libraries have gone beyond establishing Web sites that provide information about their static library resources and services. Few attempts have been made to deliver a high level of interactive library service to online clients. This paper examines some of the issues that public libraries need to consider in order to rethink the way that the Web can be better used to provide interactive, real time online services. Issues include: commitment of staff and financial resources to online services; developing and maintaining Web technology skills; reclaiming the Web from IT departments; and individual effort versus collaboration.