The Impact of Technology and Networks on the Future of Rural Public Library Service

THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE is to discuss the impact of technology and networks on the future of rural public library service, and to describe how this impact will improve the quality and accessibility of service to the rural library patron.'John W. Head in a summary article on rural public libraries in the 1979 A L A Yearbook stated that: "A great many rural libraries are weak in both staff and collection.Many function without trained staff and have materials budgets that while never adequate, are now falling further short because of increased book and periodical costs.There are some fine libraries in rural areas, but the great majority are correctly perceived by the community as weak, minor community resources."2Based on this assessment, technology and networking, in order to have an impact of any consequence, would seem to face an uphill battle.However, there is no need to count out the rural public library if a commitment to information services can be developed within the community.It may necessitate a reorientation of thinking, away from the negative images of "small" and "weak" toward one of fulfilling community information needs and expectations through access to resources using current and potential technological and networking developments.Technology and networking will change service patterns and create new potentials for improved rural public library service.Since large library collections and highly trained staff are not typical of rural