Kranich, Nancy. 2002. "Libraries: The Information Commons of Civil
Society." (Working Paper)

Abstract

"In this essay, I discuss the importance of social capital as a catalyst
to rekindle civil society as well as the key role of the library as an
information commons for engaging citizens and encouraging participation in
community life. For more than two centuries, libraries have served
communities in the United States and abroad as information commons. In
that role, they have helped promote an informed citizenry, offering safe
spaces for deliberation and exchange of a wide spectrum of ideas. For a
democracy of the digital age to flourish, citizens need free and open
access to ideas more than ever. The salient tension of our times stems
from those barriers that deny citizens their full information rights. In
the conclusion of this essay, I suggest an action agenda aimed at ensuring
that everyone has the opportunity to participate in a digital age
democracy."