The Project
Project DescriptionThe aim of this project is to engage the public in a discussion of their information needs, preference for library versus Internet information resources and their value of traditional library services.
Today, digital media is placing the relevance of libraries in question as citizens' information search is shifting to virtual sources and major Internet services, such as Google, Amazon and Wikipedia. Are public libraries becoming marginalized or will they remain a central source for free access to information crucial for a democratic society? This project is designed to fully engage the public in the discussion of the future role that the Des Plaines Library can play in their searches for personal, professional and civic information. The project will include an outreach effort, public hearings, focus groups and a website to administer an online questionnaire as well as to stimulate public dialogue using blogs and other digital media tools. The project is a cooperative effort between Des Plaines Library staff and professors from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Project PhasesThe Engage Des Plaines project will proceed in the following six phases:
See our Project Phases page for more detailed information about each phase of the project. Grant Acceptance Letter and Proposal | Project TeamUniversity of Illinois at Chicago
Eugene Fregetto John A. Shuler Michael Popowits Amy B. Bashiti Des Plaines Public Library Holly Richards Sorenson Roberta Johnson Brodie Austin |