LIS 753 Post 3

I read an interesting article called “Big Tech for Every Library” by Sarah Houghton. She discussed how an organization called EngagedPatrons.org is helping small libraries that cannot afford high tech services. (The creator of this organization is Glenn Peterson who is a former librarian.) This organization provides free web page enhancements to libraries in the United States that have an annual income of less than $1 million. Larger libraries can receive some of the services for free but the other services they can receive at a reduced rate. The organization provides five services: event calendars, blogs, contact forms, RSS Feeds, and custom databases.

I thought it was nice that the gap between the “haves” and the “have nots” is getting smaller. It is good that finally the patrons in the low income communities will receive updated technology services. I think the nice thing about this organization is that they set up the program for you. Also the services they are adding to your website will look just like your library’s website. It will not be confusing then to the patrons. I think it is great that 50 libraries have signed up for this program since April of 2006. It is encouraging to see that libraries are talking advantage of this service and not wasting it.