Abstract:
This paper highlights the importance of rural library in information society development. It presents the conceptual framework of a study on the importance of rural library in information society development based on literature reviews. The primary focus is on the significant roles and the key enablers of rural libraries in developing information societies. The paper begins with a discussion on the concept of rural library and information society. The framework suggests three main roles (information and knowledge roles; cultural and linguistic diversity roles; public computing and technology roles) to support the development of an information society. The key enablers of rural library in developing information society are identified in the framework as human capacity; ICT infrastructures, information content, legal-political and physical delivery infrastructures. It is hoped that the framework will be a great contribution to any discussion and research in this area in the near future.
