ICT and social exclusion: the role of libraries

The digital divide in both the UK and the USA is examined. The adequacy of government initiatives to overcome electronic disadvantage is considered. Some of the key findings of research “Barriers to Libraries as agents of Lifelong Learning”, undertaken by the author in 1999, on behalf of the Library and Information Commission are presented. The digital divide is considered in the light of social class, gender and age. Although libraries are unlikely to be able to rectify entirely the effects of material disadvantage, it is clear that they can play a key compensatory role.