Methodology
How Did We Design this Site?
The e-government space is complex, spanning federal, state, and local governments. At each level, there are legal and administrative frameworks that govern the digitized processes, systems, and information that patrons, librarians, and others need to access in order to interact with and use e-government services and resources.
We approached the design of this site and its contents through an iterative process that included:
- Site visits at public libraries and state library agencies across the country.
- Interviews during multiple phases of the project with public librarians, state library agency staff, government agency staff, system designers, and others involved in the design and implementation of e-government platforms, systems, content.
- Usability and accessibility testing during multiple phases of the website design process.
- Research conducted on libraries and e-government, as well as general issues and design considerations for e-government websites and portals.
These activities informed the site's development, design, and content. The site has a library focus -- that is, how libraries think about and engage in -- or could -- e-goverment services. Also, what developed is an approach for librarians to assist their patrons. This is different from government agency websites, which predominantly focus on direct user-government interactions. For example, many government websites use help guides such as "how do I...?", whereas Lib2gov comes at this from the perspective of "How do I help my patron...?"
We conducted the primary needs assessment and analysis during Phase I of the project (October 2010-June 2011); iterarive site design, content development, and usability/accessbility testing during Phase II (July 2011-October 2012) during Phase II; and continued development of website content and materials, as well as continued feedback from the library community, during Phase III (November 2013-present).
Work on a site like this is ongoing.
Important Note: Government agencies, and their websites, are the authoritative and official sites of the U.S. Government, state governments, and local governments. This site points to selected resources to facilitate access to the content librarians indicated that they most accessed to help their patrons. Librarians should consult official government websites and/or contact the agencies directly regarding specific questions, concerns, or processes.
Selected E-Government Readings
Bertot, J. C., & Jaeger, P. T. (2012). Implementing and managing public library networks, connectivity, and partnerships to promote e-government access and education. In S. Aikins (Ed.), Managing e-government projects: Concepts, issues and best practices. Hershey, PA: IGI Global. pp. 466-482.
Bertot, J.C., & Jaeger, P.T. (2008). The E-Government Paradox: Better Customer Service Doesn’t Necessarily Cost Less. Government Information Quarterly, 25(2): 149-154.
Bertot, J. C., Jaeger, P. T., Gorham, U., Greene, N. N., & Lincoln, R. (2012). Delivering e-government services through innovative partnerships: Public libraries, government agencies, and community organizations. Proceedings of the 13th Annual International Digital Government Research Conference.
Bertot, J.C., Jaeger, P.T., Langa, L.A., & McClure, C.R. (2006). Drated: I want you to deliver e-government. Library Journal (August 15, 2006). Available at: http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2006/08/academic-libraries/drafted-i-want-you-to-deliver-e-government/
Bishop, B., McClure, C. R., & Mandel, L. H. (2011). E-Government Service Roles for Public Libraries. Public Libraries, 50(2), 32-37.
Jaeger, P. T., & Bertot, J. (2011). Responsibility Rolls Down: Public Libraries and the Social and Policy Obligations of Ensuring Access to E-government and Government Information. Public Library Quarterly, 30(2), 91-116.
Jaeger, P. T., & Bertot, J. (2009). E-government Education in Public Libraries: New Service Roles and Expanding Social Responsibilities. Journal Of Education For Library & Information Science, 50(1), 39-49.