Multicultural realities in the information age: questions of relevance for public library resource allocation and adequacy

Contends that today’s multicultural realities are inescapable and that together with the realities of the information age, they hold tremendous implications for public library development and mission. Proposes that public libraries build on their traditional role as agents of acculturation by moving beyond skills and language educators to prepare first‐ and second‐generation immigrants to participate actively in democratic societies. Proposes three new roles that public libraries can perform toward that end using information resources.