Guides, clearinghouses, and value‐added repackaging: Some thoughts on how librarians can improve the internet

At the office, during the commute, even at home, it is likely that the topic of a conversation will turn to the Internet. Librarians are finding themselves increasingly drawn into this chaotic environment—some willingly and some not. Using the Internet can be an intimidating and frustrating experience, especially for beginners. Yet librarians, many of whom are novices, are increasingly asked to take on active roles in making the Internet a more usable information resource for their communities. What can librarians do to improve the value of the Internet and its information?