The library as a virtual meeting place

The research is part of both my PhD project and the PLACE (Public Libraries as Arenas for Citizenship) project which is hosted by Oslo University College. My PhD dissertation explores the possible implications of the application of the semantic web techno logies in libraries. The PLACE project aims at investigating the possibility of developing public libraries in multicultural local communities into arenas (1) that are experienced as relevant for all groups (2) that can function as meeting places in th e community promoting social capital (3) that fosters the critical mass of cross-cultural communication necessary for democratic processes. PLACE project enters to its final phase by 2010 when the collected huge amount of data should be processed. The ma in goal of my stay in Norway is to work on a common article based on the results of PLACE research project. While the general goal of the project is to investigate the libraries? possible roles in providing meeting places to the public, I will contribute in a specific field concerning virtual meeting places. The independence of geography and space in the lives people live in a digital world becomes more and more important. The library is simultaneously a physical meeting place in the community and a porta l to the web. Public libraries have invested resources in giving its users access to the Internet and also developing web-based meeting places. In my project I aim at utilising this in order to study the interplay between digital arenas and physical meeti ng places. The expected results of the project are: - common article with Norwegian colleagues; - a part of my PhD dissertation; - conference papers; - further research cooperation.