Challenges and Responses: A Comparison of Management Dilemmas and Development Strategies of Public Libraries in China and the United States in Serving Digitally Disadvantaged Groups

Authors

  • Nan Liu Library of Yunnan University of Finance and Economics,China Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63944/ee5.JFEMR

Keywords:

Public Libraries; Digitally Disadvantaged Groups; Digital Inclusion; Management Dilemmas; Service Strategies; Sino-US Comparison

Abstract

 This paper focuses on the service management for digitally disadvantaged groups in Chinese and American public libraries. Utilizing a comparative analysis method, it explores the differences and dilemmas between the two countries in terms of policy support, resource allocation, service models, and librarian training. The research finds that the United States has established a relatively comprehensive legal guarantee system and diverse funding channels, but recent federal policy fluctuations pose risks to project sustainability. Although China has made significant progress in equalizing services, it still faces structural challenges such as insufficient institutional guarantees and uneven resource allocation. Based on the comparative analysis, this paper proposes strategic suggestions including establishing a four-dimensional support system of "Law-Resources-Technology-Personnel" and promoting a "Digital Inclusion Partnership" model, aiming to provide references for Chinese public libraries to improve services for digitally disadvantaged groups.

References

[1] Wshu. (2025). CT libraries lose $20 million as Trump cuts digital equity programs. Mud Luscious

[2] The 48th Statistical Report on China's Internet Development [EB/OL]. (2024). https://n2.sinaimg.cn/finance/a2d36afe/20210827/FuJian1.pdf.

[3] Sheng Xingjun, Xu Teng. (2023). Research on Information Literacy Education inUniversity Libraries under the Digital Scholarship Environment——Taking the Digital Scholarship Services of American University Libraries as an Example. Journal of the Sichuan Society for Library Science, (3), 55-62.

[4] Su Fangli, Lyu Chenguang, et al. (2023). Research on Digital Humanities Services in University Libraries under the Background of New Liberal Arts Construction——Based on a Survey of iSchools Alliance University Libraries. Journal of Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics (Social Science Edition), 42(2), 86-92.

[5] Song Baozhen. (2021). The Legal Path to Guarantee the Information Rights and Interests of"Digitally Disadvantaged Groups". Journal of Northeast Normal University (Philosophyand Social Sciences), (5), 91-100.

[6] Miao Meijuan. (2021). Practices and Enlightenment of American Public Libraries inPromoting Intergenerational Integration. Journal of Library Science in China, (3), 113-127.

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Published

15-09-2025

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Article

How to Cite

Nan Liu. (2025). Challenges and Responses: A Comparison of Management Dilemmas and Development Strategies of Public Libraries in China and the United States in Serving Digitally Disadvantaged Groups. Journal of Frontier in Economic and Management Research, 1(1), 466-476. https://doi.org/10.63944/ee5.JFEMR