Going on ten: community information grows up

To provide an example of a successful, long term online community information network for public libraries looking to enhance their community information resources.

Describes the genesis and current development projects of NorthStarNet, an online community information network comprised of 40+ public library community sites in the Chicago suburbs.

Needs of communities and libraries regarding web hosting and online community information have changed greatly since the launch of NorthStarNet launched in 1995. Original community sites were so individual that content and usability issues were taking prominence. Development of a unique application allows for the creation and maintenance of sites with graphic and technical sophistication by library staff and community members with limited technical expertise. The new application also supports the aggregation of the community information from the 40+ individual sites to make it globally searchable.

This paper describes a service that has successfully positioned libraries as an important resource and technology leader in their communities. Included are descriptions of applications that make the online resource user‐friendly to those that create and maintain, as well as use the site.