Libraries' Internet revolution

Books will remain at the heart of the nation's libraries despite a huge campaign to connect the entire system to the Internet by 2002, said Chris Smith, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

"Development of new technology will complement but not replace the traditional role of libraries. Giving everyone access to information technology is probably the single most important issue facing public libraries today," he said at the launch of a report, New Library: The People's Network, from the Library and Information Commission.

The report, advocates spending pounds 770m computerising Britain's libraries.