Abstract
Despite almost universal access to schools, libraries, and information, Americans appear no better informed about the issues and choices before them than in earlier days. Citizens are disconnected from one another and new technologies leave many behind in the digital age--some unable to participate fully in community life. If libraries are to continue to meet the personal and civic information needs of their communities, they need to reexamine their core beliefs and strengthen their capacity to move beyond the bounds of informing citizens to engaging them more actively in public life. Today’s libraries are well equipped to serve as active agents of democracy if they take intentional, strategic action to ensure the civic health and information vitality of their communities and their democracy. They have the potential to become the cornerstones of a strong democracy where citizens can come together to make tough choices about issues of common concern.