To: Burnis Morris

From: Troy Hemingway

Re: Cabell County Public Library/Library Board Investigative Story
Date: March 30, 2011


Subject: Growth of Technology (Internet and e-books) and how it has impacted the library

Scope: The growth of technology and emergence of the information age has affected the entire world. Libraries have had to evolve with the technology and I will investigate different programs and shifts the library has introduced to better serve the public.

Need: Libraries have long been a big part of the community. People use the library for many different functions so it is important that the public knows what is now being offered beyond just books.

Methods: The method of this story will be investigative with an anecdotal lead. I want the story to investigate how changes have affected the library, but also tell a story of what is now being offered and how people can use the resource.
Sources: The sources of this story will be interviews. I plan to interview at least one member of the board, the director of the library and some library employees. I want a broad scope of input.
Presentation: This story will be hard news, but with an anecdotal lead. It is very newsworthy for people to know the current state of the library. A misconception is that the library only offers books and computers, but that is not the case. I will also include charts to show funding and growth of certain aspects of the library.

Follow-up: This story definitely has the potential to have follow-up stories. As the library grows and evolves, it will allow for more and more stories. The library is too important to become insignificant. People need to learn about the great resources that are available.