The purpose of this research was to explore the possible roles and responsibilities that public libraries might assume in the National Information Infrastructure (NII). Data was collected from September 1994 through June 1995, relying on the following data collection techniques: focus groups, personal interviews, survey data analysis, case studies, participant-provided document content analysis, and phone interviews. The existing Federal public library policy system is examined to determine the degree to which that policy system might have to be changed to accomplish the administration's policy objectives regarding public libraries in the NII, and policy recommendations are offered to revise and extend the existing public library policy system to promote proposed policy objectives related to a new role for public libraries in the NII. The policy review section examines current and future federal funding of public libraries and library management; Library Services and Technology Act; S. 652 (Telecommunications Competition and Deregulation Act of 1995); H.R. 1555 (The Communications Act of 1995); the Clinton Administration and telecommunications reform; and National Telecommunications and Information Administration Information Infrastructure grants. Research findings include the following areas: public library roles; public library connectivity; other barriers to establishing public library connectivity; impacts of public library connectivity; planning connectivity; and a new policy context. Findings indicate that all aspects of the public library connectivity environment are experiencing rapid changes. While public awareness of the NII grows, so does skepticism concerning the quality and benefits of government services. Public libraries must expect to face increasingly difficult times in competing for resources to maintain existing services while simultaneously introducing new Internet/NII-based services. It is illustrated that public libraries can make important contributions to achieving national economic and educational objectives, but to do so libraries must be willing to change in order to provide services most needed by their communities. The report examines several policy initiatives at the federal, state, and local government levels which were developed from the research findings. (Contains 24 references.) (MAS)