ABSTRACT
Libraries have had web presences since the introduction of the World Wide Web. Providing access to information provided by the library has been attempted through various means throughout the years but no method has been as popular or pervasive as the uses of library gateways and portals. Development of gateways and portals in libraries has been affected by many factors many of which have been outside the direct control of libraries or librarians. Both the history of library practice in this area and these external factors have had a substantial impact on the state of library portal and gateway development today.
