RIDGEFIELD — The Ridgefield Library will welcome Ridgefield resident and IBM executive John Patrick, the author of the newly-released book Net Attitude, for a lecture entitled “The Future of the Internet” on Thursday, November 1, at 7 pm, in the Dayton Program Room. The lecture, geared toward adults and teens alike, will be followed by a question and answer session and book signing.

Mr Patrick, IBM’s vice president of Internet technology, will provide an exciting vision of the power and the potential of the Internet, demonstrating how companies of all sizes are using the Internet to transform the way they do business. He will also address the key opportunities that are just beginning to surface, and the potential limitations that may stand in the way.

In addition, Mr Patrick, who is also chairman of the Global Internet Project and a member of World Wide Web Consortium, will discuss the future beyond the Internet as we know it today. He will draw from a wide range of examples from the worlds of business, technology, politics, education, and popular culture, and explore the profound implications of adopting an Internet attitude.

A “net attitude,” contends Mr. Patrick, who has lectured around the world, is something anyone can adopt. “It’s extroverted and people-oriented” he says, adding that one of the fastest ways to get it is to spend more time with teenagers.

“Talk to kids and ask them what they’re going to be doing five years from now with the Internet,” he says. “And spend an hour a week, minimum, on the net yourself.”

Mr Patrick’s program is free. For information call the library at 203-438-2282. Ridgefield Library is at 472 Main Street, Route 35.