The San Jose Mercury News is trying to get readers involved in an overhaul of the newspaper and its website.  The interactive project "Rethinking the Merc" is an attempt to find out from readers what they want in their local news organization.

This is a great example of an organization making more than just a token recognition of the role the public plays - and should play - in deciding the direction of its local news provider.

From the "Rethinking the Merc" page:

Join the Conversation on Rethinking the Merc

We recently made a splashy announcement about how we planned to "Rethink" the Mercury News. We said we were heading out to meet many of you in Silicon Valley to find out what you need from your leading local news organization. Now we're back.

Now it's time to get back in touch. We are creating prototypes this month, product ideas that begin to give your good ideas form. And we still need help.

We're sharing our ideas because we want you to know why we're doing all this. We'd like your guidance on our progress. This is your news organization, after all. And we aim for this process to be wide open, in the best spirit of innovation that's made this valley a leader around the world.

We want to hear your thoughts -- good and bad -- and your suggestions. We're blogging about the process most days at www.mercurynewsphoto.com/rethink or you can drop us an email: rethinking@mercurynews.com.

We would love to hear from you. Please stop by.