Thanks to Ann Higgins for sending me an article on libraries and Internet access (Libraries strained by Internet use).
Libraries are bursting at the seams with people wanted to access the Internet. Here are some of the interesting stats from a recent survey (Libraries Connect Communities: Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study 2006-2007):
73 percent of libraries say they are the only source of free public access to computers and the Internet in their communities- More than 30 percent of Americans do not own desktop computers or have Internet access at home.
- Visits to public libraries are way up — 1.3 billion in 2004, compared with 821.6 million a decade earlier
- “The queues at library computers are growing for three primary reasons, the survey said: Students seeking educational Web resources (67.7 percent); job seekers sending résumés and applications online (44 percent); and people trying to learn computer and Internet skills (29.8 percent).”
I was just talking about this with my brother in law today. When I moved to Ireland, it took 2 weeks to get broadband at home. The longest, crabbiest non-pregnant weeks of my life! I used the libraries everyday. Even when the library was closed I sat outside with my laptop glomming onto their WiFi.
So life was hard – but at least I had my laptop. For those who didn’t they got exactly 1 hour online. You had to sign up in advance – at least in the afternoon. Often you could walk right in before noon – if they weren’t having classes. My brother in law apparently didn’t have a laptop; they were stuck with 1 hour shots of Internet access when they were here from Australia.
I think access here is much like it is at home. I’ve certainly seen the same from afar. The computers at our local library were almost always filled – certainly filled after school. If a kid wants to go online they need a parent to watch – and say you’re kind of watching and kind of doing your own work from your laptop, sometimes they chastise you. (That is true in Ireland and Minneapolis.)
Anyways the article goes on to talk about how the libraries are jammed. They need more money – but they don’t really offer a solution. It seems as if it’s getting tougher for the libraries to even maintain regular hours. But as libraries close patrons losing more and more – with the loss of the Internet access.
The libraries are often held up an a bridge closing the digital divide – but they can’t do a great job if they don’t have funding to stay open, get broadband, and have computers, staff, and space to provide access!
It occurred to be this morning that I should have including a link to Friends of the Library in this post. One way to support the libraries is to become a Friend:
http://www.folusa.org/
Our libraries are full! At least where we live in central California (and many I’ve visited elsewhere). The lines are long; especially during the after school hours when the kids need to use them for homework. My daughters regularly have friends from school over who don’t have (can’t afford) access so they can use our computer and DSL line. For those that own a laptop a good idea might be to have wireless access in the libraries but there probably wouldn’t be enough electrical outlets available, that isn’t available where we live. We need to make sure ALL kids have affordable high speed internet! The future of our country is at stake, we can’t afford to be left behind any longer.
Use the link on the CWA’s website to let Congress know how important this is-
http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/highspeedpolicy/?download=1301&upload=319
roger what region are u in
Roger,
I am with you 100 percent! Not having a computer/Internet access is a huge deficit for the students. Your comment got me thinking – does Internet access improve student achievement? I ran into a blog post by Andy Carvin on the topic (Does Home Internet Access Improve Academic Achievement?). Granted he clearly looks at home access as opposed to library access – but I think there are enough similarities.
Link to his blog: http://www.pbs.org/teachers/learning.now/2006/05/does_home_internet_access_impr_1.html
Carvin points to research that says Internet access does improve GPA. Now from the Blandin on Broadband perspective I think this should make us work all the harder to get ubiquitous *affordable* broadband for everyone.
For the sake of this post – I think it is much more reasonable for us to plan to make computers and the Internet accessible in places like the libraries than buy everyone a computer and access at home. But access means access – it mean having enough computer, being open enough hours, having staff to support the computers, and having space.
The last time I worked a reference desk (I used to be a librarian) at least half of the questions related to technology – which was OK for me, but less OK for some of the tech-savvy librarians. The libraries are more important today than ever – OK I don’t have research on that one – but I feel like it’s true.
imho i think that libraries should become the community based hotspots instead of a coffee shop ,with this happening then people can work within a area that may have firewalls and antivirus services available with the services.The only thing i have against a hotspot is thats a center usually for main hacker activity which is why i would suggest the library provide people with keys to be able to use the services and that way the users are also recorded incase of problems
Ann,
Thanks for a great post.
The stat from the ALA study – that 73% of libraries say they are the only source of free public access to computers and the Internet in their communities – surprised me a bit. I work at Community Technology Centers’ Network (CTCNet). We are a 15 year-old network of Community Technology Centers – our members generally offer public access as well as training. The CTC field has its roots in a public access mission, but has always been focused on other outcomes like literacy, job readiness, school performance, etc. I think we are seeing a shift to our membership being mostly program-based rather than focused primarily on public access, but both of those components are still core functions of CTCs.
I wonder if there is opportunity for CTCs to connect with libraries to help relieve the burden for those overwhelmed with computer users, or to collaborate and offer programs in conjunction with libraries. I wonder if CTCs and libraries couldn’t partner and seek funding for joint projects that would take advantage of library’s resources while providing referrals to the CTC for training programs that would benefit patrons but are out of the library’s scope or capacity.
At any rate, I suspect that a large portion of that 73% simply aren’t aware of other resources in the community – I think we and our members need better outreach!
Lastly, regarding your comment “I think it is much more reasonable for us to plan to make computers and the Internet accessible in places like the libraries than buy everyone a computer and access at home.”
There are a number of programs that offer both, including community training programs in which participants receive a free or low-cost computer upon graduation. Here is one example:
http://www.cityofboston.gov/bra/digitalbridge/programs.html
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Telecom/BSNL_to_invite_tenders_for_setting_up_50K_WiMax_kiosks/articleshow/2426978.cms
Stephen,
I think you’re right on a couple of accounts. I think 73 percent is high and that probably folks just aren’t aware of CTCs.
I also agree with you that libraries and CTCs should be working together more. I was an academic librarian – not public. There is a college in St Paul (Hamline University) that had a great program where reference librarians and tech support sat together at the reference desk. Both learned from each other and the patrons were better served.
Even when collocation doesn’t make sense – I think it’s great to get the organizations working together!
And thanks for the reminder on CTCs bringing computers into homes too. Many years ago I was on the board of the Twin Cities Freenet and I had completely forgotten that we did occasionally have computer for folks at home.
I loved reading about that tech program in Boston. Apparently they have distributed more than 1000 computers. That’s great!
Thanks! Ann
Jamie,
Your comment on libraries as a better doorway to the Internet because of the potential for tracking users reminded me of some of the info on libraries and the US Patriot Act. Here’s an article that I think is good (though possibly dated):
http://www.llrx.com/features/usapatriotact.htm
Many librarians don’t like to be in a position to share info on patrons (from patron records to Internet histories) but as the article points out with a court order the libraries have little choice.
Thanks! Ann
here is a site that has to do with the japan broadband services and how they are bidding for more mobility instead of fixed .
http://computerworld.com.my/ShowPage.aspx?pagetype=2&articleid=6594&pubid=4&issueid=123