Category Archives: Library Computers

Public libraries and the Internet: A twenty-five year perspective

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When I proposed in 1993 to the then National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) a national survey of public library use and access to the Internet, there was some skepticism that public librarians and policy makers needed such a study – despite an earlier 5-6 years of work on libraries and the Internet we had done before 1993.  When the data from this first survey were released in 1994 there was considerable interest in its findings – especially data related to the percentage of public libraries (20.9% as reported in 1994) that provided public access to the Internet.

Since that first national survey, sponsorship changed a number of times to different units of the American Library Association, NCLIS, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  The national survey evolved into a much larger effort and became the Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study (PLFTAS) of which the most recent is the 2011-2012 Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study.

The purpose of this blog is NOT to make statistical comparisons related to public library use and access to the Internet between then and now.  But rather, it is to offer a couple of perspectives on public libraries and the Internet in terms of past and future themes.

Some perspectives from many years of being involved in the survey and the earlier development of Internet use and access by public librarians include:

• Public libraries may have been slow initially to connect to and use the Internet, but adopt they did.  And as they increased their use of the Internet and applications related to it, many innovative services and uses – shared catalogs and resources, interactive video, social media, etc. – have  been discovered and implemented which have revolutionized public library “services” and “access” to information. 

• This revolution, however, is a continuous tsunami that will require ongoing innovations as broadband, networking, digital services/resources, cloud computing, etc. continues to explode.  To some extent these developments appear to be much more challenging and possibly more expensive to implement than those in the early 1990s, when the objective as to simply “get connected” to the Internet.

• The extent to which public librarians have received adequate education in the broad areas of information technology deployment, management, and assessment continues to be problematic.  And the extent to which library staff regularly update their knowledge to stay abreast of information technology developments will only become more challenging. Better use of online education, webinars, etc. may help deal with this challenge.

• The degree to which public libraries can continue a balancing act between providing “traditional” library services and digital services is unclear.  As a result of the economic stress that began in 2008, the “new normal” of public library funding may require considerably different models in the provision of services and access to resources that are likely to be network-based.

• Public library apps (see August 8 blog post) and the use of social media to support public library services and access to digital information are only in their infancy.  As the population grows more familiar with apps and social media (and the demography is in the favor of much more user adoption and use in these areas), public libraries will need to exploit these applications and social media to support library services.  Such may be the next BIG challenge for public librarians… but there always will be the next challenge.

Many of the current public library service and information access/delivery issues are quite similar to those in the early 1990s and are likely to continue to be important in the future: literacy, funding, advocacy, etc.  But exploiting broadband and the digital environment for the benefit of public library users will be a critical success factor that simply cannot be ignored by any public library. 

Planning now, strategically, for exploiting information access/delivery/services with the various information technologies available now and in the future is a given … and one that cannot be ignored by public libraries.  Luck and serendipity will have little impact on whether libraries are able to exploit information technologies successfully in the future.  Vision, leadership, innovativeness, and planning are more likely the necessary ingredients to move public libraries into the next era of digital services and information access.

Dr. McClure is the President of Information Management Consultant Services, LLC, imcscrm@attglobal.net

2012 Study highlights provision of innovative technology despite budget cuts

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With the release of the 2011-2012 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study, libraries have access to current national and state data and supporting anecdotal evidence that can help library staff and trustees advocate for support for technology infrastructure and resources.

The new report highlights how strategic vision and careful management have helped U.S. public libraries weather the storm of the Great Recession, supporting their role as a lifeline to the technology resources and training essential to social inclusion and full participation in the nation’s economy. However, the report underscores the competing concerns that face America’s libraries: cumulative budget cuts which threaten access to libraries and services, increasing demand for technology training and the chronic presence of the digital divide.

 Key findings include:

  • 62% of public libraries report that they are the only source of free public access to computers and the Internet in their communities, with an increase to 70% in rural communities.
  • For FY2012, 57 percent of libraries report flat or decreased operating budgets, while at the same time, 60 percent of libraries report increased use of public Internet computers.
  • 76% of libraries offer access to e-books, an increase of 9% from last year.
  • 39% percent of libraries provide e-readers for check-out by patrons.
  • 91% of public libraries provide free Wi-Fi, and 74% of libraries report use of Wi-Fi increased in 2011
  • For the third year in a row, 40% of state libraries report decreased state funding for public libraries.
  • 65% of libraries report having an insufficient number of public computers to meet demand, this increases to 87% in urban libraries.

More key findings are outlined in the Executive Summary, the key findings handout, and this infographic:

 We hope you’ll take the time to look through the full report, which includes state-by-state analysis on public library technology resources, and an illuminating qualitative component from interviews with library directors and staff in Georgia and Idaho.

 Over the new few weeks we’ll highlight different sections of the report, as well as introduce you to the resources we’ve developed to help you use the PLFTAS data to advocate for your own library.

 Thank you to the staff at the 7,252 public libraries that completed this year’s survey. The time you took to provide the data in this report offers valuable information for national, state, and local policymakers, library advocates, researchers, practitioners, government and private funding organizations, and others to understand the impact, issues, and needs of libraries providing public access computing.

Libraries urged to participate in 2011-2012 PLFTAS survey

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Drum roll, please……the 2011-12 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study (PLFTAS) survey is now live and ready for your valuable input. Last year, the survey had a record-topping 86.5% response rate, with participation from over 8,400 urban, suburban, and rural libraries in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

We thank you for your participation in the past and hope that you will continue to participate in this important survey. The high response rate provides the greatest impact for advocacy efforts at the local, state, and national levels.

The PLFTAS is the largest and longest-running (since 1994) study of public library Internet connectivity. As technology has changed since the beginning of the study, so has the survey evolved to capture the most current snapshot of the technology resources brokered by our libraries and the funding that enables free public access to these resources.  With feedback from libraries and the PLFTAS Advisory Committee, this year’s survey has been updated and streamlined, most significantly in the funding section.

Why is your participation so important?  Data from the study will help your library identify the impacts of the your library’s public computer and Internet access on the community, and support efforts to inform and educate stakeholders – policymakers, foundations, elected officials, trustees, and the media – about the value of libraries and issues related to sustaining public library technology services. To help with messaging and advocacy, we’ve developed PR templates, issue briefs and state summaries that provide succinct messages for use on behalf of libraries.

In addition to the launch of the PLFTAS survey, what other monumental events have taken place on September 6 (per Wikipedia)? In 1492, Columbus left the Canary Islands for his first crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. In 1522, the only surviving ship of Magellan’s expedition returned to Spain, becoming the first ship to circumnavigate the world. And in 1995, Cal Ripken Jr. played in his 2,131st consecutive game, breaking a record that stood for 56 years. Let’s be like Cal and break another record with a 90% response rate for the 2011-2012 survey! Libraries need all the muscle they can gather to continue to circle the bases with their advocacy messages.

Welcome to the toll-free bridge over the digital divide

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It was good to read the announcement for the launch of the Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP) grant project at the Simla branch of the Elbert County (CO) Library District. The grant provides for a new mobile computer lab and accessible computer station. The mobile lab has been developed to provide training opportunities to improve job-related computer and Internet skills.

Thankfully, as the unemployment rate again inches up, another public library is able to expand its “safety net” to the community. In addition to the computers, the grant provides the basic technology training that, for many people, is their first introduction to using a computer.

As reported in the new 2010-2011 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study, 87.4 percent of Colorado libraries report providing technology training for the public. This matches the overall average for this year’s study. Here’s how it breaks out nationally by type of training:

PUBLIC LIBRARY OUTLETS OFFERING FORMAL OR INFORMAL TECHNOLOGY TRAINING AVAILABILITY, BY METROPOLITAN STATUS

Metropolitan Status
Training Availability

Urban

Suburban

Rural

Overall
Offers formal technology training classes

58.8%

46.6%

25.2%

38.0%
Offers one-on-one technology training sessions by appointment

29.2%

30.9%

25.9%

28.1%
Offers informal point-of-use assistance

79.4%

80.5%

77.3%

78.8%
Offers online training material

40.2%

34.9%

22.4%

29.5%
Does not offer any technology training

7.6%

10.7%

15.6%

12.7%

Nationally, libraries report that assistance for job-seekers continue to be the most in-demand technology service. In the recent study, over 89 percent of Colorado libraries report providing access to jobs databases and other job resources. Thanks to the BTOP grant, many more job-seeking residents will be able to benefit from library services and staff expertise.

The Colorado BTOP project, titled “Bridging Colorado’s Great Digital Divide,” involves public, school, and tribal libraries, and will benefit 76 communities. In addition to the BTOP stimulus funds, the grant is supported with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and matching funds from the Library District.

Kudos to the library for getting the Elbert County Farm Bureau Federation to donate ice cream sundaes for the upcoming project open house. Hope there are lots of moist towelettes close by!