Comments for Libraries Connect Communities

Comment on 2012 Study highlights provision of innovative technology despite budget cuts by Jacob

Jacob — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 10:42:30 +0000

This study is a great resource, and has been for several years. Thanks to ALA and the Information Policy & Access Center at U. Maryland for conducting the study, and for the data. These are very useful to us for when we advocate for public libraries at the local, state, and national levels (leg day). The infographics are great new additions to the study’s resources.

We also make extensive use of the U. Maryland resources – state pages, issue briefs, and more that are available at http://www.plinternetsurvey.org. We used them during our state legislative session for state aid discussions as well as local budget debates. Very helpful.

Between what ALA and Maryland provide, there are a number of great resources for us to use — thanks!

Comment on Training and education for e-government services in libraries by Danny Hales

Danny Hales — Fri, 11 May 2012 01:00:03 +0000

Well done…would be nice if we could get someone to listen, although retired now, I’m still involve in State and National rural issues. The potential loss of training for my old library with over 60 paraprofessionals trying to delivery services to three rural counties, and who desperately need training supplied by our consortium make me very sad….that the general public who rely on those staff, will be so less well served.

Comment on Broadband readiness by Traci Avet

Traci Avet — Sat, 05 May 2012 17:16:55 +0000

Given the relatively-new LSSI-Osceola County relationship, I’d be interested in hearing LSSI’s perspective on the value of bridging the divide and the steps to take them in their desired direction. Certainly, those of us embracing the severity of access equality have a difficult time not seeing the benefits of ensuring that equality. As increased usage means increased stats, there’s an opportunity to quantify benefit above & beyond the idea that it’s just the ethical thing to strive towards. The perspective of a for-profit company on perceived value would be interesting to read.

Comment on E-government services from public libraries by E-government services from public libraries | WyomingLibraries.org

E-government services from public libraries | WyomingLibraries.org — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:03:19 +0000

[...] content Posted on February 22, 2012 by Charles R. McClure at Libraries Connect [...]

Comment on The broadband challenge for rural public libraries by Norm Parry

Norm Parry — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:27:43 +0000

Are there programs or initiatives that allow public libraries to offer wi-fi access to entire communities? If we could do that, or participate securing access for our rural communities, we would be leveraging our future growth with essential services.

Comment on The broadband challenge for rural public libraries by Beverly Choltco-Devlin

Beverly Choltco-Devlin — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:18:28 +0000

I am posting the following for one of our community members who chooses to remain anonymous:

“This is an issue very close to me as where we live, we do not have access to cable services. We are still on an antennae system for our television, although some of our neighbors have switched to the dish.

With my upcoming retirement in September, we are beginning to look at the possibilites for accessing the internet in our home. This has not even been a consideration up to this point, as nothing we have heard about meets the speed of the internet that is provided by our local public library.

Our children’s smart phones allow them access to the internet when they visit, but we cannot even always use our trac phones successfully inside our home. And we hesitate to purchase such an expensive device just for the privilege of having internet access.”

Comment on Powerful South Dakota advocacy that’s easy on the eye by Marguerite Cullum

Marguerite Cullum — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:54:44 +0000

This is one of the most powerful information tools that can be shared throughout the state. The facts stay consistent and are from a credible source that local funding agents respect. Supplying the information for all librarians gives confidence and an avenue for marketability. Not all small-town librarians have the time or resources to compile the in-depth data that this document contains. Good job South Dakota State Library for being a leader!

Comment on Tips from the field: Maximize broadband impact and minimize costs by Maximize broadband, minimize costs:Libraries Connect Communities Blog Interview » Ask a Librarian Blog

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:47:49 +0000

[...] Library System in this Libraries Connect Communities ALA Blog interview.Read the blog post here.So, what do YOU think?Be sure to leave a comment and tell other library staff what tips [...]

Comment on Tips from the field: Maximize broadband impact and minimize costs by Sherry Millington

Sherry Millington — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:38:10 +0000

As a follow-up to my suggestion to regularly check with your service providers for increased available bandwidth and better pricing:
This week I increased all our DSL connections from 6M/768K to 12M/768K for $5.00 more per line per month!

Comment on Public libraries, the digitally disadvantaged, and the “Connect to Compete” program by Sharon Strover

Sharon Strover — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:52:13 +0000

Connect to Compete sounds good, but it is difficult to assess how well it will do on the basis of promises. It seems to have a nice list of “partners” or sponsors, but effective training in rural areas is best done on the ground in local facilities, and it certainly helps if the trainers are locally known and trusted. We need to focus on building local *institutions* – people with roots in local sites, committed to goals that are meaningful to the nearby populations, cognizant of local needs. Our research at the University of Texas has found rural libraries to be terrific advocates of and trainers for digital learning of all sorts…I hope their role is leveraged by new federal efforts.