American Library Association writes “Internet use at public libraries flourishes but technical, financial support lags
CHICAGO — Ever-growing patron demand for computer and Internet services
in U.S. public libraries has stretched existing Internet bandwidth, computer
availability, and building infrastructure to capacity, according to a new study “Libraries Connect Communities: Public Library Funding & Technology
Access Study 2006-2007,” [PDF] conducted by the American Library Association
(ALA) and the Information Use Management and Policy Institute at Florida
State University (FSU).
The study, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and ALA, found that
more than 73 percent of libraries report they are the only source of free
public access to computers and the Internet in their communities. Surveyed
libraries said that the top three Internet services most critical to their
community are online educational resources and databases for K-12 students
(67.7 percent); services for job seekers (44 percent); and computer and
Internet skills training (29.8 percent).
The Washoe County Library System’s Community Resource Center in Nevada
helped Stephanie D’Arcy, who hadn’t had full-time employment for several
months, successfully get a job with the local parks and recreation
department. “I needed guidance,” D’Arcy said. “The library staff offered me
encouragement and assistance filling out the application, including pointing
out transferable skills I could list, plus some tips for interviewing. If it were
not for the library’s help, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
A growing number of U.S. employers are recruiting online. Nearly three-
quarters (70 percent) of the top 100 U.S. retailers accept online applications
for hourly positions, up from 41 percent in 2004, and 16 percent only accept
online applications, according to a 2006 study from Taleo Research, which
analyzes best practices and economics of human resources management.
“Today, most businesses and organizations use the Internet as a primary
method of finding and interacting with job applicants,” said Alice Snell, vice
president of Taleo Research. “But I frequently hear from retailers concerned
that potential applicants may not be able to apply for jobs online because
they lack Internet access. One of the things I tell them is that all public
libraries offer free access to computers and online information.”
Libraries offer a range of support to job seekers including assistance
searching for jobs, technology training, writing résumés and cover letters,
filling out online job applications, and establishing e-mail accounts so they
can monitor the status of their applications.
“Today’s public libraries are thriving technology hubs that millions rely on for
their first or only choice for Internet access,” said ALA President Loriene
Roy. “I often hear from library staff that more and more users are turning to
the library for help with online employment applications. One thing is clear: in
order for our public libraries to continue to meet the changing needs of our
communities and to expand services, we must invest in facilities and staffing
that can support technology for all.”
Nearly 100 percent of public libraries offer free public access to the Internet.
However, despite increased patron demand for technology services, libraries
have not seen a corresponding increase in their budgets. As a result, many
libraries are challenged to provide enough computers or fast-enough
connection speeds to meet community need. In fact, more than 58 percent
of libraries reported that they have no plans to add computers in the coming
year; less than half (46 percent) plan to replace computers. Internet access
speeds are inadequate for a majority of libraries (52 percent).
Thousands of libraries across the country also have reached, or are nearing,
their maximum capacity for space. Seventy-six percent of public libraries
reported that space limitations are the top factor affecting their ability to add
computers, while 31 percent of libraries report that the availability of
electrical outlets, space for cabling and other infrastructure issues limited
their capacity for technology infrastructure.
“Millions of Americans rely on their public library to find jobs, further their
education, learn English, get e-government information, and more,” said Allan
Golston, president of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s U.S. Program. “Our
nation must continue to support public libraries and ensure they are able to
provide information and opportunities for all people.”
The Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study collected data through
surveys from more than 4,000 public libraries, more than 40 Chief Officers of
State Library Agencies, and focus groups and site visits in Delaware,
Maryland, Nevada and Utah. To view the final report, please visit
www.ala.org/plinternetfunding.
###
The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association
in the world, with more than 65,000 members. Its mission is to promote the
highest quality library and information services and public access to
information. www.ala.org
The Information Use Management and Policy Institute at Florida State
University conducts research that focuses on the information user, and the
interaction of the user with information products, services, policies,
technologies, and organizations. Of special interest is the planning and
evaluation of networked and other information services. The Institute also
conducts information policy research on current issues at Federal and state
levels related to public access, privacy, records management, and use of
information in electronic forms as well as other topics. www.ii.fsu.edu
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In
developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them
the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the
United States, it seeks to ensure that all people — especially those with the
fewest resources — have access to the opportunities they need to succeed
in school and life. Based in Seattle, the foundation is led by CEO Patty
Stonesifer and co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and
Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.”
American Library Association writes “Internet use at public libraries flourishes but technical, financial support lags
CHICAGO — Ever-growing patron demand for computer and Internet services
in U.S. public libraries has stretched existing Internet bandwidth, computer
availability, and building infrastructure to capacity, according to a new study “Libraries Connect Communities: Public Library Funding & Technology
Access Study 2006-2007,” [PDF] conducted by the American Library Association
(ALA) and the Information Use Management and Policy Institute at Florida
State University (FSU).
The study, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and ALA, found that
more than 73 percent of libraries report they are the only source of free
public access to computers and the Internet in their communities. Surveyed
libraries said that the top three Internet services most critical to their
community are online educational resources and databases for K-12 students
(67.7 percent); services for job seekers (44 percent); and computer and
Internet skills training (29.8 percent).
The Washoe County Library System’s Community Resource Center in Nevada
helped Stephanie D’Arcy, who hadn’t had full-time employment for several
months, successfully get a job with the local parks and recreation
department. “I needed guidance,” D’Arcy said. “The library staff offered me
encouragement and assistance filling out the application, including pointing
out transferable skills I could list, plus some tips for interviewing. If it were
not for the library’s help, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
A growing number of U.S. employers are recruiting online. Nearly three-
quarters (70 percent) of the top 100 U.S. retailers accept online applications
for hourly positions, up from 41 percent in 2004, and 16 percent only accept
online applications, according to a 2006 study from Taleo Research, which
analyzes best practices and economics of human resources management.
“Today, most businesses and organizations use the Internet as a primary
method of finding and interacting with job applicants,” said Alice Snell, vice
president of Taleo Research. “But I frequently hear from retailers concerned
that potential applicants may not be able to apply for jobs online because
they lack Internet access. One of the things I tell them is that all public
libraries offer free access to computers and online information.”
Libraries offer a range of support to job seekers including assistance
searching for jobs, technology training, writing résumés and cover letters,
filling out online job applications, and establishing e-mail accounts so they
can monitor the status of their applications.
“Today’s public libraries are thriving technology hubs that millions rely on for
their first or only choice for Internet access,” said ALA President Loriene
Roy. “I often hear from library staff that more and more users are turning to
the library for help with online employment applications. One thing is clear: in
order for our public libraries to continue to meet the changing needs of our
communities and to expand services, we must invest in facilities and staffing
that can support technology for all.”
Nearly 100 percent of public libraries offer free public access to the Internet.
However, despite increased patron demand for technology services, libraries
have not seen a corresponding increase in their budgets. As a result, many
libraries are challenged to provide enough computers or fast-enough
connection speeds to meet community need. In fact, more than 58 percent
of libraries reported that they have no plans to add computers in the coming
year; less than half (46 percent) plan to replace computers. Internet access
speeds are inadequate for a majority of libraries (52 percent).
Thousands of libraries across the country also have reached, or are nearing,
their maximum capacity for space. Seventy-six percent of public libraries
reported that space limitations are the top factor affecting their ability to add
computers, while 31 percent of libraries report that the availability of
electrical outlets, space for cabling and other infrastructure issues limited
their capacity for technology infrastructure.
“Millions of Americans rely on their public library to find jobs, further their
education, learn English, get e-government information, and more,” said Allan
Golston, president of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s U.S. Program. “Our
nation must continue to support public libraries and ensure they are able to
provide information and opportunities for all people.”
The Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study collected data through
surveys from more than 4,000 public libraries, more than 40 Chief Officers of
State Library Agencies, and focus groups and site visits in Delaware,
Maryland, Nevada and Utah. To view the final report, please visit
www.ala.org/plinternetfunding.
###
The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association
in the world, with more than 65,000 members. Its mission is to promote the
highest quality library and information services and public access to
information. www.ala.org
The Information Use Management and Policy Institute at Florida State
University conducts research that focuses on the information user, and the
interaction of the user with information products, services, policies,
technologies, and organizations. Of special interest is the planning and
evaluation of networked and other information services. The Institute also
conducts information policy research on current issues at Federal and state
levels related to public access, privacy, records management, and use of
information in electronic forms as well as other topics. www.ii.fsu.edu
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In
developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them
the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the
United States, it seeks to ensure that all people — especially those with the
fewest resources — have access to the opportunities they need to succeed
in school and life. Based in Seattle, the foundation is led by CEO Patty
Stonesifer and co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and
Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.”
FOSS
“Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In
developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them
the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty.”
An examination of computer connectivity for students at MIT shows a greater than 90% .nix based computers including: Linux, Solaris, and the BSDs. Stanford is at greater than 20%
(Princeton’s Review of Colleges, 2007). These colleges are known for ground breaking in web based classrooms and freedom of information.
How is that the librarians allow proprietary software, Microsoft etc. to be placed in front of patrons when .nix computers do the job very nicely? These platforms offer secure operating systems, full back office state of the art capability including web-serving, proxy-filtering and mail servies as well as full office productivity software.
If microsoft wants to help they can buy the computer hardware to run .nix. They can also promote platform interoperativity and open documentation standards on their own platform.
To date Microsoft has no intention to promote interoperativity and no intention to promote or abide by any documentation standards. They continue to hide common knowledge, promote inequity to access to digital information media and planned obsolescence in their product lines. (http://www.answers.com/topic/planned-obsolescence ?cat=biz-fin),/ 06/08/1854229)
(http://developers.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05
As it stands allow Bill and Melinda Gates to pull up a chair and provide $100,000 per seat per computer that is used in public and school libraries.