The 1996 National Survey of Public Libraries and the Internet
The 1996 National Survey of Public Libraries and the Internet:
Progress and Issues: Final Report
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 and the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service
Library Services and Construction Act/Library Services and Technology Act
Intellectual Property and the NII
An Electronic Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP)
STUDY RESULTS
Methodology
Survey Instrument Development
Survey Procedures
Sampling and Data Analysis Procedures
Longitudinal Comparisons
Quality of Data
Some Public Library Demographics
Accessing the Internet
Factors Affecting Public Library Involvement with the Internet
Public Library Motivation for Interest in the Internet
The Current State of Public Library Internet Connectivity
Percentage of Public Libraries Connected to the Internet and Population Served
Type of Network Connection and Connection Provider
Public Library Information Technology (IT) Costs, Internet Service Costs, and Future
-- Library Connection Resource Allocation
Internet Public Library Uses and Public Access Services
Weekly Public Library Uses of the Internet
Public Library Provision of Public Access Internet Services
Public Library Remote Dial-In Internet Services
Public Library World-Wide Web and Gopher Servers
Identified Public Library Benefits to Connecting to the Internet
PROGRESS AND ISSUES
Disparities Remain
Connectivity Versus Services
The Goal of Universal Service
Quality of Network Services
Life Cycle of Public Library Internet Development
Preparing for the Next Survey
REFERENCES
Appendix A: Survey Instrument
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Appendix B: Survey Alert
Appendix C: Survey Cover Letter
About the Authors
