Libraries Connect Communities: Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study 2007-2008 (ALA Research) - Softcover

ALA Office For Research And Statistics

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0838984878 ISBN 13: 9780838984871

Publisher: American Library Association, 2008

Synopsis

The Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study 2007-2008 assessed public access to computers, the Internet, and Internet-related services in US public libraries, and researched the impact of library funding changes on connectivity, technology deployment, and sustainability. This report contains findings of the study and provides information that can help library directors and IT staff advocate for technology resources, training, infrastructure, and funding in their libraries. The data also are of interest to policymakers at local, state, and federal levels, manufacturers of information and communication technologies, and the communities served by public libraries. The report provides data from surveys of thousands of rural, suburban, and urban libraries in every state, plus information provided by state library agencies, and feedback from focus groups and site visits in New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Additional state data tables are provided online. Appendices provide the surveys and focus group scripts used in the study. Davis is director of the ALA Office for Research and Statistics, and overall project coordinator for the Public Library Funding and Technology Access study. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

About this title

Synopsis

This study offers the most current and comprehensive look at technology access and funding in U.S. public libraries available. "Libraries Connect Communities: Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study 2007-2008" assesses public access to computers, the Internet and Internet-related services in U.S. public libraries, and the impact of library funding changes on connectivity, technology deployment and sustainability. The study builds on the longest-running and largest study of Internet connectivity in public libraries begun in 1994 by John Carlo Bertot and Charles R. McClure. This comprehensive report provides information that can help library directors and library IT staff benchmark and advocate for technology resources in communities across the nation.The data also are of importance for policymakers at local, state and federal levels, manufacturers of information and communication technologies, and the communities served by public libraries.

The study provides data from thousands of rural, suburban and urban libraries in every state; information provided by state library agencies; and, feedback from focus groups and site visits in New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Additional state data tables are provided online at Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study and Public Libraries & the Internet. The study is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the American Library Association.

About the Author

Denise Davis is the director of the Office for Research & Statistics at the American Library Association. In this position, she provides leadership and expert advice to ALA staff members and the public on all matters related to research and statistics about libraries and librarians; represents the Association to federal agencies on these issues; and initiates projects needed to expand the knowledge base of the field through research and the collection of useful statistics. Previously, Davis worked in academic, special, and public libraries; in administration at the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science; and Oregon State Library.

Edition details

• Publisher: American Library Association
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0838984878
• ISBN 13: 9780838984871
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 212