As part of the Division of Libraries’ work with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, all of Delaware’s public libraries participated last year in a survey which measured the impact of access to public computing services in public libraries. From March to June 2009 400 public libraries across the United States participated in a web survey hosted on library homepages and related websites- in Delaware, more than 400 respondents answered questions about how they used free public computing services for civic engagement, economic opportunity, access to health information, and social inclusion.
The map above shows the concentration of responses across the state, and you can read the full report for Delaware at this link or in the embedded version below the fold. In brief, however, the results of the survey make a strong case in support of the value of public access computing in our public libraries- respondents found these services to be invaluable in many different aspects of their lives from finding employment, accessing egovernment services, seeking out reliable health information, and participating in civic and social relationships.
Notable findings of the report include:
- For almost 90% of respondents, the library was not the only place they had access to the internet. However, the convenience and high-speed service available in libraries made them an attractive place to work.
- Almost one third of respondents used library internet access to connect with “essential eGovernment services” such as filing tax returns, applying for benefits, or finding forms or information about programs and services
- Almost half of the respondents used library internet access to look for, or apply for a job.
- 75% of respondents were either satisfied or very satisfied with their library’s internet and technology services. About the same amount felt that these services were important to them personally- and 90% felt that they are important to their community.
Delaware IMPACT study: public access computers in libraries
I think this is great! Not from DE but its very similar down here.
Very useful study…
yemek tarifleri
Some of my best memories are of my grandmother taking us down to the library on the public bus.
We would spend hours there, I couldn’t imagine a library with out internet access in this day and age.
Thank you
Tammy Rector
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Likewise, a library without internet access in 2010 is a library that got left behind.
The library is a fantastic source of information for everyone in the community regardless of the subject matter.
All libraries need internet access to keep up with the rest of the world.
Library is the best way to increase your knowledge as they provide you with the latest books.
Library is the best source of information to increase the knowledge for everyone.Nice post provides us knowledge about many books.
I think this is great!
OMG
library needs to be developed
It is indeed high time for public access computing in our public libraries. In this age of digital technology, it won’t be too much of an expectation that interested & instant information is available to the public without the constraints of time & space. Hence, it only makes sense that libraries are empowered through digitalization of their content.
good article
I like it
Good Article Very informative.
means a lot
Yes, a library must have an internet access, not just books. Nowadays, people don’t just use books to study, but also use the internet, and with the conducive environment of the library, it is ideal to study or do some research over there
Cheers!
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Libraries need to have internet access! It is very vital and many students without Internet access at home need to use it.
What a good good article!
The library is a fantastic source of information for everyone in the community regardless of the subject matter.
Nowadays, people don’t just use books to study, but also use the internet, and with the conducive environment of the library, it is ideal to study or do some research over there.
The library is a fantastic source of information for everyone in the community regardless of the subject matter.
All libraries need internet access to keep up with the rest of the world.
The library in our school has high-speed internet access and I think it is an absolute must…all libraries should be online today…it keeps everyone connected.
High-speed internet is a must in all libraries …. sure printed matter is the basis of all libraries …. that’s where they all started ….. hey! this is 2011 … let’s go forward and not get left behind the pack.
Just imagine if general business decided to operate without high-speed internet … it would be ludicrous.