U.S. public libraries provide free public internet services to the communities that they serve, but require robust, high-speed broadband internet connections to continue meeting public demands. The 2008-2009 "Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study" ("PLFTAS") illustrates challenges that public libraries encounter in achieving broadband…

The provision of public Internet access and related networked services by public libraries is affected by a number of information policy issues. This article analyzes the policy dimensions of Internet connectivity in public libraries in light of the data and findings from a national survey of public libraries conducted by the authors of this…

Explores several methods through which to evaluate statewide electronic networks, and discusses key issues and preliminary findings that affect the successful evaluation of statewide networked services. (Author/AEF)

Asserts that the federal government should adopt a centralized governmental structure for the privacy protection of personal information and data. Discusses the roles of federal law, federal agencies, and the judiciary; the concept of information privacy; the impact of current technologies; and models of centralized government structures for…

The purpose of this study was to develop performance measures that will assist federal agencies to assess the quality and usefulness of their World Wide Web sites and to improve public information access service of those Web sites. The study was sponsored jointly by three federal agencies: the Defense Technical Information Center, the Energy…

Examines information technology (IT) policies and the roles played by federal agencies in developing and implementing IT management policies. Illustrates how selected policy prescriptions can prove to be problematic and offers recommendations on how to improve federal IT management. Contains 62 references. (AEF)

Demonstrates the use of a descriptive assessment of an information policy initiative using the Government Information Locator Service (GILS) as an example. Techniques discussed include historical perspective, review of the key policy instrument, descriptive modeling, side-by-side analysis, review of related policy instruments, literature review,…

Provides an overview of information policy, including its importance, its key instruments, and its complexity. Information policy issues that may create new roles for libraries include the ramifications of the public's right to information, the organization and retrieval of electronically networked information, information literacy training,…

The Department of Education's Web site (http://www.ed.gov) is a rich information and service resource that is widely used both within the Department of Education and by a variety of users external to the Department. It provides extensive information about the Department and its programs and services, enables users to interact efficiently with some…

Provides an overview of a session that planned to discuss selected information policy issues that affect the management of and access to Federal Websites, including agencies' development and use of Web-based services; needs for improvement; implementation issues; and issues that affect the delivery of Web-based services to the public. Panelists…

This report represents the views and perceptions of participants at a December 1994 Strategic Information Resources Management (SIRM) seminar, held in the District of Columbia, entitled "Building and Managing Government Internet Services." The group was comprised of 67 government officials and contractors who either had or were about to…

Considers selected policy instruments related to federal agencies' deployment of information in a Web environment in terms of five key policy areas: access, security, privacy, intellectual property, and records management. Suggests that there are a significant number of policy instruments affecting federal Web site development. Identifies the need…

The purpose of this study was to obtain descriptive information about the nation's public library connectivity, use, and costs related to the Internet. The study gathered data from a national sample of public libraries from the period between May and July 1997. Unlike the 1994 and 1996 students, the 1997 study drew a new library sample that…

The purpose of the conference was to review the current legal issues, policies, and practices in Federal ERM electronic records; learn specific strategies and solutions for managing electronic records on Web sites; exchange ideas and share information for Web site ERM; and contribute to the development of ERM policies and guidelines for the…

Describes a project that assessed the impact of connecting rural public libraries to the Internet and the effect on librarians, local communities, and the larger Internet community. The evaluation approach, factors critical to project success, conclusions about public libraries and the Internet, and comments on the future of networked public…