ERIC Number: EJ886813
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Jul
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0740-624X
EISSN: N/A
Broadband for Public Libraries: Importance, Issues, and Research Needs
Mandel, Lauren H.; Bishop, Bradley Wade; McClure, Charles R.; Bertot, John Carlo; Jaeger, Paul T.
Government Information Quarterly, v27 n3 p280-291 Jul 2010
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 connectivity and equipment upgrades, and maintaining acceptable levels of services as they meet continually increasing internet-enabled service demands. This article: 1) analyzes the ability of public libraries to serve as a community-based public internet access point in the context of limited funding and access to telecommunications services and equipment; 2) discusses key policy issues that affect the provision of public library internet-enabled services through broadband; 3) provides recommendations for policy makers to include libraries as part of a larger national-level telecommunications policy; and 4) identifies a number of topics and issues that need further investigation and research in this shifting policy environment. (Contains 5 tables and 2 figures.)
Descriptors: Research Needs, Public Libraries, Telecommunications, Internet, Access to Information, Library Services, Community Information Services, Information Policy, Library Policy, Library Automation, Library Administration, Library Development, Community Needs
Elsevier. 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32887-4800. Tel: 877-839-7126; Tel: 407-345-4020; Fax: 407-363-1354; e-mail: usjcs@elsevier.com; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2131
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: Media Staff; Policymakers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A