This 1996 National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) survey gathered data from a national sample of public libraries concerning the current level of public library involvement with the Internet. The purpose of this study was to: (1) provide policymakers, researchers, and library professionals with longitudinal data that measured changes in public library Internet involvement since the first survey in 1994; (2) identify costs for public library Internet services; and (3) identify issues and inform the policy debate concerning public library roles in the electronic networked environment. This final report is divided into three sections: Introduction; Study Results; and Progress and Issues. The introduction discusses the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and the Library Services and Construction Act/Library Services and Technology Act; intellectual property and the National Information Infrastructure; and an electronic federal depository library program. The second section discusses study methodology; public library demographics; accessing the Internet; the current state of public library Internet connectivity; Internet uses and public access services; and benefits to connecting to the Internet. The third section focuses on disparities; connectivity versus services; the goal of universal service; quality of network services; the life cycle of public library Internet development; and preparation for the next survey. Appendices include the survey instrument, survey alert, and cover letter, and information about the authors. (Contains 27 references, and 45 figures that present survey data.) (Author/AEF)

This publication reports on research conducted to follow up on a 1997 survey of public libraries and the Internet, co-sponsored by the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science and the American Library Association. The 1998 survey is based on a sample of 2,500 of the nation's 15,718 public library outlets. The survey found that 73.3% of public library outlets now offer public access to the Internet. However, only 68.6% offer graphical public Internet access to the World Wide Web (WWW) and only 45.3% offer graphical public access to the WWW at speeds of 56 kbps or greater. The first section contains background information: the Telecommunications Act of 1996; public policy debate; information technology, Internet and the digital economy; and public libraries as a public point of Internet presence. The second section presents the results of the 1998 survey: availability of public Internet access; public Internet access for areas with varying levels of poverty; public Internet access for urban, suburban, and rural areas; graphical public Internet access; bandwidth as a component of public Internet access; defining effective public Internet access; key measures connectivity and public Internet access, 1996-1998; number of graphical workstations as a component of effective access; use of filtering software and availability of an acceptable use policy for public Internet access. The third section discusses findings, policy issues, and commission responses: supporting ongoing surveys on public libraries and the Internet; initiating a dialog on effective public Internet access; and identifying policy questions and promoting additional research. The last section is a bibliography of 8 statistical studies funded by the commission. Five appendices contain: summary results; the survey instrument; the survey methodology; the survey results; and the contractor's analysis of the survey results. Includes 56 tables of figures.(DLS)

Library Technology Reports August/September 2011 vol. 47 / no.6 This issue of Library Technology Reports, conceived and coordinated by the American Library Association's (ALA) Office for Research and Statistics, focuses on the evolution and current state of public-access technologies in public libraries from the infrastructure, services, and resources perspectives. This issue brings together longitudinal data, key issues, trends, and best practices that will provide library staff with tools for planning, advocacy, and service enhancements. A number of prominent library professionals contributed their expertise to this issue. Authors and topics include John carlo Bertot, Paul T. Jaeger, Emily E. Wahl, and Kathryn I. Sigler on Public Libraries and the Internet: An Evolutionary Perspective; Nicole D. Alemanne, Lauren H. Mandel, and Charles R. McClure on The Rural Public Library as Leader in Community Broadband Services; Robert A. Caluori, Jr. on Successfully Planning a Scalable and Effective Patron Wireless Network; Nancy Fredericks on E-Government and Employment Support Services; Larra Clark and Marijke Visser on Digital Literacy; and Stephanie Gerding on Transforming Public Library Patron Technology Training.

This book is a timely and detailed exploration of the impact and issues of the Internet in public libraries and their implications for society, policy, and professional practice. Public Libraries and the Internet: Roles, Perspectives, and Implications explores the impact of the Internet and the expansion of the networked environment on U.S. public libraries through more than a dozen essays written by leading scholars and administrators. Notwithstanding the far-reaching changes wrought by the Internet, this is the first attempt to provide a comprehensive exploration of the subject over time and across areas of practice. This wide-ranging volume, edited by the authors of several national studies tracking the use and involvement of public libraries with the Internet since 1994, offers both description and assessment. It discusses the ways in which the roles and services of public libraries have changed as a result of the Internet and offers a perspective on the meaning and impact of these changes. Perhaps most critically, it also suggests possible futures and opportunities as public libraries continue to evolve in this networked environment.

Pulls together research results from Scandinavian public library researchers on current public library issues, including how public libraries are facing and dealing with the various professional challenges of modern society. Contributors tackle topics as wide ranging as the challenges of serving a multi-cultural society, new library media and services, internet services and new trends in library management. This collection of articles also includes library history works focusing on the relationship between public library ideas and practices in the USA and the Scandinavian countries.

Provides a historical overview of the accomplishments of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Sciences. Summarizes the results of a survey of opinion leaders in the fields of library and information science, who offered their advice on the most important issues that should be addressed in the next twelve to eighteen months.(published in year 2009). Related products: Education & LIbraries resources collection can be found here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/education-libraries