DOCUMENT RESUME ED 446 780 IR 057 925 AUTHOR Bertot, John Carlo; McClure, Charles R. TITLE Public Libraries and the Internet 2000: Summary Findings and Data Tables. SPONS AGENCY National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, Washington, DC. PUB DATE 2000-00-00 NOTE 25p. PUB TYPE Tests/Questionnaires (160) Reports Research (143) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC01 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Access to Information; Disabilities; Information Technology; *Internet; Library Funding; *Library Services; Library Surveys; Longitudinal Studies; Poverty; *Public Libraries; Questionnaires; Rural Areas; Tables (Data); Training; Urban Areas; Users (Information) IDENTIFIERS Access to Technology; *Connectivity; Information Infrastructure ABSTRACT This study, sponsored by the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, sought to: (1) provide longitudinal data regarding the percentage of public libraries connected to the Internet; (2) provide longitudinal data regarding the percentage of public libraries that provide graphical public access Internet services; (3) provide longitudinal data regarding the speed of library public access Internet services; (4) explore the funding sources that support public library Internet connectivity and information technology infrastructure development; (5) explore the level of use of online database resources, blocking technologies, and special software/hardware for individuals with disabilities by public libraries that provide public Internet access service; (6) explore the extent and nature of library public access Internet acceptable use policies; and (7) explore the extent and nature of library Internet training services offered by libraries to various types of library users and staff. Data were collected by a survey mailed to a sample of 1,500 public library outlets in May 2000. This report summarizes key findings by metropolitan status and poverty level. Data tables and the survey form are appended. (MES) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND THE INTERNET 2000: SUMMARY FINDINGS AND DATA TABLES Submitted To: National Commission on Libraries and Information Science 1110 Vermont Avenue, NW, Suite 820 Washington, DC 20005 By: John Carlo Bertot <[email protected]> Associate Professor and Associate Director Information Use Management and Policy Institute School of Information Studies Louis Shores Building Florida State University Tallahassee, FL 32306-2100 (850) 644-6400 phone (850) 644-9763 fax Charles R. McClure <[email protected]> Francis Eppes Professor and Director Information Use Management and Policy Institute School of Information Studies Louis Shores Building Florida State University Tallahassee, FL 32306-2100 (850) 644-8109 phone (850) 644-9763 fax September 7, 2000 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Ps4 Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND CENTER (ERIC) DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS '51 This document has been reproduced BEEN GRANTED BY as received from the person or organization BEST COPY AVAILABLE originating it. ._R .MGClu re Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES document do not necessarily represent 2 INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) official OERI position or policy. Public Libraries and the Internet 2000: Outlet Connectivity Final Tables INTRODUCTION The U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLSI) commissioned a Public Libraries and the Internet study for the year This study both updated previous NCLIS-sponsored studies (1994, 2000. 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998)' and explored new territory regarding public library involvement with and use of the Internet. In particular, the 2000 Public Libraries and the Internet study sought to (see Appendix B for a copy of the survey form): Provide longitudinal data regarding the percentage of public libraries connected to the Internet; Provide longitudinal data regarding the percentage of public libraries that provide graphical public access Internet services; Provide longitudinal data regarding the speed of library public access Internet services; Explore the funding sources that support public library Internet connectivity and information technology infrastructure development; Explore the level of use of online database resources, blocking technologies, and special software/hardware for individuals with disabilities by public libraries that provide public Internet access services; Explore the extent and nature of library public access Internet acceptable use policies; and, Explore the extent and nature of library Internet training services offered by libraries to various types of library users and staff. These areas formed the basis for the survey form developed by the consultants in conjunction with NCLIS staff. STUDY APPROACH AND METHOD The 2000 study updated and re-geocoded all public library outlets using the 1997 public library dataset produced by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) through the Federal-State Cooperative System The 1997 file was the most current release available to the (FSCS). Using geographic information system-based techniques, a consultants. research team at Florida State University was able to successfully geocode 16,004 public library outlets in terms of their poverty (defined as less than 20%, 20%-40%, and greater than 40%) and metropolitan status (urban, suburban, and rural) using the same techniques as for the 1998 Public Library Internet study.2 From the 16,004 geocoded outlets,3 the consultants September 7. 2000 Bertot & McClure 1 Public Libraries and the Internet 2000: Outlet Connectivity Final Tables drew a sample of 1,500 outlets in proportion to their percentages in the poverty and metropolitan status categories. The consultants developed and pre-tested a number of survey questions for inclusion on the 2000 survey form. These pre-test methods included: survey with state data Distributing and discussing the draft coordinators at the FSCS professional development conference in March 2000; A focus group during the Public Library Association meeting in March 2000 with approximately 15 public librarians, state librarians, state data coordinators, and others knowledgeable in the area of public library Internet activities; and, Distributing draft copies of the survey to library school faculty and public librarians. Based on the comments provided by the various survey reviewers, the consultants and NCLIS staff developed a final version of the survey for distribution to the sample of 1,500 public library outlets. The consultants mailed the surveys to the 1,500 outlets in May 2000.4 At the same time, the consultants distributed the sample list to the state data coordinators to apprise them of the library outlets sampled in their states. The consultants and NCLIS staff attempted to correct surveys returned due to incorrect addresses. When it was not possible to correct the address, or the library outlet closed, the consultants selected a replacement outlet in the occurred same poverty and metropolitan status category. Survey collection The state data through June 2000, with a final response rate of 73.9%. coordinators provided tremendous support to the data collection effort, assisting the consultants and NCLIS staff achieve such a high response rate in a month's time. READING THE FIGURES The consultants used a weighted analysis approach to analyze the data As such, the analysis uses the actual and generate national estimates. completed survey was responses from the 1,108 library outlets from which a received to estimate to all [geocoded] outlets. For example, Hawkins Memorial Library in La Porte City, Iowa, is coded Hawkins Memorial as a suburban library outlet with less than 20% poverty. Library's responses (and all others designated suburban with less than 20% poverty) are weighted by 14.251 to generate an estimate for all suburban outlets with less than 20% poverty.5 September 7, 2000 Bertot & McClure 2 Public Libraries and the Internet 2000: Outlet Connectivity Final Tables Figures 3 through 13 present the weighted study findings. Thus, the data presented in the figures represent the national estimates of connectivity, public access, and other presented analysis. Readers should note that, due to the type of analysis and weight generation process, rounding occurs in the weights used, number of estimated outlets for a particular response, percentages/averages generated, and confidence intervals. KEY SURVEY FINDINGS Public libraries continue to connect to the Internet, enhance their connectivity, and provide a variety of public access Internet services. The sections below describe public library outlet Internet connectivity as of June 2000 and, where possible, identifies significant changes from the 1998 Public The figures referenced in the Libraries and the Internet study findings. following sections are in Appendix A of this report. Connectivity and Public Access have an Internet connection Nearly all public library outlets 95.7% This is an increase from 83.6% in 1998. The most notable (see Figure 3). increases in connectivity occurred in suburban and rural library outlets. Suburban library connectivity increased from 88.1% in 1998 to 98.5% in 2000, and rural library connectivity increased from 78.4% in 1998 to 93.3% in 2000. Most library outlets also provide public access to the Internet, with 94.5% This is up substantially from the 73.3% of library doing so (see Figure 4). outlets that provided public access to the Internet in 1998. Significant increases in public access services occurred across all types of outlets by poverty and metropolitan status. Of particular interest is that all outlets in the poverty designations moved from the 72.8% to 79.5% range of public access service provision in 1998 to the 93.5% to 95.8% range in 2000. The 1998 Public Libraries and the Internet study asked libraries if they expected to be connected to the Internet for public and staff access by June Overall, 47.6% of libraries responding that they were not currently 1999. connected expected to be by June 1999. Clearly, the overall increase in public library connectivity by more than 21% is a result of libraries being successful with Internet connectivity plans. Of the outlets that provide public access Internet services, there is an average of 8.3 workstations per outlet (see Figure 5). Not surprisingly, rural libraries have fewer workstations (4.9) as compared to urban libraries (17.3). Since 1998, however, library outlets have nearly doubled the number of September 7, 2000 Bertot & McClure 3 Public Libraries and the Internet 2000: Outlet Connectivity Final Tables public access workstations available to the public (see Figure 6). For example: 25% of public library outlets now have two (2) or fewer workstations as compared to one (1) workstation in 1998; 50% of public library outlets now have four (4) or fewer workstations as compared to three (3) in 1998; and, 75% of public library outlets now have eight (8) or fewer workstations as compared to four (4) or fewer in 1998. Thus, public library outlets are providing more public access workstations to the populations that they serve. Speed of connectivity for public access Internet services also increased since 1998. Of particular interest is that: 36.2% of outlets now have T1 (1.45mbps) service as their maximum speed of connectivity for public access services, as compared to 21.9% in 1998; 53.6% of outlets have greater than 56kbps (direct connect) service as their maximum speed of connectivity for public access services, as compared to 33.7% in 1998; and 35.4% of rural outlets have greater than 56kbps (direct connect) service as their maximum speed of connectivity for public access services, as compared to 22.2% in 1998. The data demonstrate an overall increase in speeds of connectivity and a It is valuable to recognize that even shift away from dialup connections. rural libraries and those with poverty levels greater than 40% are able to provide T1 access. The data show an increase of 10.1% for rural libraries, an increase of 7.6% for libraries with more than 40% poverty, and an overall increase of connectivity at T1 speeds by 14.3%. As such, public libraries continue to augment the bandwidth available for their public access services. Funding Connectivity and Information Technology Infrastructure Public libraries combine a variety of funding sources to support their Internet services and information technology infrastructure (see Figure 8): 87.7% make use of operating funds from local governments and/or tax districts; 48.9% make use of Education-rate (E-rate) discounts; and, 23.6% to 31.4% make use of state library grants, state grants, gifts, and special grants (e.g., Gates Library Initiative). September 7, 2000 Bertot & McClure 4 Public Libraries and the Internet 2000: Outlet Connectivity Final Tables Of particular interest is that 62.1% and 69.6%, respectively, of library outlets with 20-40% poverty and more than 40% poverty designations make services. use of the E-rate discount to support their Internet connectivity Internet Services Provision and Implementation The survey form queried public libraries as to their provision and implementation of public access online databases, disability, and training services. The study found that: 60.4% of public library outlets offer access to online database subscription services on all of their workstations (see Figure 9); 36.1% of public library outlets offer remote access to their online database services (see Figure 9); 71.2% of public library outlets do not provide special hardware/ software on their public access workstations for individuals with disabilities (see Figure 10); 75.5% of public library outlets do not block and/or filter Internet content on their public access workstations (see Figure 11); 95.5% of public library outlets have acceptable use policies for their public access Internet services, and 43.6% differentiate between users (e.g., children, adults) in their policies (see Figure 12); and, 62.3% of public library outlets offer Internet training services, of which 55.1% that provide training to the adult public, 44.3% to library staff, and 43.7% to children/youth public (see Figure 13). In general, therefore, public library outlets offer online database services, do not filter and/or block Internet content, do not provide special hardware/ use the Internet, have individuals with disabilities to software for acceptable use policies in place, and offer the public Internet training services. NOTES AND REFERENCES See McClure, C. R., Bertot, J. C., and Zweizig, D. L. (1994). Public 1. libraries and the Internet: Study results, policy issues, and recommendations. Washington, D.C.: National Commission on Libraries and Information Internet Science; McClure, C.R., Bertot, J.C., and Beachboard, J.C. (1995). costs and cost models for public libraries. Washington, D.C.: National Commission on Libraries and Information Science; Bertot, J. C., McClure, C. The 1996 national survey of public libraries R., and Zweizig, D. L. (1996). September 7, 2000 Bertot & McClure 5 7 Public Libraries and the Internet 2000: Outlet Connectivity Final Tables and the National Progress and issues. Washington, Internet: D.C.: Commission on Libraries and Information Science; Bertot, J. C., McClure, C. The 1997 national survey of U.S. public R., and Fletcher, P. D. (1997). libraries and the Internet: Final report. Washington, D.C.: American Library National Information Technology U.S. Policy; for Association, Office Commission on Libraries and Information Science. (1998). Moving toward more effective public Internet access: The 1998 national survey of public library outlet Internet connectivity. Washington, D.C.: National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. 2. For a detailed discussion of the geocoding process, ee Appendix C of U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. (1998). Moving toward more effective public Internet access: The 1998 national survey of outlet Internet connectivity. Washington, D.C.: National public library Commission on Libraries and Information Science. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there were 3. 16,925 public library outlets in 1997. Of those, many have P.O. boxes for mailing addresses and several are bookmobiles. It is not possible to geocode bookmobiles nor some service outlets with P.O. boxes as these are not fixed With the techniques available in April 2000, it was possible to locations. geocode 16,004 of the 16,925 outlets. CITE NCES. 4. Respondents also had the option of completing the survey form online via a web-based survey. 5. By multiplying the weight of 14.251 by the total number of respondents in see Figure 2), the suburban with less than 20% poverty outlets (14.251x311 one should get the total number of outlets for that cell in Figure 1 (4,332). September 7, 2000 Bertot & McClure 6 Public Libraries and the Internet 2000: Outlet Connectivity Final Tables APPENDIX A SUMMARY FIGURES OF SURVEY FINDINGS September 7, 2000 Bertot & McClure 7 9 Public Libraries and the Internet 2000: Outlet Connectivity Final Tables Figure 1. Public Library Outlets by Metropolitan Status and Poverty. Poverty Overall More than 40% Less than 20% 20%-40% Metropolitan Status 5.7% 17.1% 1.4% 10.1% Urban (n=223) (n=2,742) (n=1,614) (n=905) 29.8% 0.1% 2.0% 27.7% Suburban (n=4,764) (n=16) (n=4,432) (n=316) 53.1% 0.5% 10.1% 42.5% Rural (n=8,498) (n=86) (n=1,611) (n=6,801) 2.0% 100.0%* 17.7% 80.3% Overall (n=16,004) (n=325) (n=2,832) (n=12,847) 1 Based on geocoding of 16,004 outlets. August 30, 2000 Bertot & McClure 8 10