Bridging the Digital Divide : The Impact of Public Libraries on Computer Access and Internet Use

1. Bridging the Digital Divide:The Impact of Public Libraries on Computer Access and Internet Use Mee-Aeng Ko University of Missouri-Columbia

2. I. Need for the Study on the Impact of Public Libraries and the Digital Divide • Public libraries as a “rescuer” for have-nots who experience the impact of digital divides on their welfare • The roles and efforts of public libraries to close the digital gap are still largely unknown. • Result from this study can assist public libraries in determining and managing their public access computing services to bridging the digital divide in its community.

3. II. Phase I of the Research : Survey of Library Patrons • Development of the Survey: A survey was developed to gather the following information. • Patron’s use of computers and the Internet in the public library • The viewpoints about the access to computers and the Internet in their lives • Suggestions for improvement for public computing

4. II. Phase I of the Research : Survey of Library Patrons (Cont.) • Method • The survey was distributed near every computer in the library. • Responses were anonymous and collected in a sealed box. • During a one-month period, 70 reputable surveys were completed by library patrons aged 13 to 64.

5. II. Phase I of the Research : Survey of Library Patrons (Cont.) • Findings • The library patrons’ uses of the computers/ the Internet • Activities on the Internet • The primary barrier cited for using library computers

6. III. Phase II of the Research : Interviews with Library Patrons • Development of the Survey • An interview protocol : semi-structured interview • Interview questions invited to people • To tell stories about their experiences with computers and the Internet • To give meaning to their experiences • Probes • Digital divide theme (e.g., educational and cultural differences, values, diversity of computer use, etc.)

7. III. Phase II of the Research : Interview with Library Patrons (Cont.) • Method • Nine interviewees were selected from the survey. Conditions: • 18 years of age or older • Used the public library as their primary access to computers and the Internet • Manifested one or more or the digital divide characteristics • Agreed to be interviewed • Interviews were conducted privately and tape-recorded for later theme analysis.

8. III. Phase II of the Research : Interview with Library Patrons (Cont.) • Findings • Reasons for starting to use/learn computers/ the Internet • Frequently reported uses of computers/ the Internet • Impact of not having access to computers/ the Internet • The importance of public access to computers/ the Internet

9. IV. Conclusions • Importance of having public access especially for those who do not have alternative access to computers/ the Internet • The primary recommendations for improvement of services in public libraries • Significance of public library in bridging the gap of digital divides

10. V. Discussion and More… • Discussion with audience • Questions & Answers • Sharing of research materials