Describes the Electronic Information Network, a project created by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in conjunction with public libraries in Pennsylvania's Allegheny County. The project uses the library's vision, funding, and librarian expertise to provide public access to community information on the Internet. Sidebars present steps and issues…

Describes free-nets as free public access community-based computer systems; explains how libraries and librarians participate in the free-net movement; discusses Canadian free-nets; considers the public library/free-net analogy; and provides a survey of library services on Internet-accessible free-nets and civic networks. (Contains four…

Discussion of the NREN (National Research and Education Network) and issues of access focuses on the role of the public library. Highlights include current uses of the Internet; resource sharing; guidelines for public library service; availability of the Internet and NREN through public libraries; and a sidebar that lists sources of further…

Because North Carolina's telecommunications services have been unable to provide cost-effective, statewide dial-access service to public libraries, the state library has had to identify a suitable alternative for public library network access. This article outlines the state library's efforts to provide access to the Internet and to electronic…

Outlines the proposed Public Communication System (PCS) being explored at the University of Wisconsin and University of Iowa to provide coalition-based, nonprofit public access to the Internet/NREN (National Research and Education Network) and associated information resources. Funding, organization, prospects for success, benefits to the public,…

Discussion of access to the Internet focuses on access by public libraries. Topics addressed include the role of the public library; computer and information networks; the National Information Infrastructure; the NREN (National Research and Education Network); the telecommunications industry; federal legislation; costs; file transfer protocol; and…

This document presents an analytical bibliography of literature on the library of the future that was published between the years 1983 and 1994. This project had four objectives: (1) to identify and retrieve published literature on the library of the future; (2) to formulate document surrogates for this literature and add them to a computerized…

Rural communities face a dilemma in their efforts to keep pace with knowledge developments. Their remoteness makes access to knowledge of the outside world difficult, time-consuming, and costly. At the same time, the fact that there is access of a sort can mean that local knowledge becomes lost or discarded as somehow inferior. The pervasiveness…

Presents findings from an empirical study of community information exchange, computer access and use among lowincome, predominantly AfricanAmerican residents in one locale. Results indicate that, while computer use is minimal, many lowincome community members are poised to participate in the local development of networked information services.…

Examines the Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN) which provides access to the state's public library resources; federal, state, and regional information resources; and other electronic information resources. Describes OPLIN's role in Ohio, hardware and services provided, mission, origin, funding, staff training, databases, future plans…

Presents four examples of partnerships between corporations, public institutions, and schools that provide adults with access to technology and ongoing education. Highlights include distance learning, videoconferencing, interactive video and audio, satellite networks, and electronic services in public libraries. (AEF)

Edited transcripts of three talks presented at the 1991 Research and Education Networking (R&EN) Conference address municipal information systems, including descriptions of local networks, privacy issues, and future possibilities; networking in Canada, including CA*net, regional networks, and federal activities; and Canadian reactions to…

Addresses the issue of student access to inappropriate materials on the Internet. Topics discussed include school library policies; the role of parents; public library concerns; access to information; and a sample technical code of conduct for high schools. (seven references) (LRW)

Discussion of intellectual freedom, access to information, and public library administration focuses on three main areas: (1) access to minors; (2) access to library services by the poor, including library card registration policies that require a permanent address; and (3) charging fines and fees. Information equality and access to Internet are…

This paper applies an evaluation method for World Wide Web sites that provide access to online reference materials at academic and public libraries. The evaluation of Web sites was performed with a questionnaire form focusing on Web site currency, accuracy and relevancy; Web site organization/structure; Web site presentation; URL maintenance; and…