Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/46362

Title

Characteristics and choices of public access Internet users in Victorian public libraries

Author(s)

Hardy, Gary;  Johanson, Graeme

Abstract

Provision of public Internet access has been viewed by governments as a key step towards encouraging uptake among people who do not have access to information communication technologies, and as an important means of building an equitable information society. The Victorian Public Library network has led Australia in providing this access, at no small cost. However, little substantial data is available about the users of this public access, little is known of what they use the access for, nor how well it meets their needs. Through a wide-scale survey, and through focus groups this study explores the demographic characteristics of public library public access Internet users, the extent to which public access Internet provision meets the needs of those users, and users' planned/future use of public access Internet. The role of public access and the policy implications of this data are discussed.

Publication type

Journal article

Source

Online Information Review, Vol. 27, no. 5 (2003), pp. 344-358

Publication year

2003

Keyword(s)

Australia;  Computers;  Information services;  Internet;  Libraries;  Library users;  Public access computers;  Public interest;  Public libraries;  Surveys;  User satisfaction;  Victoria

Publisher

Emerald

ISSN

1468-4527

Publisher URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/14684520310502306

Copyright

Copyright © MCB UP Ltd (2003).

Peer reviewed