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 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. 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. 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. 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 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 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 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 Method  Nine interviewees were selected from the survey. Conditions: 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 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 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 The primary recommendations for improvement of services in public libraries Significance of public library in bridging the gap of digital divides Significance of public library in bridging the gap of digital divides

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