State of Technology Access and Funding in U.S. Public Libraries presented at 2008 LITA National...
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Transcript of State of Technology Access and Funding in U.S. Public Libraries presented at 2008 LITA National...
LITA NATIONAL CONFERENCEOCTOBER 17, 2008
PRESENTERS:LARRA CLARK
OFFICE FOR RESEARCH & STATISTICSWWW.ALA.ORG/PLINTERNETFUNDING
CARRIE LOWEOFFICE FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY POLICY
WWW.ALA.ORG/OITP
State of Technology Access and Funding in U.S. Public Libraries
10/17/08
Today’s Program
Background on Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study
Key findings and trends from study
Key learnings from OITP projects
Strategies in addressing barriers to technology access
Discussion/Q&A
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Background
The Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study assesses public access to computers, the Internet and Internet-related services in U.S. public libraries, as well as the impact of library funding changes on connectivity, technology deployment and sustainability.
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Three-Part Study
Public Libraries & the Internet online survey
Focus groups and site visits
Annual high-level questionnaire to Chief Officers of State Library Agencies
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Current State of Technology
Public library branches, overall, have an average of 12 public access computers. Rural: 7.5 computers Suburban: 13.9 computers Urban: 21 computers
The average age of these computers is fairly evenly split. Less than one year old: average of 6.9 computers 2-3 years old: average of 7.1 computers Greater than 4 years old: average of 5.6 computers
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Current State of Technology
More than half of libraries (56.1%) have no plans to add public computers in the coming year.
The three leading factors influencing the addition of public computers are: Space (77.7%) Cost (75.9%) Availability of electrical, cabling or other infrastructure (36.4%)
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Current State of Technology
48% of libraries have no plans to replace computers in the coming year
42% of libraries do not have a schedule for replacing or adding computers Rural: 56.4% Suburban: 35.6% Urban: 15.6%
The most common replacement or addition schedule is every four years.
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Current State of Technology
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Current State of Technology
Two-thirds of libraries now offer wireless access. Rural: 56.6% Suburban: 72.1% Urban: 80.7%
Three-quarters of libraries offer wireless on the same connection used for public desktop computers, reducing the actual speed of access over the network.
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Current State of Technology
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Current State of Technology
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Current State of Funding
Effective technology planning requires detailed expenditure data.
Funding data indicate volatility in how libraries support public technology access.
Libraries rely as much on “other” sources of revenue as they do state and federal to pay for technology-related expenditures.
Library expenditures are shifting away from collections and staff toward “other” expenditures.
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Non-Tax Revenue
Average Percentage Technology-Related Expenditures from FY 2008 Non-Tax Revenue Sources by Type and Population Served
SalariesOutside Vendors
Hardware / Software Telecommunications
Less than 10,000 4.6% 17.7% 45.5% 21.8%
10,000 - 24,999 4.3% 4.5% 25.8% 11.7%
25,000 - 99,999 1.9% 9.0% 20.6% 4.7%
100,000 - 499,999 3.5% 16.7% 13.5% 6.6%
500,000 or more 0.0% 0.2% 8.6% 0.0%
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Non-tax revenue
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Non-tax revenue
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Changes in State Funding, 2007
Decreases No Change
Increases
11%+ 5-10% 3-4% 1-2% 1-2% 3-4% 5-10% 11%+ Totals
Midwest 1 0 0 0 3 3 1 1 3 12
Northeast 0 0 0 0 3 0 2 0 0 5
South 0 0 1 1 5 2 0 2 4 15
West 1 0 0 0 6 2 2 0 2 13
Totals 2 0 1 1 17 7 5 3 9 45
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Trends
Library infrastructure is being stretched to capacity.
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Staff
“The technology was brought in, and a whole new service created, without additional staff. It was just
double the work for no more money.”-- North Carolina library director
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Staff
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IT support
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Buildings
A majority of library buildings are 25-50 years old, and 40% of library buildings are estimated to be in fair or poor condition.
Fewer than 50% of public libraries benefit from capital revenue sources.
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Internet Services
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Solutions
Staff training
Pilot projects
Community engagement and problem-solving
Collaborating/partnering
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Connectivity Project
“The problem has become not basic connectivity, but obtaining and sustaining access to the Internet services and resources the public needs as the demands of the medium and its users grow rapidly.”Connectivity Report
10/17/08
Connectivity Project
Eight Key Findings:
4. Lack of awareness of the role of libraries5. Need for higher bandwidth is exploding6. Aggregation and collaboration work7. A minimum bandwidth capacity is needed
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Connectivity Project
Eight Key Findings:
5. There is a need for planning tools6. There is a need for training and support7. There are multiple funding options8. There are viable models
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Connectivity Project: Focus
Aggregation and collaboration work
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Regional Library Cooperatives
• Model Building: Is there a model of RLC activity in broadband deployment?
• Challenges: What challenges do RLCs face in broadband deployment and use in libraries?
• Knowledge and Information Transfer: How can experience and knowledge be shared with other RLCs?
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RLCs: Model Building
Services: advising, aggregating, management and planning, technical support
Key Factors for Success: leadership, vision, advocacy, funding, training, more
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RLCs: Challenges
• Keeping up with bandwidth demands• Costs• E-rate• Keeping local staff trained
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RLCs: Sharing Knowledge
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Connectivity Project: Focus
Need for higher bandwidth is exploding
There is a need for planning tools
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Capacity Planning
• What is the relationship between network-based services and bandwidth needs for public libraries?
• How can libraries better manage their current bandwidth and plan for future capacity?
• What models exist for achieving adequate bandwidth capacity in the public library community?
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Capacity Planning: Definition
• What should the definition of broadband be in a public library context?
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Capacity Planning: Bandwidth
• What is the relationship between services provided and bandwidth needs?
• What is adequate bandwidth to support current and future network technologies?
• How does a library determine its bandwidth needs?• How can a library best manage its bandwidth?
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Capacity Planning: Policy and Market
• What is the actual broadband availability for libraries in the U.S.?
• How can libraries work with the telecom industry and regulators to promote a public access market?
• What is the role of E-rate?
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Capacity Planning: Models
• What models for capacity work best under what circumstances?
• What are the criteria for building successful capacity partnerships?
• What are the benefits of aggregating demand?
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Capacity Planning: Tools
• What planning tools would be helpful?• What actions might local, regional, or state library or
other organizations undertake to promote the high-speed connectivity of libraries?
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Connectivity Project: Focus
There are multiple funding models
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Encouraging E-rate Participation
• Training/Assistance• Communications/Advocacy• Better data
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