Bridging the Digital Divide:The Impact of Public Libraries

on Computer Access and Internet Use

Mee-Aeng KoMee-Aeng Ko

University of Missouri-ColumbiaUniversity of Missouri-Columbia

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I. Need for the Study on the Impact of Public Libraries and the Digital Divide

Public libraries as a “Public libraries as a “rescuerrescuer” for have-nots who ” for have-nots who experience the impact of digital divides on their welfareexperience the impact of digital divides on their welfare

The roles and efforts of public libraries to close the The roles and efforts of public libraries to close the digital gap are still largely unknown. digital gap are still largely unknown.

Result from this study can assist public libraries in Result from this study can assist public libraries in determining and managing their public access determining and managing their public access computing services to bridging the digital divide in its computing services to bridging the digital divide in its community. community.

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II. Phase I of the Research : Survey of Library Patrons

Development of the SurveyDevelopment of the Survey: : A survey was developed to gather the following A survey was developed to gather the following information. information.

Patron’s use of computers and the Internet in the Patron’s use of computers and the Internet in the public librarypublic library

The viewpoints about the access to computers and The viewpoints about the access to computers and the Internet in their livesthe Internet in their lives

Suggestions for improvement for public computingSuggestions for improvement for public computing

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II. Phase I of the Research : Survey of Library Patrons (Cont.)

MethodMethod

The survey was distributed near every computer in The survey was distributed near every computer in the library.the library.

Responses were anonymous and collected in a sealed Responses were anonymous and collected in a sealed box. box.

During a one-month period, 70 reputable surveys During a one-month period, 70 reputable surveys were completed by library patrons aged 13 to 64. were completed by library patrons aged 13 to 64.

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II. Phase I of the Research : Survey of Library Patrons (Cont.)

FindingsFindings

The library patrons’ uses of the computers/ the The library patrons’ uses of the computers/ the InternetInternet

Activities on the Internet Activities on the Internet

The primary barrier cited for using library The primary barrier cited for using library computers computers

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III. Phase II of the Research : Interviews with Library Patrons

Development of the SurveyDevelopment of the Survey

An interview protocol : semi-structured interviewAn interview protocol : semi-structured interview

Interview questions invited to people Interview questions invited to people To tell stories about their experiences with computers and To tell stories about their experiences with computers and

the Internetthe Internet To give meaning to their experiencesTo give meaning to their experiences

Probes Probes Digital divide theme (e.g., educational and cultural Digital divide theme (e.g., educational and cultural

differences, values, diversity of computer use, etc.)differences, values, diversity of computer use, etc.)

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III. Phase II of the Research : Interview with Library Patrons (Cont.)

MethodMethod

Nine interviewees were selected from the survey.Nine interviewees were selected from the survey. Conditions:Conditions:

18 years of age or older18 years of age or older Used the public library as their primary access to computers Used the public library as their primary access to computers

and the Internetand the Internet Manifested one or more or the digital divide characteristicsManifested one or more or the digital divide characteristics Agreed to be interviewedAgreed to be interviewed

Interviews were conducted privately and tape-Interviews were conducted privately and tape-recorded for later theme analysis.recorded for later theme analysis.

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III. Phase II of the Research : Interview with Library Patrons (Cont.)

FindingsFindings

Reasons for starting to use/learn computers/ the Reasons for starting to use/learn computers/ the InternetInternet

Frequently reported uses of computers/ the InternetFrequently reported uses of computers/ the Internet

Impact of not having access to computers/ the Impact of not having access to computers/ the InternetInternet

The importance of public access to computers/ the The importance of public access to computers/ the Internet Internet

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IV. Conclusions

Importance of having public access especially for those Importance of having public access especially for those who do not have alternative access to computers/ the who do not have alternative access to computers/ the InternetInternet

The primary recommendations for improvement of The primary recommendations for improvement of services in public librariesservices in public libraries

Significance of public library in bridging the gap of Significance of public library in bridging the gap of digital dividesdigital divides

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V. Discussion and More…

Discussion with audienceDiscussion with audience

Questions & AnswersQuestions & Answers

Sharing of research materialsSharing of research materials