public I'net access -- news article

[Andrew J. Mutch]

Shirl,

As one of those Detroit area libraries racing to keep up with the public
demand for Internet use (over 600 users last month on 2 terminals - we
just added a 3rd and in a relatively affluent community where many homes
have computers and access to both dial-up and cable Internet connections),
I would second many of the concepts presented by the article.  

We have tried to liberalize our rules (allowing e-mailers, chat) to make
the library as a point where you can access the Internet for any of your
needs.  Our "out-of-towners" include foreign exchange students,
business transferees, and others who home addresses include Austria,
England and Brazil.  I think their ability to keep in touch with people
back homes makes their stay that much more pleasant and proves that the
library serves everyone.  I don't think the day is far off when open
access to Internet services is the expectation of the majority of users.

Andrew Mutch
Northville District Library
Northville, MI    

On Fri, 3 Apr 1998, Shirl Kennedy wrote:

> Libraries Provide Public Access:  Terminals Make Even Out-of-Towners at Home
> on the Internet  (Detroit News)
> 
> "Sometimes you'll depart with exactly what you wanted -- a half-hour on a
> friendly workstation reading and responding to e-mail, checking for news and
> sports and perhaps a quick visit to Maps OnUs.com to examine a regional road
> map. In other cases, you'll find no computers at all or rules barring you
> from using what the place does have."
> 
> http://detnews.com/1998/cyberia/9804/02/04020062.htm
> 
> 
> Shirl Kennedy
> Internet Waves columnist -- Information Today
> Best Bet Internet:  Reference and Research When You Don't Have Time to Mess
> Around
> http://www.ala.org/editions/openstacks/bestbet/index.html
>