Libraries Are Popular Net Access Point

[Shirl Kennedy]

>From TipWorld's Internet Industry Daily News (4/15/98):

Libraries Are Popular Net Access Point

Next to home, work, or school, the public library is the most popular place
from which to get on the Internet. Research analyzed by the MCI Foundation
found the number of people who accessed the Internet from their public
library has increased 86 percent since January 1997. "This study reveals a
dramatic shift in technology awareness and availability," said Diane
Strahan, the foundation's executive director. "Today, 16 percent of users
access the Internet from an alternative point, and by the year 2000, our
data suggests that number will nearly double," she added.

The percentage of libraries that offer Internet access to their patrons has
more than doubled, to 60.4 percent today from 27.8 percent in 1996,
according to the 1997 Public Library Data Service Statistical Report. Of
8921 public libraries across the country, 72.3 percent are connected to the
Internet, up from 44.4 percent in 1996.



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