Public Library study

Study: Public library internet use flourishes, but funding lags
Ever-growing patron demand for computer and internet services in public libraries has stretched existing internet bandwidth, computer availability, and building infrastructure to capacity, according to a new study, Libraries Connect Communities: Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study 2006–2007, conducted by ALA and the Information Use Management and Policy Institute at Florida State University. The study found that more than 73% of libraries are the only source of free public access to computers and the internet in their communities. Listen to an audio interview (http://www.ala.org//ala/pio/presscentera/piopresskits/libraryfundingtechnologyaccessstudypresskit/Podcast.mp3) summarizing the survey, featuring ALA Project Manager Larra Clark and American Libraries Associate Editor Pamela Goodes.