Press Information: 11th November 1996

International Comparison of Public Library Connectivity

"Nothing is more important to the future of our democracy than ensuring public access to information....that is why we need our nation's public, school, college and university libraries online."
Betty Turock, President of the American Library Association, 1996

"Surely there can be no doubt that these technological advances must be the major development for public libraries as we move from the twentieth to the twenty-first century, and probably the most significant since public libraries were established."
Melvyn Barnes, President of the UK Library Association, 1995

Betty Turock, President of the American Library Association (1995-1996) and Melvyn Barnes, President of the UK Library Association (1995-1996) are committed to the ideal that all public libraries should offer access to electronic information and the Internet - a commitment carried on by the current President of the UK Library Association, Sandra Parker. This would ensure that all citizens in the USA and the UK, irrespective of age, locality and class would have access to the same information and knowledge. So, why are there such vast differences in the development of electronic information between the two countries?

Earlier this year, comprehensive surveys of public library connectivity were completed in the UK and USA*. The results showed that nearly 45% of all American public libraries have access to the Internet whereas only 3% of all UK public libraries have similar access. In people terms, a member of the public in America has a one in four chance of walking into a public library and being able to access the Internet; in the UK it is less than one in a hundred.

These statistics suggest that the UK is behind the USA in providing electronic information for public use. Since the beginning of the 1990s the Internet has developed very quickly in America. The US Government picked up on the technology quickly and voiced its commitment to the development of the Internet as a source of public information in 1994. Clinton drew attention to the need for universal access through encouraging private companies to work with the public sector.

However, whilst the UK may not have the same level of public access as the USA, the survey discovered that the speed of connection, the quality of the World Wide Web graphics and the electronic services offered in the UK's public libraries were generally of a higher quality than our American counterparts. Unfortunately, 43% of UK libraries who offer public access to the Internet are charging for this service compared to 3.6% in the USA. Government support for public connectivity has only recently begun but as yet there has been no funding. Given the financial constraints imposed on UK libraries it is unlikely that free access on a much wider scale can be provided unless additional funding is found.

The survey highlighted a developing trend of people living in remote and rural areas in both the UK and the USA having significantly less access to the Internet through their local libraries than people living in larger, more urban areas. This trend, if allowed to continue, will threaten the ability of public libraries and their communities to receive the benefits available through information and telecommunication services.

Elsewhere in the world, public libraries are becoming involved in the provision of electronic information to improve their services:

In France, the use of new media and technologies is free. However this means that access is constrained by library budgets and therefore only 13 libraries have on-line services in France. Lyon City Library has noted an increased public demand for direct and immediate electronic information. First observations have revealed that users discovering the Net are sharing skills and often turning up in groups to access a terminal.

In Portugal, new services for public libraries are partly provided by the Public Library Computer Network (PLCN), a consortium that supports the introduction of Information Technology. Current investment focuses on CD-ROM and interactive multi-media systems but, unfortunately, financial restrictions mean that only nine public libraries have full Internet access.

In Germany, approximately 20 per cent of libraries are computerised but the level of service varies between locations. A national project, the InfoThek system, is underway to provide full electronic information sources in libraries. The project offers users access to OPAC, CD-ROM and community information. However, only Bremen, Chemnitz and Cologne can offer the service at the moment due to financial restrictions.

In Australia, the Government has announced a major new initiative, Accessing Australia, to provide public access to electronic networks and the Internet. As part of the $18 million programme, $11.4 million will be given to Local Government authorities during 1996-1997 to ensure that every library is linked to on-line services for public use.

The Internet and use of electronic information is developing rapidly across the world and is set to become an integral part of everyday life. However it is clear from recent research that the lack of adequate funding is creating sporadic growth and widening the gap between those who can afford access - the information rich - and those who can not - the information poor.

ENDS

Note to Editors:

The findings were compared in a report - A Comparison of Internet Connectivity in the USA and UK, 1996' - compiled by Sarah Ormes of the UK Office for Library and Information Networking (UKOLN) and Charles R. McClure, Syracuse University.

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