October 16, 2007
CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) is encouraging public libraries to participate in the 2007-2008 Public Library Funding and Technology Access online survey. The survey provides an important opportunity for libraries to share information on computer and Internet resources and infrastructure, as well as funding, technology training and other uses of public libraries, such as providing public access technology centers in their communities. The current year’s online survey, available at http://survey.pnmi.com, will be available through Nov. 25, Â 2007.
“This survey is vital to all of us-data from past studies have been used in Congressional testimony, by the U.S. Census Bureau and by national and local media,” said ALA Office for Research & Statistics Director Denise M. Davis. “The success of the survey rests largely on the overall and individual state response rates. We encourage all public libraries to log on and help us create the most complete picture possible of technology in our nation’s public libraries. Our thanks also to all the libraries that already have completed the survey.”
The study, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and ALA, continues work begun by John Carlo Bertot and Charles R. McClure in 1994. Â It provides important information for policymakers, the ALA and library advocates regarding public library Internet and public computing needs and issues.
More information, including results from the 2007 study, is available online at http://www.ala.org/plinternetf
Contact: Larra Clark
ORS Project Manager
312-280-2129
lclark@ala.org
For Immediate Release