Broadband and libraries and information organisations: measuring levels of broadband access and perceptions of broadband impact and value

摘要

This research indicates that, in addition to the existence of the middle mile network, what Florida's rural libraries and information organisations really need is more education on the benefits and possible applications of broadband. Without understanding of what broadband connectivity can provide to the organisation and community, administrators and local policymakers will believe that current networks are good enough to meet current needs, therefore spending their limited resources on what they consider to be higher priority problems. Rural libraries are positioned to be extremely valuable centers of broadband technology provision, but to evaluate libraries' abilities to adopt and utilise broadband successfully, they must evaluate the levels of technology education, training, and planning currently available in their organisations.