Americans want free access, says Gates Foundation study

摘要

The majority of Americans believe free access to computers and the Internet is vital, and they are willing to pay higher taxes to support it in public libraries. These findings are among those revealed in a study of the Bill and Melinda GatesFoundation's U.S. Library Program conducted by the University of Washington and released March 15. According to the Gates Foundation, the national survey findings indicate support for public-access computing in libraries is widespread and strong. They include the results of a national telephone survey conducted in the summers of 2000 and 2001, as well as surveys and research done with patrons and staff of libraries that have received Gates funding for computer access. The telephone survey included questions about computer use, availability, and respondents' experience with and opinions about public libraries. The survey indicates that most Americans think public libraries' computer services have been successful and should be funded and maintained primarily by government. Library fundraising and local businesses were also mentioned as possible avenues of support. More than three-quarters of the respondents agreed that "public access to computers and the Internet will help narrow the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have nots' in our society." Among those who agreed, 73% thought access to computerswas more important than Internet access, especially for children. The Gates Foundation contracted researchers Andrew C. and Margaret T. Gordon, of UW's Public Access to Computing Project in the Evans School of Public Affairs, in 1998 to begin assessing whether the objectives of the library program were being met. The foundation expects to have given approximately 40,000 computers to nearly 10,000 libraries by the end of next year. "Our research included interviews with people who use computers in the libraries that have been funded by the foundation," said Andrew Gordon.