LITA NATIONAL CONFERENCE OCTOBER 17, 2008 PRESENTERS: LARRA CLARK OFFICE FOR RESEARCH & STATISTICS WWW.ALA.ORG/PLINTERNETFUNDING CARRIE LOWE OFFICE FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY POLICY WWW.ALA.ORG/OITP State of Technology Access and Funding in U.S. Public Libraries 10/17/08

Today’s Program Background on Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study Key findings and trends from study Key learnings from OITP projects Strategies in addressing barriers to technology access Discussion/Q&A 10/17/08

Background on Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study

Key findings and trends from study

Key learnings from OITP projects

Strategies in addressing barriers to technology access

Discussion/Q&A

Background The Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study assesses public access to computers, the Internet and Internet-related services in U.S. public libraries, as well as the impact of library funding changes on connectivity, technology deployment and sustainability. 10/17/08

The Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study assesses public access to computers, the Internet and Internet-related services in U.S. public libraries, as well as the impact of library funding changes on connectivity, technology deployment and sustainability.

Three-Part Study Public Libraries & the Internet online survey Focus groups and site visits Annual high-level questionnaire to Chief Officers of State Library Agencies 10/17/08

Public Libraries & the Internet online survey

Focus groups and site visits

Annual high-level questionnaire to Chief Officers of State Library Agencies

Current State of Technology Public library branches, overall, have an average of 12 public access computers. Rural: 7.5 computers Suburban: 13.9 computers Urban: 21 computers The average age of these computers is fairly evenly split. Less than one year old: average of 6.9 computers 2-3 years old: average of 7.1 computers Greater than 4 years old: average of 5.6 computers 10/17/08

Public library branches, overall, have an average of 12 public access computers.

Rural: 7.5 computers

Suburban: 13.9 computers

Urban: 21 computers

The average age of these computers is fairly evenly split.

Less than one year old: average of 6.9 computers

2-3 years old: average of 7.1 computers

Greater than 4 years old: average of 5.6 computers

Current State of Technology More than half of libraries (56.1%) have no plans to add public computers in the coming year. The three leading factors influencing the addition of public computers are: Space (77.7%) Cost (75.9%) Availability of electrical, cabling or other infrastructure (36.4%) 10/17/08

More than half of libraries (56.1%) have no plans to add public computers in the coming year.

The three leading factors influencing the addition of public computers are:

Space (77.7%)

Cost (75.9%)

Availability of electrical, cabling or other infrastructure (36.4%)

Current State of Technology 48% of libraries have no plans to replace computers in the coming year 42% of libraries do not have a schedule for replacing or adding computers Rural: 56.4% Suburban: 35.6% Urban: 15.6% The most common replacement or addition schedule is every four years. 10/17/08

48% of libraries have no plans to replace computers in the coming year

42% of libraries do not have a schedule for replacing or adding computers

Rural: 56.4%

Suburban: 35.6%

Urban: 15.6%

The most common replacement or addition schedule is every four years.

Current State of Technology 10/17/08

Current State of Technology Two-thirds of libraries now offer wireless access. Rural: 56.6% Suburban: 72.1% Urban: 80.7% Three-quarters of libraries offer wireless on the same connection used for public desktop computers, reducing the actual speed of access over the network. 10/17/08

Two-thirds of libraries now offer wireless access.

Rural: 56.6%

Suburban: 72.1%

Urban: 80.7%

Three-quarters of libraries offer wireless on the same connection used for public desktop computers, reducing the actual speed of access over the network.

Current State of Technology 10/17/08

Current State of Technology 10/17/08

Current State of Funding Effective technology planning requires detailed expenditure data. Funding data indicate volatility in how libraries support public technology access. Libraries rely as much on “other” sources of revenue as they do state and federal to pay for technology-related expenditures. Library expenditures are shifting away from collections and staff toward “other” expenditures. 10/17/08

Effective technology planning requires detailed expenditure data.

Funding data indicate volatility in how libraries support public technology access.

Libraries rely as much on “other” sources of revenue as they do state and federal to pay for technology-related expenditures.

Library expenditures are shifting away from collections and staff toward “other” expenditures.

Non-Tax Revenue Average Percentage Technology-Related Expenditures from FY 2008 Non-Tax Revenue Sources by Type and Population Served 10/17/08

Average Percentage Technology-Related Expenditures from FY 2008 Non-Tax Revenue Sources by Type and Population Served

Non-tax revenue 10/17/08

Non-tax revenue 10/17/08

Changes in State Funding, 2007 10/17/08 Decreases No Change Increases 11%+ 5-10% 3-4% 1-2% 1-2% 3-4% 5-10% 11%+ Totals Midwest 1 0 0 0 3 3 1 1 3 12 Northeast 0 0 0 0 3 0 2 0 0 5 South 0 0 1 1 5 2 0 2 4 15 West 1 0 0 0 6 2 2 0 2 13 Totals 2 0 1 1 17 7 5 3 9 45

Trends Library infrastructure is being stretched to capacity. 10/17/08

Library infrastructure

is being stretched to capacity.

Staff “ The technology was brought in, and a whole new service created, without additional staff. It was just double the work for no more money.” -- North Carolina library director 10/17/08

“ The technology was brought in, and a whole new service created, without additional staff. It was just double the work for no more money.”

-- North Carolina library director

Staff 10/17/08

IT support 10/17/08

Buildings A majority of library buildings are 25-50 years old, and 40% of library buildings are estimated to be in fair or poor condition. Fewer than 50% of public libraries benefit from capital revenue sources. 10/17/08

A majority of library buildings are 25-50 years old, and 40% of library buildings are estimated to be in fair or poor condition.

Fewer than 50% of public libraries benefit from capital revenue sources.

Internet Services 10/17/08

Solutions Staff training Pilot projects Community engagement and problem-solving Collaborating/partnering 10/17/08

Staff training

Pilot projects

Community engagement and problem-solving

Collaborating/partnering

Connectivity Project “ The problem has become not basic connectivity, but obtaining and sustaining access to the Internet services and resources the public needs as the demands of the medium and its users grow rapidly.” Connectivity Report 10/17/08

“ The problem has become not basic connectivity, but obtaining and sustaining access to the Internet services and resources the public needs as the demands of the medium and its users grow rapidly.”

Connectivity Report

Connectivity Project Eight Key Findings: Lack of awareness of the role of libraries Need for higher bandwidth is exploding Aggregation and collaboration work A minimum bandwidth capacity is needed 10/17/08

Eight Key Findings:

Lack of awareness of the role of libraries

Need for higher bandwidth is exploding

Aggregation and collaboration work

A minimum bandwidth capacity is needed

Connectivity Project Eight Key Findings: 5. There is a need for planning tools 6. There is a need for training and support 7. There are multiple funding options 8. There are viable models 10/17/08

Eight Key Findings:

5. There is a need for planning tools

6. There is a need for training and support

7. There are multiple funding options

8. There are viable models

Connectivity Project: Focus Aggregation and collaboration work 10/17/08

Aggregation and collaboration work

Regional Library Cooperatives Model Building: Is there a model of RLC activity in broadband deployment? Challenges: What challenges do RLCs face in broadband deployment and use in libraries? Knowledge and Information Transfer: How can experience and knowledge be shared with other RLCs? 10/17/08

Model Building: Is there a model of RLC activity in broadband deployment?

Challenges: What challenges do RLCs face in broadband deployment and use in libraries?

Knowledge and Information Transfer: How can experience and knowledge be shared with other RLCs?

RLCs: Model Building Services: advising, aggregating, management and planning, technical support Key Factors for Success: leadership, vision, advocacy, funding, training, more 10/17/08

Services: advising, aggregating, management and planning, technical support

Key Factors for Success: leadership, vision, advocacy, funding, training, more

RLCs: Challenges Keeping up with bandwidth demands Costs E-rate Keeping local staff trained 10/17/08

Keeping up with bandwidth demands

Costs

E-rate

Keeping local staff trained

RLCs: Sharing Knowledge 10/17/08

Connectivity Project: Focus Need for higher bandwidth is exploding There is a need for planning tools 10/17/08

Need for higher bandwidth is exploding

There is a need for planning tools

Capacity Planning What is the relationship between network-based services and bandwidth needs for public libraries? How can libraries better manage their current bandwidth and plan for future capacity? What models exist for achieving adequate bandwidth capacity in the public library community? 10/17/08

What is the relationship between network-based services and bandwidth needs for public libraries?

How can libraries better manage their current bandwidth and plan for future capacity?

What models exist for achieving adequate bandwidth capacity in the public library community?

Capacity Planning: Definition What should the definition of broadband be in a public library context? 10/17/08

What should the definition of broadband be in a public library context?

Capacity Planning: Bandwidth What is the relationship between services provided and bandwidth needs? What is adequate bandwidth to support current and future network technologies? How does a library determine its bandwidth needs? How can a library best manage its bandwidth? 10/17/08

What is the relationship between services provided and bandwidth needs?

What is adequate bandwidth to support current and future network technologies?

How does a library determine its bandwidth needs?

How can a library best manage its bandwidth?

Capacity Planning: Policy and Market What is the actual broadband availability for libraries in the U.S.? How can libraries work with the telecom industry and regulators to promote a public access market? What is the role of E-rate? 10/17/08

What is the actual broadband availability for libraries in the U.S.?

How can libraries work with the telecom industry and regulators to promote a public access market?

What is the role of E-rate?

Capacity Planning: Models What models for capacity work best under what circumstances? What are the criteria for building successful capacity partnerships? What are the benefits of aggregating demand? 10/17/08

What models for capacity work best under what circumstances?

What are the criteria for building successful capacity partnerships?

What are the benefits of aggregating demand?

Capacity Planning: Tools What planning tools would be helpful? What actions might local, regional, or state library or other organizations undertake to promote the high-speed connectivity of libraries? 10/17/08

What planning tools would be helpful?

What actions might local, regional, or state library or other organizations undertake to promote the high-speed connectivity of libraries?

Connectivity Project: Focus There are multiple funding models 10/17/08

There are multiple funding models

Encouraging E-rate Participation Training/Assistance Communications/Advocacy Better data 10/17/08

Training/Assistance

Communications/Advocacy

Better data