This document summarizes a study evaluating the social and economic impacts of public access computing in Lithuanian public libraries. The study found that while over half of Lithuanians have internet access at home, access is much lower in rural areas. Public libraries provide internet access for 62% of inhabitants, helping bridge the digital divide. The study examined how and why public access computing is used, typical user demographics, purposes of use, and social and economic benefits. Key findings include that public libraries are the main internet access point for many, and provide benefits such as communication, education, and economic opportunities that help users save money and find jobs.

1. Evaluating social and economic
impact of public access computing at
public libraries
Ugne Rutkauskiene,
Impact Assessment Specialist
Project “Libraries for Innovation”
ugne.rutkauskiene@bibliotekospazangai.lt

2. Research problem
Although public libraries in Lithuania are main
providers of free of charge public access to
Internet they are not seen as important players
in diffusion of ICTs by decision makers
There is no valid and trustful data about their
impacts on users and communities

3. Theoretical background
Goal – to investigate social and economic outcomes
and impacts of public access computing on users
Main research questions:
• How and why public access computing is being used?
• What is typical user’s profile?
• For what purposes public access computing is being
used?
• What social and economic benefits public access
computing brings?
• What is the role and value of library and librarian?

4. Research design
References: Usherwood&Linley; McClure&Bertot; Durrance&Fisher; Poll&Payne; The Global Impact Study

5. Internet availability and usage
55% of inhabitants have Internet at home BUT
54% of inhabitants in rural areas do not have
access at home or at work
Internet is available at 70% of public libraries
BUT twice less rural libraries are connected
Internet is used by 62% of inhabitants BUT it is
not used by disabled (80%), elderly (67%), low
income (66%) and unemployed people (63%)

6. Internet usage in public libraries
34% of inhabitants have used the Internet in
public library, it is an ordinary place to use
Internet for 14%
For 79% of PAC users library is the main place
to access the Internet, 28% do not have any
alternative access
Main users are students and schoolchildren BUT
also elderly, low income and unemployed people

7. Areas of Internet use
Leisure and Culture 55%
59%
Occupation and Economic Activities 46%
52%
Communication 39%
51%
Education 29%
29%
Health 28%
26%
E-Government 14%
11%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
PAC users Internet users in general

8. Social impact
Enriched cultural life and leasure 85%
Better communication with friends
67%
and family
Better opportunities to solve health
47%
problems
Support in learning 47%
Better access to government 19%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

9. Economic impact
Saved money 47%
Helped to buy things or services 26%
Helped to find job 19%
Helped to increase income 19%
Helped to earn money 11%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

10. Role and value of library and
librarian
LIBRARY: LIBRARIANS:
Free 31% of users need
Other services are help
available 75% consult users in
Is a convenient place ICT
Has staff that can 1/3 of libraries train
help users in ICT
Provides access to
other IT devices

11. Methodological considerations
It is very difficult to attribute impact to the library
Library impact has to be measured in a
composite way, without missing any peace of
chain (input->output->outcomes->impact)
To get full picture one has to combine both
qualitative and quantitative methods
To measure “real” impact study has to be
longitudinal

12. THANK YOU! Study reports are available at:
www.bibliotekospazangai.lt/ImpactAssessment