A statewide survey of electronic resources and access services provided by New Jersey libraries. The results of the questionnaire will be used in making decisions about future State Library grants and programs. The questionnaire was divided into four sections covering local systems (e.g., integrated library systems), Internet access, electronic resources, and local wide area networks used to facilitate access to to these resources. A major emphasis of the questionnaire was to gather information on direct patron access to electronic sources of information.

This 1996 National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) survey gathered data from a national sample of public libraries concerning the current level of public library involvement with the Internet. The purpose of this study was to: (1) provide policymakers, researchers, and library professionals with longitudinal data that measured changes in public library Internet involvement since the first survey in 1994; (2) identify costs for public library Internet services; and (3) identify issues and inform the policy debate concerning public library roles in the electronic networked environment. This final report is divided into three sections: Introduction; Study Results; and Progress and Issues. The introduction discusses the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and the Library Services and Construction Act/Library Services and Technology Act; intellectual property and the National Information Infrastructure; and an electronic federal depository library program. The second section discusses study methodology; public library demographics; accessing the Internet; the current state of public library Internet connectivity; Internet uses and public access services; and benefits to connecting to the Internet. The third section focuses on disparities; connectivity versus services; the goal of universal service; quality of network services; the life cycle of public library Internet development; and preparation for the next survey. Appendices include the survey instrument, survey alert, and cover letter, and information about the authors. (Contains 27 references, and 45 figures that present survey data.) (Author/AEF)

Library Technology Reports August/September 2011 vol. 47 / no.6 This issue of Library Technology Reports, conceived and coordinated by the American Library Association's (ALA) Office for Research and Statistics, focuses on the evolution and current state of public-access technologies in public libraries from the infrastructure, services, and resources perspectives. This issue brings together longitudinal data, key issues, trends, and best practices that will provide library staff with tools for planning, advocacy, and service enhancements. A number of prominent library professionals contributed their expertise to this issue. Authors and topics include John carlo Bertot, Paul T. Jaeger, Emily E. Wahl, and Kathryn I. Sigler on Public Libraries and the Internet: An Evolutionary Perspective; Nicole D. Alemanne, Lauren H. Mandel, and Charles R. McClure on The Rural Public Library as Leader in Community Broadband Services; Robert A. Caluori, Jr. on Successfully Planning a Scalable and Effective Patron Wireless Network; Nancy Fredericks on E-Government and Employment Support Services; Larra Clark and Marijke Visser on Digital Literacy; and Stephanie Gerding on Transforming Public Library Patron Technology Training.