Part 1 Findings

Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benfits from Internet Access at U.S. Libraries

Executive summary
Full report
Appendix 1: theoretical frameworks
Appendix 2: research methods
Appendix 3: tables
Appendix 4: telephone survey instrument
Appendix 5: web survey instrument

To receive a printed copy of Opportunity for All, please e-mail your request to imlsinfo@imls.gov. Copies will be provided free-of-charge, while supplies last.

Part 2 Findings

Opportunity for All: How Library Policies and Practices Impact Public Internet Access
Full report

About the U.S. IMPACT Public Library Study
Public libraries have provided free access to the Internet and computers since the 1990s. Libraries have also provided access to digital resources, databases, networked and virtual services, training, technical assistance, and technology-trained staff.  However, little research has examined the relationship between free access to computers and outcomes that benefit individuals, families, and communities.

To better understand how the provision of free access to the Internet and computers in public libraries is impacting the lives of individuals, families, and communities across the United States, the Institute of Museum and Library Services issued a request for proposals for research targeted at documenting, describing and analyzing the use and results of this use in libraries throughout the nation.

“Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access at U.S. Libraries” outlines the first part of the research, describing the characteristics of people who use public access computers and Internet connections, the types of use they engage in, and the impact that use has on their own lives, that of their families and friends, and the communities they live in.

The second report, “Opportunity for All: How Library Policies and Practices Impact Public Internet Access” examines the effect of library characteristics and policies on public access computing use and impact, as a first step toward helping libraries understand how some of their services may be affecting the overall success of their efforts in providing public access services to their communities.

The results of both U.S. IMPACT Study “Opportunity for All” reports clearly show that public libraries are a key element of America’s digital infrastructure, and that large numbers of people are using their public access services to meet their needs in health, education, employment, and other important areas. But it also shows that beyond the Internet connections and computers that libraries provide to make this possible, the one-on-one help and other resources librarians, library staff, and volunteers provide to the users is an important element in the success of these services.

Related Readings

Becker S., Crandall M.D., & Fisher K.E. (2009). Communicating the impact of free access to computers and the internet in public libraries: A mixed methods approach to developing outcome indicators. Public Library Quarterly. 28 (2), 109-119.

Jaeger, P. T., Bertot, J. C., & McClure, C. (2007). Public libraries and the Internet 2006: Issues, findings, and challenges. Public Libraries, 46 (5), 71-78.