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Internet access in public libraries survey 2005

Report (30 March 2006)

Appendix

Public access internet services
Survey of internet access in public libraries

November 2005

In 2002, ALIA conducted a survey of internet access in public libraries. We are now seeking to update the survey to ensure that we have accurate and up-to-date information in this vital area of library services and freedom of access to information. Would you please complete and submit the survey form by 16 December 2005.

You may also return the completed survey form by mail or fax if you prefer. Figures need only be approximate if exact figures are not available.

Internet policy
1.1 Does your library service have an internet use policy?
(If no please continue to question 2)
Yes
 
No
1.2 When was the policy last reviewed? Year
1.3 Does the policy include user behaviour policies? Yes
 
No
1.4 Does the policy impose time restrictions on internet use? Yes
 
No
1.5 If restricted, what are the time limits?
 
 
1.6 Does the library service operate a booking system for internet use? Yes
 
No
1.7 Does the library service publicise the internet use policy? Yes
 
No
1.8 If publicised, how do you do so?
(Please tick all that apply)
Signs near terminals
 
Website
 
Verbally
 
Other
 
Brochures
1.9 If other selected, what method(s) do you use?  
1.10 Was the community consulted when developing the use policy? Yes
 
No
1.11 If consulted, how was this done
(Please tick all that apply)
Public meetings
 
Mail outs
 
Suggestion box in library
 
Other
1.12 If other selected, what method(s) do you use?  
1.13 At what level was the policy endorsed? Library management
 
Council management
 
Council
 
Other
1.14 If other selected, at what level was the endorsement?  
2 Community education and training
2.1 Training courses Subject guides
 
Guides to searching
 
Other
2.2 If other selected, what are the programs and services?  
2.3 Do you have internet training programs specifically for children and/or parents? Yes
 
No
2.4 Do you have internet training programs for seniors? Yes
 
No
2.5 Is the internet training free? Yes
 
No
2.6 Do your library staff receive internet training? Yes
 
No
2.7 Have you received educational material from NetAlert, the Commonwealth government education initiative, such as The librarian's guide to internet safety? Yes
 
No
2.8 If you have received NetAlert material, how has it been used used in your library?
 
 
2.9 Are you aware of ALIA's policy and other information relating to online content regulation and internet services in libraries? Yes
 
No
2.10 If yes, how have you used ALIA's policy and other information?
 
 
3 Complaints
3.1 Has the library received any complaints about internet content? Yes
 
No
3.2 If yes, how many such complaints were received in the past twelve months?  
3.3 Were the complaints about content that was:
(Please tick all that apply)
Sexually explicit
 
Violent Racist
 
Other
3.4 If other selected, what was the nature of the content?
 
 
3.5 Did any such complaints concern access by children? Yes
 
No
3.6 Please add any other comments about complaints received about internet content.
 
 
3.7 To your knowledge, have any complaints about internet content been referred by your library users to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (formerly the Australian Broadcasting Authority)? Yes
 
No
4 Filters
4.1 Does your library service use filters? Yes
 
No
4.2 If filtering is used, what is the filtering software used by your library service?  
4.3 Are there unfiltered terminals for adults? Yes
 
No
4.4 Has the library received any complaints about the use of filters? Yes
 
No
4.5 If complaints have been received, please comment on the nature of the complaints.
 
 
5 Children
5.1 Does your library have separate terminals for children? Yes
 
No
5.2 Does your library have websites for children and young adults that link to material Yes
 
No
5.3 Is parental consent required for children to use the internet? Yes
 
No
5.4 If consent is required, for up to what age?  
5.5 Is there an age requirement for parents to be present with children using the internet? Yes
 
No
5.6 If required, for up to what age?  
6 Monitoring
6.1 Does your library monitor internet use? Yes
 
No
6.2 If monitored, how do you monitor internet use?
(Please tick all that apply)
Collection of system data
 
Visual monitoring by library staff
 
Other
6.3 If other selected, which methods do you use?  
6.4 Do you collect data on:
(Please tick all that apply)
Sites accessed by all users?
 
Sites accessed by children?
 
Other
6.5 If other selected, please add details.  
6.6 What use is made of this information?
 
 
7 About your library
7.1 Your location Metropolitan
 
Greater metropolitan
 
Regional Rural (located in towns of less that 200 people)
7.2 Your state/territory  
7.3 How many branches and access points
(eg. mobile libraries) does your library service have?
 
7.4 How many registered users does your library service have?  
7.5 How many public internet access terminals does your library service have?  
7.6 On average, how many users access the internet each week in your library service?  
7.7 Does you library service have staffing specifially dedicated to supporting internet services? Yes
 
No
7.8 If yes, how many hours per week?  
7.9 Please comment on the nature and type of feedback (both positive and negative) received from users about internet access in the library service?
 
 
7.10 Is your library service an institutional member of ALIA? Yes
 
No
8 Comments
8.1 What other comments do you have about internet access in libraries?
 
 
8.2 Contact details (optional)
 
 

Please submit your completed survey form online or send it by mail or fax by 16 December 2005 to:
Online Content and Regulation Reference Group, Australian Library and Information Association, PO Box 6335, Kingston ACT 2604, fx 02 6282 2249

If you have any questions about the survey please contact: Susan Magnay, manager, planning policy, ph 02 6215 8225, susan.magnay@alia.org.au.nospam (please remove '.nospam' from address)

ALIA Online Content and Regulation Reference Group, November 2005


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