Internet access in public libraries survey, 2005

Preliminary results (14 December 2005)

In December 2005 public libraries throughout Australia were asked to take part in a survey about their public access internet services. This preliminary report is based on the first 125 responses received to 13 December 2005. This number includes some invalid and incomplete responses so the report covers 116 library services operating through 366 sites.

Preliminary results confirm the findings of the earlier 2002 survey:

• that public libraries' internet services are very popular, highly regarded and heavily used;
• that these services are well-managed, with responsible and effective internet use policies and extensive user education and support programs;
• that the level of complaints from users about internet content is very low.

Changes since the earlier survey in 2002 include a growth in the percentage of libraries offering separate internet terminals and special websites for children and in libraries requiring parental consent for children to use internet services. There has been a substantial increase in awareness and use of NetAlert internet safety and education materials and a high level of awareness of ALIA policy and information. There appears to have been an increase in the number of libraries using filters and a corresponding increase in the number of complaints about legitimate sites being blocked.

A full and detailed report will be released in early 2006. For more information please contact Susan Magnay (please remove '.nospam' from address).

Survey respondents

State/territories represented

(2002 survey covered 91 library services with 445 branches and service points, representing over 4 million users)

Locations

Estimated number of registered users of responding library services
3 223 051

Public access internet terminals in responding libraries
2064

Estimated average number of users of internet services per week
39 041

ALIA membership
62 per cent of respondents are ALIA institutional members

Internet policies

Seven (six per cent) respondents do not have an internet use policy. This includes one library which does not have a public access internet service.

Policies are up to date. 68 per cent have reviewed their policies in 2005 and a further 21 per cent in 2003-2004.

About 95 per cent stated that they publicise their policies to users.

18 (15 per cent) had consulted their community in developing their policy.

Community education and training

27 respondents (25 per cent) did not indicate what training/user education services are provided.

39 (33 per cent) have training programs for children and/or parents. (Same percentage as in 2002.)

80 (68 per cent) have training programs for seniors.

98 (84 per cent) provide staff training.

69 (59 per cent) have received NetAlert internet safety and education material. It is being displayed for users near public access computers and on noticeboards, is available for users to take away, has been used in staff training and as a guideline for policy. (In 2002 30 per cent were aware of NetAlert and eight per cent were using their material.)

89 (76 per cent) are aware of relevant ALIA policy and information. It has been used in developing and reviewing policy, in informing Council about policy and in staff training.

Complaints

56 (48 per cent) have received complaints about internet content. (55 per cent in 2002.)

The level of complaints remains low. Only three respondents indicated that they have received more than ten complaints in the past twelve months. Half (of the 56) had received none, one or two complaints in past twelve months.

38 (of the 56 who had received complaints) had complaints about access by children.

Filters

34 (29 per cent) use filtering software. (18 per cent in 2002.) Six of these have unfiltered terminals for adults.

24 (of the 32) had received complaints about filters. Complaints mainly concerned legitimate sites being blocked.

Children

28 (24 per cent) have separate terminals for children. (16 per cent in 2002.)

64 (55 per cent) have websites for children. (47 per cent in 2002.)

98 (84 per cent) require parental consent for children to use the internet. (72 per cent in 2002.) For the majority (50 of the 98) this is for up to 18 years of age.

41 (35 per cent) require a parent to be present. (26 per cent in 2002).

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