Internet access in public libraries survey 2005

[ pdf version 180KB ]

Conducted December 2005
Summary report, March 2006

Summary

This comprehensive national survey of internet access in public libraries covers over 700, or 41 per cent, of public libraries across Australia. The library services which participated in the survey represent almost 6 million registered library users.

This report is a follow-up to a similar survey in 2002 and provides up-to-date information on how public library internet services are being managed, delivered and used.

Australia's public libraries are key players in addressing the need for equitable community access to online information and services. Public access internet services in libraries are expanding. Public libraries are important sources for internet training, access to online services and providers of valuable online content, including content available only by subscription.

Key findings

Over 77 000 people access internet services each week in the libraries covered by the survey.

In providing internet access services:

• 95 per cent of public libraries have internet use policies. These policies are regularly reviewed and endorsed and are widely publicised to library users and the community
• 85 per cent of public libraries provide user education, internet training, guides to searching and trained staff to assist users
• Public libraries are an important source for community information and education on effective and safe internet use
• 80 per cent of public libraries monitor and supervise internet use in a variety of ways
• 50 per cent of libraries surveyed reported that they had received no complaints about internet content. Most of the 50 per cent who had received complaints said that they had received five or fewer complaints in the past 12 months. Most of these complaints concerned sexually explicit content, compared to violent, racist or other offensive content.
• 30 per cent reported using filtering software (up from 18 per cent in 2002). However, there has been a corresponding increase in complaints, mainly about filters blocking legitimate sites.
• 71 per cent of libraries require parental consent for children to use the internet. Some libraries also require a parent or carer to be present with a child using the internet.
• public libraries attend to the needs and interest of children and young people by providing separate internet terminals and/or websites for children and young adults that link to resources tailored especially for them.

Internet access services in public libraries are highly valued, popular and heavily used. Services have grown and improved over the past three years. Users particularly appreciate the improvements in access, bandwidth and speed that many libraries have made. Internet access services are used for study and learning; accessing government and other services, such as banking; recreation and e-mail and many other purposes.

Conclusions

Providing access to online information and services is a core service for public libraries and must be based on the principle of the right of all users to unhindered access to information of their choice regardless of format, in the context of the current regulatory measures for online content and libraries' duty of care.

The experiences of libraries and their users supports a view that the current legislation relating to online content is appropriate, workable and reflects wide held community views and standards.

Delivering an effective, rewarding and safe internet service requires in-depth understanding of user needs, online content and technical requirements. The call for filtering public library internet services is not the answer as filters have been shown to block legitimate content while not guaranteeing that illegal or inappropriate sites will be blocked.

The work of organisations such as NetAlert and the Australian Library and Information Association in developing educational and information materials for libraries and internet users is well-known, appreciated and used by public libraries.

Australian Library and Information Association
31 March 2006

 back