16 May 2001

Get online at your local library

Library and Information Week 2001, Online Day, Friday 18 May

Libraries around Australia are celebrating Online Day on Friday 18 May.

Australia is becoming a knowledge nation. Information and services are increasingly being provided through the internet. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) survey data shows that in 2000, half of all adults in Australia accessed the internet - this is an impressive 9.6 million adults. While a third accessed the internet at home and a quarter accessed it at work, 24 per cent of all adults accessed the internet at sites other than home or work. (Use of the internet by householders. 8147.0. November 2000).

The ABS data shows that libraries and educational institutions are key providers of internet access to those who do not have access from home or work. In 2000, six per cent of all adults accessed the internet in libraries - this is equivalent to 828 000 people. Seven per cent of all adults gained access to the internet from tertiary institutions - this is 966 000 people.

For a knowledge nation dependent upon electronic information and services, gaining internet access, and being able to effectively use the internet, is becoming a social justice as well as a socioeconomic issue. The ABS data confirms this. In 2000, employed adults were more than twice as likely to have accessed the internet than adults who were not employed. Adults with incomes over $40 000 were almost twice as likely to have been internet users than adults with incomes under $40 000. Within the lower-income bracket, libraries, educational institutions and other people's homes were the most likely places of internet access.

The ABS data further confirms that as age increases, the likelihood that an adult uses the internet decreases. It may surprise, however, that 19 per cent of adults over 55 were internet users. Older adults were more likely to access the internet from home. In contrast, 74 per cent of younger adults aged between 18-24 year were internet users. They are most likely to use the internet at a site other than work or home.

Libraries play an important role in the community for providing conveniently-located internet access and training to those who do not have access from home or work. A recent ALIA telephone survey showed that public libraries in states and territories have more than 1800 internet access points, located in over 550 locations. Adding national, state and territory libraries, the number of internet access points rises to more than 2000.