Be Counted! Participate in the 2009-2010 public library technology survey

The 2009-2010 Public Library Funding & Technology Access survey ( www.ala.org/plinternetfunding ) conducted by the American Library Association (ALA) and the Center for Library & Information Innovation at the University of Maryland ( www.liicenter.org ) is now available for completion at  www.plinternetsurvey.org .  

Funded by the American Library Association and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the survey provides important data regarding public library Internet connectivity, use, funding, and services.  Since 1994, these surveys have been used by the American Library Association and others to inform and educate stakeholders - policymakers, funders, elected officials, supporters, and the media - at the local, state and national levels about the issues and needs your library faces in providing public computer and Internet access services and resources; how library staff and technology resources support community employment, e-government, and education services; the challenges libraries face in funding their services and resources; and the need for libraries, as community anchor institutions, to have access to robust high speed Internet connectivity as part of the recent broadband stimulus component of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), also known as the Stimulus Bill. 

Your participation in the survey is extremely important, and directly impacts the ability of ALA and others to advocate on behalf of public libraries and the tremendous contribution public libraries make to their communities through their public access Internet services and resources. Data from the study appeared most recently in USA Today (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/2009-09-01-library-computers-internet_N.htm) in a discussion of how public libraries help job seekers.

The survey is open through November 6, 2009.  To participate, go to  http://www.plinternetsurvey.org .  You will need an ID number, which you may look up on the website.  Thank you for your time and willingness to participate.  Questions regarding the survey should be directed to  support@plinternetsurvey.org  or 301.405.9445.

Thank you for your willingness to participate!  A dditional information regarding the survey and previous survey results is available at  http://www.liicenter.org/plinternet. The full Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study can be found online at  www.ala.org/plinternetfunding. 

Larra Clark
Project Manager
ALA Office for Research & Statistics
50 E. Huron
Chicago, IL 60611
800-545-2433 x2129
www.ala.org/plinternetfunding