Wednesday, 17th October 2012

Public access and development: The impact of public access venues and the benefits of libraries

Source: Technology & Social Change Group

Background:

Public access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) can play an important role in development. Communities benefit when people can access information and communicate with experts and people in their social networks to learn about health, jobs, education, leisure activities, or whatever inspires them. When access to ICTs is public and available to everyone in the community, such as in public libraries, telecenters, and cybercafés, it can be an effective tool for those that need it most.

In some countries, public libraries deliver this core service. There are over 230,000 libraries worldwide, most in developing countries. Many of these libraries offer free computer and Internet access, sometimes the only options for free and reliable access, yet they are often overlooked when development agencies implement policies to promote public information and communication.

This brief describes some of the emerging findings of the Global Impact Study of Public Access to Information & Communication Technologies related to the impact of public access on development, including the unique benefits successful public libraries offer.

+ Direct link to briefing (PDF; 359 KB)

Category:

• Business and economics (DocuTicker)
• International (DocuTicker)
• Internet (DocuTicker)
• Social and cultural issues (DocuTicker)
• Technology (DocuTicker)
• Telecommunications (DocuTicker)

Source:

• Technology & Social Change Group

Views: 1106

By Adrian Janes

Having begun his career in academic libraries, Adrian Janes is currently an Information Services Librarian with the London Borough of Havering.

In this role, he has particular responsibility for information from both the UK Government and the European Union. He wrote a detailed report on sources for the latter which was published by Free Pint Ltd. in 2007. He is also involved in training and publicising online reference resources and is a regular contributor to DocuTicker.

Adrian can be reached at adrian.janes@freepint.com

More articles by Adrian Janes »

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