Saved in:
| Format: | Recurso educativo Open Access |
|---|---|
| Language: | en |
| Published: |
1986
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED272181 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1867180923872608256 |
|---|---|
| collection | Education Resources Information Center |
| contents | Patron Use of Computers in Public Libraries. Computer Literacy Computer Software Library Services Library Surveys Microcomputers National Surveys Public Libraries Questionnaires Tables (Data) Use Studies A survey was conducted to determine the extent to which public libraries have made computer hardware and software available to their patrons. In December 1984, questionnaires were distributed to a stratified national probability sample of 900 public library systems. Results, based on a response rate of 99%, indicate that: (1) 42% of the systems serving large populations (100,000 or more) had computers for patron use, compared with 26% for medium-sized populations (10,000-100,000), and 13% for small populations (fewer than 10,000); (2) an estimated 3,300 computers were available for use in the nation's libraries; three-fourths were situated inside the library while one-fourth could be checked out for loan; (3) about half of all computers were purchased primarily with state or local funds, and one-third were obtained through gifts; (4) patrons used computers inside public libraries for a total of 52,000 hours a week, or about 23 hours per computer per week; (5) 71% of the patrons using computers inside libraries were under 18 years old, but only 30% of outside users were; (6) the typical loan period allowed for computers taken outside the library was one week (67% of systems); (7) 9 out of 10 library systems that provided computers also had computer software for use inside or outside the library; and (8) about one-half of the library systems with computers offered training or orientation sessions. Libraries also indicated a high priority for initiating or increasing hardware and software availability and the number of staff trained to assist patrons. Ten data tables and a copy of the questionnaire are provided. (JB) |
| format | Recurso educativo Open Access |
| id | eric_ED272181 |
| institution | ERIC Institute of Education Sciences |
| language | en |
| publishDate | 1986 |
| record_format | eric |
| spellingShingle | Patron Use of Computers in Public Libraries. Computer Literacy Computer Software Library Services Library Surveys Microcomputers National Surveys Public Libraries Questionnaires Tables (Data) Use Studies Patron Use of Computers in Public Libraries. Computer Literacy Computer Software Library Services Library Surveys Microcomputers National Surveys Public Libraries Questionnaires Tables (Data) Use Studies A survey was conducted to determine the extent to which public libraries have made computer hardware and software available to their patrons. In December 1984, questionnaires were distributed to a stratified national probability sample of 900 public library systems. Results, based on a response rate of 99%, indicate that: (1) 42% of the systems serving large populations (100,000 or more) had computers for patron use, compared with 26% for medium-sized populations (10,000-100,000), and 13% for small populations (fewer than 10,000); (2) an estimated 3,300 computers were available for use in the nation's libraries; three-fourths were situated inside the library while one-fourth could be checked out for loan; (3) about half of all computers were purchased primarily with state or local funds, and one-third were obtained through gifts; (4) patrons used computers inside public libraries for a total of 52,000 hours a week, or about 23 hours per computer per week; (5) 71% of the patrons using computers inside libraries were under 18 years old, but only 30% of outside users were; (6) the typical loan period allowed for computers taken outside the library was one week (67% of systems); (7) 9 out of 10 library systems that provided computers also had computer software for use inside or outside the library; and (8) about one-half of the library systems with computers offered training or orientation sessions. Libraries also indicated a high priority for initiating or increasing hardware and software availability and the number of staff trained to assist patrons. Ten data tables and a copy of the questionnaire are provided. (JB) |
| title | Patron Use of Computers in Public Libraries. |
| topic | Computer Literacy Computer Software Library Services Library Surveys Microcomputers National Surveys Public Libraries Questionnaires Tables (Data) Use Studies |
| url | https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED272181 |