The prediction, in brief:

Using public libraries to access the Internet and its information resources would be a natural and logical extension of the public library mission. “Public access” … means providing public terminals at the library through which patrons could gain access to the Internet as well as allowing remote users to access the library via the Internet. Public libraries offer significant advantages in serving this public-access role. However … affordable access is still a barrier, as is the lack of user-friendliness. In addition, a commitment to this new role by any public library will involve a considerable expenditure of staff time and resources for training and support of both the library staff and the public.

Predictor: Henderson, Carol C.

Prediction, in context:

The 1995 book “Public Access to the Internet,” edited by Brian Kahin and James Keller carries the chapter, “The Role of Public Libraries in Providing Public Access to the Internet” by Carol C. Henderson and Frederick D. King. Henderson is the executive director of the Washington office of the American Library Association and King is the electronic services librarian at the University of Maryland. They write:”Using public libraries to access the Internet and its information resources would be a natural and logical extension of the public library mission. ‘Public access’ … means providing public terminals at the library through which patrons could gain access to the Internet as well as allowing remote users to access the library via the Internet. Public libraries offer significant advantages in serving this public-access role. However … affordable access is still a barrier, as is the lack of user-friendliness. In addition, a commitment to this new role by any public library will involve a considerable expenditure of staff time and resources for training and support of both the library staff and the public.”

Date of prediction: January 1, 1995

Topic of prediction: Getting, Sharing Information

Subtopic: Libraries/Databases

Name of publication: Public Access to the Internet (book)

Title, headline, chapter name: The Role of Public Libraries in Providing Public Access to the Internet

Quote Type: Direct quote

Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Pages 154, 155

This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Guarino, Jennifer Anne