The Internet Initiative

Some libraries have become community gateways to the world of the Internet. Here are 18 reports on how they did it and what is happening now. They aim to show you how to become a player in the local information community, linking patrons to Net services with enhancements that only librarians can offer. This text deals with organisation, governance and use of Internet services in all types and sizes of library agencies, from Stanford University's immense electronic matrix to one-telephone libraries in rural New York State. Reports are illustrated and include hardware, software, and connectivity data as well as managerial, financial, social, legal and personnel issues. In two surrounding essays the authors establish the context of these services and the opportunites they present for the librarians. The reports draw from experiences in every region of the country, representing state educational agencies and public, academic and special libraries. The contributor's postal and electronic addresses are provided for follow-up contacts.