WebJunction

I'm going to be working with some libraries to set up community information centers for the public. They want to automate as much of it as possible so people in the community can find information either on a computer in the library or link to the information from someplace else.

I'm looking for resources and examples of CICs that really work well. Any help out there?

Nancy Bolt

Nancy,

This is a link to online community information centers worldwide. It's an older page, so some of the links do not work, but there are plenty of examples here of regionally based & community focused Web portals:

[url http://www.lights.com/freenet ]http://www.lights.com/freenet[/url]

Nancy,

Not sure if this is the same thing that you are looking for, but Joan Durrance (U.Mich) and Karen Fisher (previously Pettigrew) (UW) have done some work in these areas that might be of interest. You might take a look at the following sites and see if any of it interests you -

"The Communnity Connector" at http://databases.si.umich.edu/cfdocs/community/index.cfm and

"How Libraries and Librarians Help" at http://ibec.ischool.washington.edu/pubs/library.trends.2003.pdf. The other note of interest might be the paper mentioned here - "Approaches for Understanding Community Information Use" - Researchers on this project are gathering data to better understand the information-seeking behavior of consumers and to identify best practices in the provision of community information and community services. (from http://intel.si.umich.edu/cfdocs/si/research/researchprojects.cfm#39 ]0

Welcome Aboard..

Nice to know it's sunny somewhere in the world.

I got to see a little bit of GIS about 3 to 4 years ago... I was volunteering with a community Health organization and at a conference the 'Institute' was using it to show us how they were 'mapping' risk factors to see if there were localized concentrations that could be better addressed. I've also talked to a few Advertising/marketing people who are using it as well. It looks like fabulous software that allows you to spend your dollars more effectively, whether it be in advertising services or designing programs to reach target audiences. I cannot wait for the software to become a little more prevalent [cheaper, easier, etc], so that I can incorporate it into the Library's planning process.

Again, I'm glad you have come aboard and Great post.

A new report may provide some thoughtful insights into CTS's and their role as catalysts in communities:

Community Technology Centers as Catalysts for Community Change--

A Report to the Ford Foundation

By Project for Public Spaces, BCT Partners and New School University

http://www.bctpartners.com/comm_tech.htm

Chrystie, in speaking with OCCN (Ohio Community Computing Network) they site multiple examples of how CTCs and Libraries are working together on programs ranging from training, infrastructure, and funding. Below area few examples of those programs:

- In the small Appalachian village of Shawnee, the public library extended their network connection to the SPiCYAM (Southern Perry County Youth Arts & Media) CTC.

- In Toledo, a public librarian who works with seniors teach classes onsite at C usage and how to TCs serving seniors. The classes tend to be on Internet utilize the libraries online services (such as the card catalog).

- The New Carlisle Public Library and Del Pueblo (a community org providing services to the migrant community) partnered to provide technical resources and assistance to migrant workers and their families.

- The Akron Urban League and the Akron Public Library have a reciprocal agreement. They each know the others services and are able to direct individuals to those services.

This is an extremely important topic and I?d like to hear more about how others are sharing their programs and resources!!!