DELAND -- The Volusia County Public Library system will participate in a nationwide Internet survey to discover how people use free computers and Internet connections in public libraries.
“Some people believe library computers are used mostly for entertainment, but librarians report that people use them to find jobs, stay connected with family and friends, and to obtain health information,” said Lucinda Colee, Volusia County’s director of library services.
The U.S. IMPACT web survey is being conducted by the University of Washington Information School with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The goal is to collect evidence about the ways computers in public libraries help people and their communities across the United States. Results will be used to improve these services and inform policymakers about how best to fund and support them.
The web survey will be available at www.volusialibrary.org from April 20 through May 4. The survey is anonymous and takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete. For more information, please visit the library information desk at one of Volusia County’s 16 public libraries or log on to the IMPACT studies’ web site at http://impact.ischool.washington.edu.