U.S. Libraries Wired, But Falling Behind

American public libraries are struggling to keep up with the demand for computer and Internet access, a study commissioned by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the American Library Association has found.

Almost 99 percent of the country's libraries offer computer and Internet access, more than four times the amount of high-tech libraries in 1996. However, more than 85 percent of respondents to the survey said that at some point in the day they are not able to meet demand, which they blame on a lack of proper funding.

"Visits to public libraries have more than doubled to 1.2 billion annually in the past 12 years, and many of these people are coming for computer and Internet access," ALA president Carol Brey Casiano said in a statement. "To ensure free and open access for all Americans, we must keep library doors open and fund library technology initiatives."

According to the report, a little over half of all public libraries reported that the amount of funding received has been flat year over year. 36 percent of libraries saw an increase; however, 13 percent had their technology budgets cut.

Also, there is a disparity between urban and rural libraries in technology offerings. 64 percent of urban libraries offer technology training to their patrons, but in rural America, only 16 percent of libraries offer any kind of training.

Another concern is a lack of planning to upgrade hardware and software, with 70 and 77 percent of libraries respectively having no schedules for upgrading their systems.

"Libraries connect communities with information and knowledge, but we must work together to ensure they stay connected for generations to come," Martha Choe, director of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Global Libraries program said. "Libraries need ongoing support from government, businesses, foundations and citizens to pay for ongoing costs such as Internet access fees, technology upgrades, and technical assistance."