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The article focuses on a study on the growth of computer and Internet services in public libraries in the U.S. and how such services are financed. It notes that 90% of libraries provide formal training or information technology assistance to effectively utilize computers and online resources. According to the study, Internet services available in public libraries have increased. Also mentioned is an increase in the number of libraries which report that offering services for job seekers is important to the role of the public library.

Presents the results of a survey conducted by the Library Research Center of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign about access control of the Internet in public libraries. Prevalence of Internet-management strategies in libraries, including written policies, parental permission for children's use of the Internet, and filtering tools; Questions raised by the survey.

The article reports that while more than 99 percent of public libraries in the U.S. offer Internet access, many have not kept up with increasing infrastructure demands, which may have implications for demand at academic libraries. An average of 10.7 public access workstations are owned by public library branches, the article notes. Bandwidth speed has slightly declined, with 62.1 percent of public library branches having connection speeds of greater than 769kbps. Nearly 80 percent of libraries also claim to have insufficient workstations some or all of the day.

The article focuses on the "2007 Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study," which provides the most complete national picture of computer and Internet access in U.S. public libraries, conducted by John Carlo Bertot and Charles McClure of Florida State University. The study found that on average, there are 10.7 public access computers in each library branch. For the first time, the study asked if the wireless and wired Internet connections shared the same bandwidth, and nearly half of respondents answered yes.

Reports that the city council of Phoenix, Arizona has voted unanimously on September 8, 2004 to bar adults from unrestricted Internet access on all public library computers. Ruling of the Supreme Court on the Children's Internet Protection Act; Opposition to the council's action; Effect of the decision on the Phoenix Public Library.

Focuses on the Staying Connected grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation which will be given to state library agencies to help public libraries provide free access to computers and the Internet in the U.S. in 2004. Recipients of the grants; Benefits of the grants to the Tennessee State Library and Archives; Amount of matching state and federal money secured by the Alabama Public Library Service.

Reports on a library program in Houston, Texas which will give library card-holding residents free access to email, word processing, spreadsheet software and document storage space. Positive reaction to the program; Technological facilities at the libraries; Cost effectiveness of the program.

The article focuses on a 2008-2009 study by the American Library Association (ALA) about funding and technology access in public libraries. Results of the study indicated that over 71% of libraries claim that they stand as the sole source of free access to computers and the Internet in their respective communities. Job-seeking services were regarded by the libraries as one of the most crucial online services offered. About 38% of libraries experienced budget increases at or above the inflation rate.

The article discusses the findings of a study conducted by the American Library Association (ALA) and the Information Use Management and Policy Institute at Florida State University in Tallahassee. The study found that more than 73% of libraries report they are the only source of free public access to computers and the Internet in their communities. It was also found that thousands of libraries across the country also have reached, or are nearing, their maximum capacity for space.

Editorial. Focuses on a Jefferson Parish, Louisiana ordinance drafted to make it illegal for anyone to use library Internet access to view material deemed obscene. Opinion that this is an unconstitutional remedy to the problem of library Internet access abuse; Statement that libraries may have to proactively partner with local law enforcement to curtail so-called surreptitious crimes, such as the viewing of child pornography by convicted molesters.