| In today's information based society, microcomputer hardware and software facilitates or inhibits access to information. The members of the public that have access to technology, and hence to information, are the haves; those without, the have nots of the information age. Because public libraries are closing at the rate of one a week, and, when providing computer based access, often charge, alternative sources must be found that provide the general public with technology based access.; This baseline survey of general public access examines another potential provider of microcomputer hardware and software access, the public, two-year community college library/learning center (LRC), and answers three questions: first, to what extent are two-year, community college library/learning centers providing general public access to microcomputer hardware and software; second, what are the factors that could be limiting such access; and third, what relationships exist between demographic variables (region, size of student enrollment, size of taxing district population, and library/learning center budget) and the provision of general public access to microcomputer software and hardware?; The findings show a large percentage (72%) of LRC administrators agreed or strongly agreed that LRCs should be providing general public access to microcomputer software and hardware. A larger number (92%) strongly agreed or agreed that providing general public access to information via microcomputer hardware and software is an important role. Most LRCs have microcomputer hardware (89%) and provide on-site, general public access to it (57%). Few loan microcomputer hardware to the public (2%).; Some LRCs also own software as part of the collection (68%) and provide on-site, room use access to the general public (47%), students (62%), general faculty (59%) and library staff (68%). Only eight percent (8%) loan/circulate software to the general public. Forty-six percent (46%) provide access to data bases, such as ERIC. Few LRCs charge microcomputer related fees. Factors potentially limiting access include: policies and practices; licensing, copyright and legal restrictions; attitudes; technological inhibitors; and fees.; Since the community college historically provides academic support to the community, this institution is a logical choice when choosing providers of general public access to microcomputer based information accessed via the "Information Superhighway."... |
