An alternative means of delivering high bandwidth economically to rural areas is to

use radio frequency or microwave technology. This is the solution employed in 

Somerset, for example, where the core of the county's wide area network is based on

microwave connections. Typically, such solutions involve high capital outlay offset by

low revenue costs over, for example, a five year period.

Most libraries need more computers to cope with the increased demand for access to

online resources. All the libraries contacted for the study said they needed more 

computers, raising the question of how many is enough. Various standards are available

  Queensland libraries work on one computer for every 10,000 people. The UK Public

Library Standard PLS 6 has specified that the total number of workstations (including

OPACs) available for public use will equal or exceed 6 per 10,000 inhabitants by the

end of the three year planning cycle to commence in April 2001. Every static service

point is expected to provide public Internet access by December 2002.

The vexed question of provision of e mail access is another dilemma libraries face. All

libraries acknowledge that this is the most popular service, with up to 90 percent of

usage   either e mail or personal transactions   logged at the State Library of Victoria.

However, some libraries question whether this is a legitimate use of free Internet access

provided to access information resources. Some libraries charge for e mail access, others

limit it. Some have accepted that such high demand services encourage people to come

to the library, and could lead to other uses. Blocking out e mail use is not exactly easy  

distance learning packages depend on it and many interactive websites rely upon this

means of communication. Internet cafes faced with this competition from the public sec 

tor have begun to complain. In Somerset, the manager of a local Internet cafe has threat 

ened legal action against the library service following the downsizing of his business

from three to one staff (himself). The answer to this in Somerset's case has been to adopt

the strategy of the New York Public Library that provides would be Internet users in

their potential queue with a list of local Internet cafes. Public sector and mostly free

Internet access will be a feature of every High Street within years if not months in most

Western economies. The Unique Selling Proposition (USP) of the private sector Internet

Cafe has to change if it is to survive. EasyNet's approach is a mix of volume, price, 

service features, ambience and refreshment. The Times Square Cafe has over 800 

terminals offering 30 minutes use for one dollar. At that price, who would walk four

blocks to the library? Market forces will determine the future of the small businessperson

who may be advised to collaborate with the library to provide not only additional

capacity, for example, but also training and support for new users.

The demand for training seems to be insatiable. Brisbane City Council Library 

Services trained 5,500 people in the use of the Internet last year, but there are still many

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