The ACT Library and Information Service is actively working to assist this agenda,

and is increasing the number of computers provided in libraries to achieve a standard of

1.5 PCs for every 10,000 people. They offer peer to peer training and have an excellent

senior citizen program where volunteers train other seniors in the use of the Internet.

The library service was instrumental in raising the issue of digital divide, and their

request for more computers with Internet access brought it firmly to the attention of the

government. It was good politics for the library, which were seen as doing something

good that could be expanded, and it has become an election issue.

Key engagement feature

The library service was astute in recognising that highlighting the digital divide could

become a plank for the government in their upcoming election and so secured them

additional funding for public Internet PCs. David Clark comments that this has been a

good example of getting particular programs onto the government s agenda. For too

long libraries have tended to stretch their resources thinner and thinner to provide at

least some kind of service. This initiative was put up as a program and the government

was offered a choice as to whether they wanted to fund it or not. 

The ACT s library website is located at: http://www.act.gov.au/publiclibrary/

Vicnet, Victoria

 Empowering all Victorians in the information age with the capabilities to freely 

publish, share and find online information and to participate in virtual communities

both locally and globally 

VICNET is Victoria s community network, delivering Internet services to people all

around Victoria. VICNET aims to encourage all Victorians to make the most of the

Internet. While VICNET has played a role in encouraging state government agencies to

deliver services online, the main contribution has been to provide communities with

online possibilities. VICNET provides public access, skills training and environments

where virtual communities can establish themselves. VICNET began in 1994 and has

grown to become a well regarded member of the Internet industry. It is owned by the

state library of Victoria, and functions as a unit of the state library. VICNET has

worked hard to ensure that the public library network in Victoria is able to provide

Internet access to the public. 

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