Instructors need the Internet to keep up in their fields, bringing the latest material to the classroom. Lifelong learning is essential to remaining competitive in the new economy. In many communities, the public library is the only place the disadvantaged can access the Internet. So many jobs are now posted electronically that access to the Internet can be critical to finding an opening. By putting more services on the Internet, such as book renewals, people can avoid a trip to the library.
All schools post key information on their websites, and some allow online transactions.
A recent survey revealed that in at least one school district almost every parent has access to a computer at home or at work. All libraries in the Santa Clarita Valley have at least one public access Internet workstation provided at no charge to the customers and a reference desk workstation where staff can connect to a variety of online resources. Library staff is also trained to offer orientation to customers who are unfamiliar with the use of Internet browsers and search engines. Customers are able to access the library catalog at terminals in all libraries, on the website, and through a dial-up connection. In addition, all 84 of the County's libraries are linked through an automated circulation system which streamlines the process of circulating materials and allows the reference staff to request materials available in any library for their customers.