Identification of trends may be seen as a daunting task, considering that change in some communities, and in Internet technology itself, is occurring at a rapid pace. However, in every community there are people with some ideas and knowledge about the Internet and about how they might use it in their work or education. One strategy for pulling together the right people and creating synergy that will enable many small communities and their members to access the Internet is to develop an Internet consortium. In rural upstate New York, CE of Tioga County has developed an Internet telecommunication consortium of local businesses and a variety of other stakeholders. Community access is critical for promoting the technology and improving proficiency of local community members in its use.
Access is commonly possible through a local community building or library.
The mixing of novice and experienced Internet users may bolster use of computers by skeptical new users. An Internet consortium might be able to bring together a coffee shop owner with an Internet provider or computer firm. In the case of Tioga County, the regional library system began to work with individual town libraries and the Internet consortium members. Youth and adults can now access information via the Internet and the World Wide Web at their local library. Through the consortium in Tioga County, critical human resources and infrastructure were uncovered that stimulated development of the county Web page and growth of local Internet activity.