Often, volunteers run a community information network with the help of a few staff specialists. If the community information network is affiliated with another organization such as a library or government agency, paid staff may be supported through the organization. If the network is organized as a separate entity, then it will have its own staff. Volunteers generally are the key to a successful network and perform a variety of tasks such as user registration, training, technical advising and troubleshooting, and administrative support. User services vary widely among networks.
Common services provided include the following.
Community information networks usually provide services to information providers, the agencies and organizations that provide information for the public. Networks will often convert information into the correct electronic form or provide those tools to the information provider. Local discussion groups are also important for creating links between the local community groups and individuals. Users generally receive a personal e-mail address and a limited amount of disk space to store mail and files. Beyond these services, it depends on the resources of the community.