Available material can include local, state, and federal government documents and services, business and consumer information, medical and legal information, access to libraries' collections and services, public school and higher education curriculum material, calendars, and course listings, directories of social services. Each community can provide information services tailored to reflect the unique needs of its citizens. COIN, Columbia Online Information Network, is one of the largest in the state. The world economy is rapidly becoming an information-based economy, and all citizens, regardless of social, economic, or educational status, must be able to participate successfully in this information age. Community Information Systems are one way to provide online access to a community.
Electronic information lives on computers and computers are literally everywhere.
A community information system coordinates and organizes public access to computer-based information for all citizens. Information can come from Australia, Europe, Africa, Maine, California or your neighbor. It takes a computer to talk to another computer. Consequently, people need a computer of terminal with a modem to link to this service. This puts the power in each individual's hands to decide what and how much information is needed.