Not only does the Internet exhibit unusual network economics, but it also has drawn attention to the social aspects of participation in networked communities, says James Keller. The Internet has a culture of sharing that is unusual in the private sector, but this is being challenged as increased congestion sometimes prevents access to servers supporting free information resources. The dominant view of the people on the Net as information seekers and processors is sensible and productive. However, it is also incomplete and misleading in some important ways. An estimated 40 million people worldwide use BBSs, a number only recently reached by the Internet.
Local BBSs can rebuild communities and create a new sense of purposeful belonging.
However, public data networks raise serious issues of tribal sovereignty and self-determination online. There is an overwhelming presence of non-Natives in the newsgroups and listservs of the Internet that were originally created to serve Indian interests. Public libraries are already regarded as significant and trustworthy information resources in their communities. However, public libraries also face barriers in taking on the role of providing public access to the Internet, due to lack of user-friendliness in Internet interfaces, declining sources of funding, the high cost of Internet access, and the time and expenditure required for staff training and support. Other serious issues include controlling access by minors to inappropriate material.