Public institutions are important on-ramps to the information superhighway. But public institutions often confront budget realities that threaten to keep them on the shoulder. For example, only two of Massachusetts' 374 public libraries, in Cambridge and Walpole, offer the public direct access to the Internet. It goes directly to our universal service goals and our desire to avoid creating a society of information haves and have nots. We believe that all Americans, not only those who own computers or who live in affluent areas, must have access to the advanced information technologies and services.
Public institutions can serve as their access points.
The program has generated tremendous interest. Key elements include collaboration at the local and state levels, improvement of social services through technology, and inclusion of diverse segments of society. In addition, the projects will serve as catalysts for further developing the NII by providing models for communities throughout the country to follow. Public institutions have a central role to play in bringing the benefits of the technologies to all Americans, rich and poor, urban and rural. This program will do more than merely provide connections to networks, communications systems, computers, and data bases.