Libraries cast a wide net access

By MICHAEL FOREMAN

Auckland City Libraries has rolled out its Seek public internet access service based on 130 terminals throughout its 16 community branches.

Library users can access the library's own website and many other internal resources for free, or pay $2 for 15 minutes of unrestricted access to the internet.

Free resources include the library catalogue, Iwidex - a tribal index for Maori - and Citydex, which contains details of Auckland clubs and societies.

About 700 reference websites will also be available at no charge, and a number of CD-Roms will be accessible from Seek terminals.

Libraries manager Barbara Birkbeck said the charges for internet surfing and e-mail use were designed to be on a par with internet cafes rather than undercutting them.

But she believed that the library would attract a broader cross-section of people than cyber-cafes.

"We feel very strongly that easy access to information is an added value [service] that libraries can give to the community."

Ms Birkbeck said a public internet service had been offered for several years at the central city library but the variety of choices available through the single Seek channel was unique in New Zealand.

Library staff would be on hand to provide first-level information and training at all times, but users would be encouraged to use the internet on their own.

"It's not meant to be a huge one-on-one exercise."

Ms Birkbeck said no attempt had been made to censor the internet service or restrict access to some sites.

"We are confident that people will act responsibly, though staff keep a bit of an eye on what's going on."

The Seek project was developed over six months in conjunction with Auckland companies Datacom Systems and Copy and Monitoring Systems.

Ms Birkbeck said future projects included a home-delivery system for books ordered over the net.