Based on community informatics theory,this paper focuses on the big question of community informatics and the specific research question here is to find the social origins and development of the information revolution...Based on community informatics theory,this paper focuses on the big question of community informatics and the specific research question here is to find the social origins and development of the information revolution in the local community.Through investigating the uses of IT in local institutions in Illinois,this study portrays the basic social footprint of the information revolution.There are four main areas to report on:firstly,the internet speed tests reveal continuing digital divides;secondly,despite that,IT use is generally well developed,but differences persist between the IT leaders and the organization leaders;thirdly,surprising local IT origin stories can be drawn from the participants in any given town;and finally,particular networks appear to be resources for these local leaders.Our findings point to the main components of how a community has been able to cross the digital divide:Cyberorganizers,local organizations that are a base for early adoption of digital technology and the Internet,and computer literacy based on how local leaders use digital technology.展开更多
Purpose:The purpose of this research is to investigate Chinese rural women’s information needs and information seeking behavior,with an emphasis on exploration of the intervening variables that influence information ...Purpose:The purpose of this research is to investigate Chinese rural women’s information needs and information seeking behavior,with an emphasis on exploration of the intervening variables that influence information needs and information seeking behavior.Design/methodology/approach:The sample consisted of 27 women from 9 villages in Gansu Province,Anhui Province and Tianjin City,China.Data were collected through in-depth individual interview.Both quantitative and qualitative methods were employed to analyze the data.Findings:Chinese rural women’s needs are basically tied to agricultural technologies,employment and health information.Social network,rather than the Internet,serves as the most frequently used information channel.Women’s cognitive ability,social role and their living environment are the 3 intervening variables that have an impact on their information needs and their information seeking behavior.Research limitations:This qualitative research is based on a small sample and conducted on specific socio-economic settings in China,which may restrict the generalization and application of relevant findings in other settings and countries.Practical implications:The study results will help librarians and information professionals better understand Chinese rural women’s information needs and information seeking behavior in an effort to find ways to solve problems they may encounter in their information seeking process.Originality/value:This paper introduced an analysis framework that provides an integrated perspective on understanding information needs and information seeking behavior of Chinese women in rural areas.展开更多
Purpose:The research aims to investigate the capabilities of the Chinese independent libraries in providing service based on information and communications technologies(ICTs).Design/methodology/approach:Questionnaires...Purpose:The research aims to investigate the capabilities of the Chinese independent libraries in providing service based on information and communications technologies(ICTs).Design/methodology/approach:Questionnaires were distributed to 140 Chinese independent libraries all over China.Data analysis was based on 114 valid questionnaires retrieved.Findings:The Chinese independent libraries’ directors had a low level of competency in the use of computers.Among them,the old people are faced with more difficulties in computer use than the young people.About 55%of independent libraries own computers,but only43%of them offer Internet connections.Most libraries pay less than 1,000 Yuan annually for the Internet access and the Internet access fee accounts for about 5%of library directors’ annual household income on average.With a limited number of computers,it is challenging for independent libraries to provide electronic reading service.However,to their users,they are playing the same important role as public libraries in ICT-based community service.Research limitations:Independent libraries that do not have an Internet website may not be included in our sample.In addition,missing responses and some inaccurate data in annual household income may affect our analysis result.Practical implications:Governments or non-government organizations should pay more attention to independent libraries’ informatization development and provide computer training for librarians,because independent libraries are playing an important role in community information communication.Originality/value:As there is so little related research published,the data collected in this survey provides a valuable snapshot of the Chinese independent libraries’ situation in providing ICT-based service.展开更多
Purpose： This paper focuses on the impact of social capital on urban children＇s use behavior of information communication technology （ICT）.Design/methodology/approach： Using the field survey and in-depth intervie...Purpose： This paper focuses on the impact of social capital on urban children＇s use behavior of information communication technology （ICT）.Design/methodology/approach： Using the field survey and in-depth interviews, we interviewed 40 children aged 6 to 12 and their parents from a staff residential quarter of the Zhengzhou University--＂Shengheyuan＂ community （SHY）, and a commercial residential quarter--＂Wanfenghuicheng＂ community （WFHC） in the high-tech zone of Zhengzhou City, Henan Province. We used the social capital theory to analyze the interviewees＇ record.Findings： In urban communities, social capital is the most important factor for children （aged 6 to 12） in their ICT use. Our findings indicate that children in families with higher levels of social capital, such as internal resources, family income, parent educational backgrounds and parents＇ social network, have more-highly developed ICT skills. Personal motivation and obstacles, such as lack of access to computers on a regular basis, also have an impact on children＇s ICT use. External social capital, including schools, libraries, and public service institutes, have little impact on children＇s ICT use, if not combined with internal social capital factors.Research limitations： Our research samples were collected from two communities within the same city, which may influence the generalization of this research result.Originality/value： To explore the social capital＇s influence on children＇s ICT use, we used field observation for ICT use of children aged 6 to 12 in urban communities in China, and studied the children＇s ICT behavior from the perspective of internal and external social capital.展开更多
文摘Based on community informatics theory,this paper focuses on the big question of community informatics and the specific research question here is to find the social origins and development of the information revolution in the local community.Through investigating the uses of IT in local institutions in Illinois,this study portrays the basic social footprint of the information revolution.There are four main areas to report on:firstly,the internet speed tests reveal continuing digital divides;secondly,despite that,IT use is generally well developed,but differences persist between the IT leaders and the organization leaders;thirdly,surprising local IT origin stories can be drawn from the participants in any given town;and finally,particular networks appear to be resources for these local leaders.Our findings point to the main components of how a community has been able to cross the digital divide:Cyberorganizers,local organizations that are a base for early adoption of digital technology and the Internet,and computer literacy based on how local leaders use digital technology.
基金supported by the National Social Science Foundation of China(Grant No.:11CTQ009)
文摘Purpose:The purpose of this research is to investigate Chinese rural women’s information needs and information seeking behavior,with an emphasis on exploration of the intervening variables that influence information needs and information seeking behavior.Design/methodology/approach:The sample consisted of 27 women from 9 villages in Gansu Province,Anhui Province and Tianjin City,China.Data were collected through in-depth individual interview.Both quantitative and qualitative methods were employed to analyze the data.Findings:Chinese rural women’s needs are basically tied to agricultural technologies,employment and health information.Social network,rather than the Internet,serves as the most frequently used information channel.Women’s cognitive ability,social role and their living environment are the 3 intervening variables that have an impact on their information needs and their information seeking behavior.Research limitations:This qualitative research is based on a small sample and conducted on specific socio-economic settings in China,which may restrict the generalization and application of relevant findings in other settings and countries.Practical implications:The study results will help librarians and information professionals better understand Chinese rural women’s information needs and information seeking behavior in an effort to find ways to solve problems they may encounter in their information seeking process.Originality/value:This paper introduced an analysis framework that provides an integrated perspective on understanding information needs and information seeking behavior of Chinese women in rural areas.
基金supported by the National Social Science Foundation of China(Grant No.:13CTQ005)
文摘Purpose:The research aims to investigate the capabilities of the Chinese independent libraries in providing service based on information and communications technologies(ICTs).Design/methodology/approach:Questionnaires were distributed to 140 Chinese independent libraries all over China.Data analysis was based on 114 valid questionnaires retrieved.Findings:The Chinese independent libraries’ directors had a low level of competency in the use of computers.Among them,the old people are faced with more difficulties in computer use than the young people.About 55%of independent libraries own computers,but only43%of them offer Internet connections.Most libraries pay less than 1,000 Yuan annually for the Internet access and the Internet access fee accounts for about 5%of library directors’ annual household income on average.With a limited number of computers,it is challenging for independent libraries to provide electronic reading service.However,to their users,they are playing the same important role as public libraries in ICT-based community service.Research limitations:Independent libraries that do not have an Internet website may not be included in our sample.In addition,missing responses and some inaccurate data in annual household income may affect our analysis result.Practical implications:Governments or non-government organizations should pay more attention to independent libraries’ informatization development and provide computer training for librarians,because independent libraries are playing an important role in community information communication.Originality/value:As there is so little related research published,the data collected in this survey provides a valuable snapshot of the Chinese independent libraries’ situation in providing ICT-based service.
文摘Purpose： This paper focuses on the impact of social capital on urban children＇s use behavior of information communication technology （ICT）.Design/methodology/approach： Using the field survey and in-depth interviews, we interviewed 40 children aged 6 to 12 and their parents from a staff residential quarter of the Zhengzhou University--＂Shengheyuan＂ community （SHY）, and a commercial residential quarter--＂Wanfenghuicheng＂ community （WFHC） in the high-tech zone of Zhengzhou City, Henan Province. We used the social capital theory to analyze the interviewees＇ record.Findings： In urban communities, social capital is the most important factor for children （aged 6 to 12） in their ICT use. Our findings indicate that children in families with higher levels of social capital, such as internal resources, family income, parent educational backgrounds and parents＇ social network, have more-highly developed ICT skills. Personal motivation and obstacles, such as lack of access to computers on a regular basis, also have an impact on children＇s ICT use. External social capital, including schools, libraries, and public service institutes, have little impact on children＇s ICT use, if not combined with internal social capital factors.Research limitations： Our research samples were collected from two communities within the same city, which may influence the generalization of this research result.Originality/value： To explore the social capital＇s influence on children＇s ICT use, we used field observation for ICT use of children aged 6 to 12 in urban communities in China, and studied the children＇s ICT behavior from the perspective of internal and external social capital.
