Information Services, Communications, the Internet and Libraries

By Bob Moss

The Internet and advanced communications are considered one of the major advances in technology and society. The actual and potential improvements in communications, developing community, and improving government effectiveness and efficiency have been discussed extensively by many experts. It is clear that in a few years society and communities will be divided in haves and have nots in information technology. We had better act quickly and decisively to make high speed communications part of our normal operations or we will be at a serious disadvantage. If we do not act soon to interconnect everyone to high speed communications facilities we may become as noncompetitive as cities in the West that were bypassed by the Transcontinental railroad in the 19th century, or by the Interstate Highway system in the 20th century. In 1994 Palo Alto was the first city to have it's own web site and presence on the Internet. Now many others have caught and passed us. Commerce and shopping is moving rapidly to the Internet, with huge future impacts likely on the economy and the tax base.

The Palo Alto fiber loop which was installed at a cost of $2 million is underutilized, while tantalizing residents with the unfulfilled promise of high speed communications. Palo Alto is an international hub for Internet data accretion and distribution. Businesses have a number of choices for high speed Internet connections while residential users have few. Connections for the general public via high speed local connections are limited to and within nearby communities such as East Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Menlo Park. There are opportunities for better communications between government and the public, and among members of the public if high speed data services are made available. Better and more efficient delivery of public services can be offered.

C.1 Extend the period to recover the cost of the fiber loop from 2 years or less to 5 or 7 years, and reduce lease costs on the loop accordingly. Allow more than 69 people to participate in the trial to spread capital costs over a larger user base. C.2 Offer to lease use of fiber capacity at lower rates in exchange for offsetting public benefits such as rapid deployment of fiber to homes or to groups of homes, taking over maintenance and operation of the fiber, provision of service to lower income or otherwise unserved areas, providing service to non-profits or public agencies, etc.

C.3 Work with service providers and communications organizations to assure that commercial, industrial, and residential users have reliable access to high speed Interconnections. Extend the scope of service beyond Palo Alto, to allow serving users in Mountain View, East Palo Alto, and Menlo Park. Use communications services outside Palo Alto as a means to extend regular utility services outside also.

C.4 Consider whether Palo Alto should help directly to provide (or facilitate) a high speed data network available to all in the area. Review costs, benefits, and income potential from such a municipal utility.

C.5 Use the availability of the PAIX facility, dozens of ISPs, and the fiber loop to induce Internet-related organizations to locate in the area. Provide enough high speed data capacity to satisfy any potential users. Build on existing assets to make Palo Alto an International hub for Internet commerce and data exchange. Leverage the existing assets to increase the desirability of Palo Alto as the home for advanced communications technology and services.

C.6 Use the Internet to keep the public informed about city and community activities, and invite comments and suggestions on matters of public interest. Try to have everyone interconnected so that it is simple and easy to be informed about and involved in community affairs. Solicit participation in matters of public policy via the Internet. Respond via the Internet. Use the Internet to reserve or order library materials, register for classes, file and process building plans, search past Council and Commission minutes and hearings for discussions or for the history of passage of laws, etc.

4. Libraries and Data Services

Palo Alto has a well developed branch library system and a very high level of library use, one of the highest per capita in California. Some modifications and upgrading are needed to modernize libraries and to provide more and wider access to library and reference materials. Multiple use facilities such as the proposed joint city-school district library at Gunn need to be reviewed and evaluated promptly. Adapting the traditional library system to new technology and new ways of using libraries presents interesting challenges and opportunities.

D.1 Make sure that the new Library Commission is given a broad charter to evaluate all aspects of information storage, indexing, retrieval, and dissemination. Involve the entire community in designing and planning a library system for the future.

D.2 Move rapidly to create joint-use library operations wherever they are needed, including providing direct access from educational, commercial and industrial organizations to library resources. Work with organizations such as Stanford and PAUSD to provide facilities and reference resources to the entire community. Make study and evaluation of the proposed joiint library at Gunn an early priority for the new Library Commission.

D.3 Provide meeting rooms or informal gathering spaces in the libraries and other public places so that library users can meet and interact with friends and neighbors, and strengthen community ties and relationships. D.4 Use libraries as data suppliers and transmitters for small, start-up organizations. Provide high speed connections to Internet sites and to other city facilities. Offer facilities and connections for modest fees to home users and small start-ups. Staffing for these functions would be provided by specialists, not necessarily by librarians.

D.5 Support the present number and locations of all branch libraries, and see how they can be improved. Should a particular library provide in-depth information and services on special topics or should they be generalists with no specialties? Children's Library is an example of a successful facility with a relatively narrowly targeted user group. Other types of specialization also are possible, for example business orientation for Downtown, foreign language collection and travel information and maps at Mitchell, etc. Obtain comments and suggestions from the broadest possible base of users and interested parties.