Videoconferencing Survey Results
According to the results of a recent survey of nearly 200 videoconferencing-equipped public libraries across the country, libraries that participate in a videoconferencing consortium are more frequent users of the technology than those not involved in an ongoing collaborative arrangement. Forty-four percent of consortium members use their videoconferencing equipment more than 20 times a year, vs. just nine percent of unaligned users.
The survey was conducted by California's Project Videonet, an initiative to build a framework for cooperation among the state's 40-plus public libraries equipped with interactive videoconferencing.
Other major findings include:
ISDN remains the major telecommunications technology for public library videoconferencing almost exclusively so in California. However, another type of platform known as IP (for "Internet protocol") is coming on strong in other states, due to flat-rate pricing and/or improved reliability. Outside California, nearly half of equipped libraries are using an IP platform, either the Internet or a proprietary network.
Across all states, the two most common public library videoconferencing applications are staff training and administrative meetings. However, frequency of use is much higher among libraries outside California, with 41% using it more than 20 times a year, vs. only 8% in California.
California libraries cited the top three barriers to use as (1) lack of time/interest on the part of library staff, (2) telecommunications expenses and/or or technical difficulties, and (3) room scheduling conflicts.
Although about two-thirds of U.S. public libraries make their equipment available to community groups and businesses, only 14% do any marketing. Consequently, frequency of use by outside groups is generally low.
Among California libraries, the top three videoconferencing needs are (1) more programming, (2) lower telecommunications costs, and (3) availability of more technical assistance (including troubleshooting for chronic problems, mini-guides, and training).
The full survey report is available at http://infopeople.org/partners/vidnet/exec_summary.html.
Project Videonet is supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. To subscribe to the Project Videonet listserv, please see: http://lists.infopeople.dreamhost.com/listinfo.cgi/videonet-infopeople.dreamhost.com.
For more information, please contact Dan Theobald, Project Videonet Manager, at 415-431-0329 or dtheobald@i2icom.com.