Cyber-communities and Information Access

摘要

The combination of municipal and commercial computer networks in some large metropolitan areas, has led to the creation of community information networks, and in rural and developing areas, telecentres have emerged. These community information networks are often built around existing social networks, involved in neighborhood activities (employment/economic opportunity centers, youth/ family centers, health, education and affordable housing initiatives). The ensuing online discourse is then related to issues and events of the physical community of which it is part of. The library, and its established social network within established places, can be an effective facilitator to the construction and maintenance of cyber communities. The library provides the physical space and existing social networks from which virtual communities can be developed. This paper will present how this concept of cyber communities builds upon local communication infrastructure and indigenous knowledge in various countries. For example, African library-based cyber communities are usually part of local economic and cultural development programs. Local libraries could use cyber-communities to provide information access in areas that are deficient in print materials, educational media, and in transport infrastructure. African facilitated cyber-communities would help to strengthen local social and cultural traditions like indigenous language literacy and customs and help to build community identity, as is the practice in South Africa.