INTERNETWORKING AN URBAN-COMMUNITY - A LONGITUDINAL-STUDY OF APPROACHES TO INTRODUCING ADULT NEW USERS TO ELECTRONIC INFORMATION RESOURCES

Using four test groups, the study compared the efficacy of different a pproaches to introducing urban adults, including librarians in public libraries, to Internet resources. Models tested included two training period lengths (cursory and in-depth) and two computer interfaces (tex t-based and graphical) to Internet resources. Two post-test assessment s were administered to determine effects of approaches tested on parti cipant skills and attitudes. Findings suggest that the interface used does not significantly affect the users' ability to find information o n the Internet. However, longer training did produce better searching, at least initially. User confidence in using a range of tools varied for each resource. Followup assessment indicated that differences in u ser attitudes among the groups decreased over time.