Web-based community networks: A study of information organization and access

This paper reports a subset of the results a research project designed to a ssess the current state of state-funded community networking in Indiana. It explores the organization of information resources and services provided b y 24 web-based community networks, examines the core design principles that have been most useful in the development of these community network (CN) s ites and assesses the strategies currently used to provide access to these information resources and services. Using a variety of methods, including content analysis of web sites, interv iews with CN board members, technical staff, and users, and site visits, th e study examined the 24 state-funded CNs and attempted to answer a set of r esearch questions, a subset of which will be reported here. The study found that the CN sites have useful and usable technical infrastructures in plac e but are lacking the deep and meaningful local content and services that w ill allow them to become important nodes in their communities' digital info rmation environments.