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.