Building Community in the
New Millenium
Community Information Networks
A Penn State Cooperative Extension
and Outreach Initiative
Bill Shuffstall
Extension Agent
814-765-7878
email: shuffy@psu.edu
A New Age

“ Information Technology”

Driven and defined by digital tools

Human interaction with appliances more
natural

Info is a commodity
Impact Similar to Industrial Age

Geographic location & distance irrelevant

Benefit small business & individuals more
than big business

Emphasis on life-long learning
Typical Communities
Post-industrial economy
 Facing transition to “Information Age”
 Large corporations & universities high tech
 Small bus., local gov., schools, majority of
adults low tech
 Nation & State governments & national
economy well into transition

Implications for Communities

Threat - Digital Divide
 inner
cities
 rural communities

Opportunity
 develop
Community Information Network
 share benefits of digital appliances
Community Information
Networks Wagner and Kubicek
Are run by and for the local community,
are to serve a clearly defined geographic
region, are to address the needs of day-today life, are to represent the local culture
and strengthen the cohesion of the local
community, are provided at no or little cost
to the individual.
Community Information
Networks Association for Community Networks
Community networking occurs when
people get together to solve a problem or
respond to an opportunity. A community
network is a community owned and
operated information and communication
service that can amplify and support
community networking.
Benefits: Community

Residents/organizations make transition
 access
to tools & training

Efficient use of community resources

Increased access to education and training

Economic development

Others
Benefits: individuals & groups within a community

Individuals and families

Local and county officials

Community groups

Education administrators and teachers

Business

Media
Benefits:
Families and Individuals

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

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Increased opportunities to develop
self & family
Better education & jobs - adults & children
Broader range of:
- entertainment
- work
-education & training opportunities
Increased involvement in community
Opportunities to volunteer IT skills
Benefits: Education

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Provide education & prep for 21st Century jobs
Enhance teachers’ job & status
Enhance administrators’ role & status
Improve home - school communication
Build collaboration: other schools, colleges,
business, government
Increase ability to deliver workforce training &
continuing education
Reduce IT costs through sharing
Benefits: Not for Profits

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More effective internal & external communication
More effectively advertise mission & goals
Serve community by being volunteers teachers
Increase volunteer interest
Increase members & donors
Improved ability to fulfill service mission
Reduce IT costs through sharing
Benefits: Business

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Local, area, national global access & exposure
Improve local economy
Overcome geographic isolation
Improve access to government & industry
contracts
Reduce advertising costs
Basis for current & new businesses to address
future markets
Electronic fund transfers
Benefits: Local Government

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
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Improve communication with public
Expand hours of service
Increase public feedback
Reduce work
Achieve positive impact on budgets, jobs, local
economy
Accept payments electronically
Improved access to info from other governments
Reduce IT costs though sharing infrastructure
Benefits: Media
Gain access to new, powerful,
inexpensive media
 Be a player in the life of the
“Virtual Community”
 Ability to expand from local to
regional & beyond
 Daily presence in community

Most important:
network is a tool to
enhance communication
CIN Components
People
Information created by
people, network
facilitates info sharing
Info
Largely invisible, but
make communication
between people possible
Network
Infrastructure
Computers & info
services store content
for access by people
Services
Community Information
Network Initiative
Process that transitions
communities into the
“Information Age”
Potter County
16,000 pop
 5 Schools
 50% St.
Land
 Manu & Ag
 Adelphia

Potter County
Community Network

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3rd year of project
Task force
http://www.pottercountypa.net/
Tech Center in N Potter School (plans to open 2nd
in Austin School)
Volunteer Webmaster
Annual IT Summer School
Coudersport Boro going online – Co. Agencies
next
Training for individuals & organizations
Philosophy for Success

Focus on people not technology

All residents have opportunity to access &
learn to use tools of information age

Integrate learning into daily life

Maximize involvement
Minimize project cost
 Reflects the community

Elements of Successful CINs
Project champion(s)
 CIN Task Force
 Education on use not technology
 Show don’t tell
 Focus on community infrastructure
 Use library or community center
 ID and support local ISPs
 Community support through shared vision

Project Champion

Advocate importance and benefits of
information technology community leader
 librarian
 teacher
 other
Charismatic
 Knowledgeable
 Speak in plain, ordinary language

CIN Task Force

10 to 20 people who understand benefits &
importance
 administrators
 parents
 board
members
 business leaders
 community leaders

Willing to share tasks & responsibilities
to achieve goals
Education on Uses/Benefits for:
Individuals and families
 Government
 Civic organizations
 Media
 Education
 Business

Show, Don’t Just Tell
 Large-scale
demonstrations
 Small-group
hands-on training
 Tailored
presentations for civic
organizations
 Hands-on
training for key individuals
Community Tech Center

Place to use network (public building)
 Library
 School
 Community
college
Free public access
 High speed connection
 Computers/software
 Assistance

Focus on
Community Infrastructure

What is available
 Fiber
 Internet
service providers (ISPs)
 ISDN
 Cable
modem
 etc.
Start with what is there
 Plan for fastest infrastructure

Identify and Support Local
Internet Service Providers
Crucial to long term community economic
health
 Respond quickly to changing technologies
 Important to rural areas (competition &
service)
 Increases access options & methods

Community Support
Shared vision
 Key local players willing to cooperate on
community network

 local
government
 libraries
 schools & colleges
 Others?
- business
- media
- agencies
Making It Happen
“Never doubt that a small group
of thoughtful, committed citizens
can change the world. Indeed it is
the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead
Assistance

Community Information Network Initiative

CIN Rapid Response Team
Penn State Cooperative Extension and Outreach
814-765-7878
email: shuffy@psu.edu