The State Library and Archives of Florida (http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us) awarded a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant to Pasco County Public Library Cooperative (Pasco County, Florida, http://pascolibraries.org) to address user needs related to computer skills, Internet use, and access to E–Government resources as part of the cooperative’s E–Government Initiative program. The library cooperative will conduct training sessions in each of the branches of the library system that cover a variety of topics, such as:

• Basic computer use skills;
• Internet use (i.e., establish e-mail accounts, web navigation, and improving basic Internet skills); and
• Instruction in the use of E–Government services and resources.

In addition, the library cooperative will collect data on the types and kinds of reference questions library patrons ask related to E–Government services and resources the library is developing as part of the grant (http://pascolibraries.org/researchlinks.shtml). The grant begins March 2008 and ends September 2008.

The Information Institute will work with Pasco County Library Cooperative to develop data collection instruments and provide data analysis services for the training sessions and the identification of user questions related to E–Government services and resources. The Information Institute will also develop a post-training session survey to assess the degree of improvement in patron abilities that result from the training sessions. Analysis of survey results will provide insights on the success of the training program while identifying ways to improve the content and structure of the sessions to better meet patron needs.

Institute Director, Charles R. McClure noted that while the project, itself, is an important one for improved access to E–Government resources, it can also provide a model for how other Florida libraries might work together for overall improved statewide access to local, state, and federal E–Government information and resources.

The final report from the Information Institute will include data analysis of data collection efforts by the library and recommendations to improve training session content and structure and better prepare library staff for the types of questions patrons ask related to E–Government services and resources. Pasco County Public Library Cooperative will receive the final report from the Information Institute by August 10, 2008.