新作坊

World Wide Web community networks and the voluntary sector

摘要：

Voluntary sector information presents particular challenges to information providers, in terms of networking across a diverse body of organizations. Opportunities offered by World Wide Web (WWW) community networks include information sharing through online databases and electronic networking, potentially easing communication between organizations and between sectors. Reports results of qualitative and quantitative surveys of the local voluntary sector in the Borough of Charnwood Forest, Leicestershire, UK, where the information technology (IT) capabilities and information needs were measured and examined and the opinions of local practitioners sought. A range of different levels of IT skills was found amongst local voluntary sector organizations and a reticence among some organizations to get involved in recent IT developments was detected. Facilitation, in the form of training, IT support and facilities was identified as important to effective voluntary sector information provision. Recommends that research be conducted with regard to local information needs and that an editorial board should be established. (The author may be contacted by electronic mail at [mailto:i.r.murray@lboro.ac.uk]).