The introduction of the Internet has seen a change in the way information is being collected and shared. Community networks and free-nets have introduced the idea of collecting community information on a computer and linking this computer to the Internet. VICNET is called a "community network" because it responds to the direction of the community in which it is based. VICNET is very important because it is the first of a new model for the way that information in Australia, will be delivered in the future.

This study looked at whether it was possible to establish a profile of the VICNET market via an on-line form. As found in the literature, the Internet is a male dominated medium and related to this is the finding that more males than females use VICNET or alternatively they are more likely to fill in a survey of this kind. The age of users on VICNET is comparable to the findings of other Internet surveys. Like the users of the Internet, VICNET users are highly educated. It was found that not many VICNET users are students. VICNET users are more likely to have a relationship than some of their overseas counterparts.

Unlike some Internet surveys, the VICNET research identified a highly diversified occupational profile. Like the users of the Internet, the majority of VICNET users do not suffer a disability. It was found that users of VICNET were only comfortable to fill in the on-line survey if they were geographically located in the country. A small portion of regional Victorians use VICNET.

It was found that as the majority of VICNET users get Internet access via home, they also own a computer. It can be concluded that users of VICNET enjoy using VICNET as they return weekly to use it. When on VICNET users tend to spend half an hour on the web site. It was found that the most effective method of finding VICNET web site is via a link from another site. Once there VICNET users tend to browse rather than seek information.

In conclusion, it would be beneficial to actively seek out samples of users who are not inclined to complete an on-line survey. This way other VICNET users could be surveyed by the traditional survey method or by focus groups and a more representative sample of the VICNET audience obtained. This could be completed by performing further long-term studies both in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria to determine the information needs of VICNET users. Focus groups would be more likely to elicit new ideas through discussion of topics relevant to VICNET.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 2 COMMUNITY NETWORKS AND VICNET: A LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Brief history of the Internet and Community Networks
2.3 The Internet in Australia
2.4 Background to and research of other community networks, free-nets and civic-nets
2.4.1 Community Networks
2.5 Community Networks and Libraries
2.6 Demographic description of Melbourne
2.7 Victoria's Network: VICNET
2.8 Conclusion

CHAPTER 3 MARKETING OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES: A LITERATURE REVIEW
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Attitudes towards users
3.3 The value of information
3.4 Marketing plans
3.5 The Internet in libraries
3.6 Staff motivation
3.7 Information rich and information poor
3.8 Determining a market using on-line surveys
3.9 Conclusion

CHAPTER 4 METHODOLOGY
4.1 Identification and justification of research methodology
4.2 Procedures for data collection and data analysis
4.2.1 Problems with questionnaire design
4.3 Selection of the sample
4.4 Data collection procedures
4.4.1 Radio buttons
4.4.2 Check boxes
4.4.3 Text format
4.4.4. Pull down menus
4.4.5 Submitting data
4.5 Response rate
4.6 Data organisation and analysis
4.7 Conclusion

CHAPTER 5 RESULTS 5.1 Introduction
5.2 Rate of response to questionnaire
5.3 Demographics of VICNET users
5.3.1 Sex of users
5.3.2 Age of users
5.3.3 Education level of users
5.3.4 VICNET users who were studying
5.3.5 Relationship status of users
5.3.6 Parental status of users
5.3.7 Employment status of users
5.3.8 Disabilities amongst users
5.3.9 Country of connection
5.3.10 Location of connection in Australia
5.4 Respondents' technical specifications
5.4.1 Interface used by respondents
5.4.2 Main source of user Internet access
5.4.3 Personal computer ownership
5.4.4 Modem ownership
5.5 Respondents' personal interests
5.6 Users' experiences of VICNET
5.6.1 Amount of time spent on VICNET
5.6.2 Ways respondents found VICNET
5.6.3 Three areas most visited on VICNET by users
5.7 Reasons for visiting VICNET
5.8 Users' opinions of VICNET
5.8.1 Users' likes
5.8.2 Users' dislikes
5.8.3 Missing from VICNET
5.8.4 Difficulties experienced by users
5.8.5 Suggested improvements
5.8.6 General comments made by VICNET users
5.9 Conclusion

CHAPTER 6 CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
6.1 Introduction
6.2 VICNET Users
6.2 Regional and International VICNET users
6.3 VICNET Content
6.4 Why, when and how people are using VICNET
6.5 What people think of VICNET
6.5.1 Negative Points
6.5.2 Positive Comments
6.6 Future marketing actions
6.7 Suggestions for further research

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Personal Email Messages

APPENDICES
Appendix A On-line Survey
Appendix B1 Example of Raw Data in Email Format
Appendix B2 CGI Scripted Results in Email Format
Appendix C Areas Studied
Appendix D Users' Likes about VICNET
Appendix E Users' Dislikes about VICNET
Appendix F What Users Thought was Missing from VICNET
Appendix G Difficulties Users had with VICNET
Appendix H Improvements to VICNET

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. The home page for Cedarnet
Figure 2. Sex of users
Figure 3. Age groups
Figure 4. Education Level
Figure 5. Student status
Figure 6. Relationship status
Figure 7. Parental status
Figure 8. Number of children for each parent
Figure 9. Employment or student status
Figure 10. Number of respondents who are disabled
Figure 11. Country from which respondents connected
Figure 12. Interface used by respondents
Figure 13. Internet Access
Figure 14. Ownership of personal computers
Figure 15. Modem ownership amongst respondents
Figure 16. Speeds of modem
Figure 17. Frequency of visits to VICNET
Figure 18. Three areas most used on VICNET: Survey One
Figure 19. Three areas most used on VICNET: Survey Two
Figure 20. Three areas most used on VICNET: Survey Three
Figure 21.Three areas most used on VICNET: Survey Four

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Content provision and research in other community networks
Table 2. Number of responses to each survey
Table 3. Respondents' occupations
Table 4. Respondents location in Australia
Table 5. Respondents' personal interest areas divided into broad subjects
Table 6. Frequency of time spent on VICNET
Table 7. Subject areas specifically searched for by respondents
Table 8. The ways respondents found VICNET
Table 9. Information found