New studies by the American Library Association (ALA) and the Public Library Association (PLA) find that America's public libraries are serving more people online, including students. But as more patrons demand access to internet resources, libraries are struggling to keep up with this demand--and they say they need more funding, infrastructure, and staff.

One study, "Libraries Connect Communities: Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study 2007-2008," conducted by the ALA and the Information Use Management and Policy Institute at Florida State University with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, found that 73 percent of all libraries (and 83 percent of rural libraries) are the only source of free public access to computers and the internet in their communities.

This access has become even more important as families across the country struggle economically, the report says. As a result, many libraries have begun reporting double-digit growth in computer usage in 2008.

A key finding of the study is that more and more students are using public libraries for online homework help and other key assistance.

A recent poll conducted for the ALA by Harris Interactive, which surveyed 1,262 youths between the ages of eight and 18 on their library use, found that 31 percent visit the public library more than 10 times a year.

According to the "Libraries Connect Communities" study, public libraries reported increases in providing audio books and podcasts (available in 71 percent of U.S. public libraries); digital reference via eMail, instant messaging, and chat (62.5 percent); eBooks (52 percent); video (49 percent); and online instructional courses (43 percent).

Libraries have increased their connection speeds to allow for more internet services, yet more than half of libraries say their access speed is inadequate to meet community demands.

As one librarian stated, "Our IT department looked at our bandwidth (1.5 Mbps) and found that at 2 p.m., it was slower than dial-up, we had so many people using it."

Applications such as multimedia and distance education, combined with near-constant online use and shared wireless and desktop connections, strain available bandwidth in public libraries--which has important implications for education. For instance, the Delaware Country Library System in Pennsylvania delayed offering an online tutoring service for students until its 1.5 Mbps connection was upgraded to fiber optics earlier this year.

Another challenge libraries face is flat local funding. In response, many libraries have shifted to "soft" funding sources--fees or fines, donations, and grants--as a way to support public computing services.

The report found that staffing levels--both for staff who provide training and other direct patron services, as well as for staff who maintain IT infrastructure--are not keeping pace with patron demand. Libraries cite the need for greater staff expertise and availability as a barrier to supporting and managing access to technology.