World Wide Web Community Networks and the Voluntary Sector
| Pages | 183-190 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb045637 |
| Date | 01 March 1998 |
| Published date | 01 March 1998 |
| Author | Emma Hallam,I.R. Murray |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
World Wide Web Community
Networks and the Voluntary
Sector
Emma Hallam and I. R. Murray
Department of Information & Library Studies, Loughborough University, Loughborough,
Leicestershire, LE11 3TU
Correspondence: Ian R Murray, tel: (01509) 223068; fax: (01509) 223053;
email:
i.r.murray@lboro.ac.uk
Abstract:
Voluntary sector information, presents particular challenges to information providers, in terms of
networking across a diverse body of organisations. Opportunities offered by WWW community networks
include information sharing through online databases, more efficiently up-dated than printed sources, and
electronic networking, potentially easing communication between organisations and between sectors. This
paper presents the results of. both quantitative and qualitative surveys of the local voluntary sector in the
Borough of Charnwood Forest,
Leicestershire.
The IT capabilities and information needs were measured and
examined.
The opinions of local practitioners in voluntary sector information were also sought. A range of
dif-
ferent levels of IT skills and facilities was found amongst local voluntary sector organisations, and a reticence
amongst some organisations to get involved in recent IT developments was also detected. Facilitation, in the
form of training, IT support and facilities, was therefore identified as important to effective voluntary sector
information provision. It was recommended that research should be carried out with regard to local informa-
tion needs, and that an editorial board be established.
1. Introduction
There is an increasing recognition that the Internet
is ushering in a revolution of some
kind,
even if it has
not received universal endorsement and access to it
is not as yet so widespread as to be easily accessi-
ble to every
citizen.
It
is,
however, evident that utilis-
ing the World Wide Web (WWW) for commerce, dis-
cussion and debate, teaching and learning, (for
example, the promotion of a National Grid for
Learning by the United Kingdom Government), are
no longer fringe activities. Indeed, it is the UK
Government's view that:
We stand on the threshold of a revolution as
profound as that brought about by the printing
press.
(The Labour Party, 1997)
There is a
concern,
however, that some sectors may
not be able to take full advantage of the Internet
because they lack sufficient financial resources for
those organisations who are reliant on public
fund-
ing for performing important social functions. Quite
often organisations such as the voluntary sector lack
the relevant equipment, and the skills to exploit to
the full the benefits of new technologies:
[voluntary sector organisations are] often small,
dynamic,
fluid,
little-resourced and dependent on
scraping together what they
can
to keep
themselves going" (Community Development
Foundation, 1992, p.3)
This paper discusses the issues facing the manage-
ment of voluntary sector information, and contends
that the exploitation of Internet technology could
have significant networking advantages, offering
unprecedented opportunities for information sharing
between organisations and even between sectors. It
will be argued that more efficient information
man-
agement, resulting from increased information shar-
ing opportunities, and a greater volume of cross-sec-
tor communication could raise the profile of the
vol-
untary sector as a
whole.
To achieve this there is a
need for the support of a management structure and
realistic operative strategy, which would include
find-
ing the means to equip those groups and individuals
unable to afford technological facilities.
In this study we have used analysis of survey
find-
ings into voluntary organisations' information and
communication activities and capabilities; and
sought views expressed by those involved in volun-
tary sector information management and provision.
ARTICLE
The Electronic Library, Vol. 16, No. 3, June 1998 183
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