Internet Issues

This week the American Library Association held its annual meeting here in New York. One of the many issues raised was libraries bringing equity to the Internet by providing free Internet access to under-served communities. For example, according to the latest Emerge magazine, only 12% of African American households own computers, compard with 30% of white households. And of African Americans with computers, more than half are without modems, the device that allows infomration to pass over telephone lines and link up witht he Internet. Today we’ll talk about access to the net, but then once you’re hooked, how you can protect your privacy. Joining us from Chicago is Molly Calender of the American Library Association, Janlaurie Goldman of the Center for Democracy and Technology.