APPENDIX A.1 - NETWORK PARTICIPANT LETTER

August 5, 1997

Dear Case Study Participants:

We have spent the last few weeks revising the initial cost worksheet based on your comments and suggestions. After in-depth discussions and e-mails with several of you, however, we have decided to modify substantially the approach to the cost worksheet.

Our initial goal was to collect statewide and regional network Internet cost data to supplement the public library-reported Internet cost data for the 1997 Public Library and the Internet survey sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS). To do this, we selected networks that provided a range of services through a variety of network configurations.

The feedback you provided us indicated that, due to the nature of your networks, current budgeting methods, and a host of other issues, no one cost worksheet would adequately meet our needs. While we anticipated that there may be a need for multiple worksheets, we did not anticipate the extent to which this would be so. Rather than have you complete the attached revised worksheet, therefore, we are asking you to tell us:

• The three most difficult issues for completing the current worksheet, given your network's configuration, budgeting practices, etc.;

• The amount of time - in person hours - you estimate it would take to complete a similar worksheet;

• The modifications you would need to make to the worksheet to make it work in your state or regional network situation; and

• The gross annual cost data, if possible, for your network since your network's inception.

We will also collect from you documentation that describes the configuration of your network and the services your network provides. Please send us any existing network architectures or blueprints, and any description of services provided by your network.

From this, we will create one or more cost worksheets to include in the 1997 study's final report for public libraries to use in determining the costs of their Internet services. The idea is to provide a starting point for libraries to determine these costs with a worksheet that will require modification to their specific situations.

We thank you for all your assistance to date. Your input has been of great help to us. We hope that you will provide us with feedback on the attached cost worksheet, and any network configuration and service-related documentation by Friday, August 15, 1997 for inclusion in the final report. Should you have any questions, please contact Pattee Fletcher <fletcher@umbc.edu>, (410) 455 3154 Phone; (410) 455-1073 Fax.

Sincerely,

John Carlo Bertot, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor