Spotlight on Austin Free-Net: A Major Player in the Austin Access Model
In 1995, Austin was already touted as a high-tech city. Over half of
Austinites had a home computer, and many had home access to the Internet.
And yet, whole neighborhoods had no access to the Internets or even to
personal computers. Said Reverend Carrington, of Sweethome Missionary
Baptist Church:
"Austin, Texas, said they are a wired city. Somebody's
lying, because I can walk out of this building right here and find 20
homes that don't have a computer in them . . . And most of these people
cannot afford to spend $800, $1,200 for a computer." (1)
Those who had no computer either at home or at work had no other options,
because there were no computers in public places. A tight budget year,
1995 saw no city funds available to extend technology opportunities.
One pioneer in Austin was the late Susan Hadden, a professor at the LBJ
School of Public Affairs. Dr. Hadden envisioned an organizational structure
in which citizens could provide input into how technology could serve
their needs and those of their community. Her vision evolved into the
Austin Access Model (AAM). This model encourages implementation and improvement
of community-based public access sites, the identification of social resources
within the Austin community, and the ultimate development of community
competence.
In the Austin Access Model, community competence represents social, intellectual,
and financial capital. Community competence should augment the ability
of citizens to develop and sustain their own communities and neighborhood
programs. It was determined early on that free Internet access would significantly
aid in these efforts. In Austin, one primary local organization responsible
for facilitating both free Internet access and the broader aims of the
Austin Access Model is Austin Free-Net.
1995
Austin Free-Net (AFN), formed in March, recognized the problem and began
an initiative to provide public access. Their initial plan was to install
computers at 46 sites in Austing by 1996. By the end of 1995, Internet
access was available at the Dove Springs and Carver branches of the Austin
Public Library.
At the state level, the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund (TIF)
was created when the telecommunications industry was deregulated to address
inequities that the deregulation might cause. The fund provided means
for schools and libraries to purchase computers and Internet equipment.
1996
In 1996, the state of Texas gave its support to the move to put computers
in public libraries, setting aside $1.7 million for that purpose. Austin
Free-Net received $206,900 and Metropolitan Austin Interactive Network
recevied $39,500 for the library initiative. In all, the funding allowed
placement of 50 computers in Austin libraries and public access in 94
libraries across the state.
The Austin Learning Academy (ALA) began incorporating technology into
their programs, using computers as a tool to teach literacy. This move
added an additional 50 computers at four different Austin locations that
were accessible to the public, as well as instruction in using them.
1997
At the end of 1997, 56 Internet-capable computers had been installed
in public libraries by AFN.
1998
In 1998, Austin Independent School District (AISD) had $45 million set
aside to provide computers in the public schools. The district had wired
one third of their campuses, but two thirds were still waiting.
Outside of schools and libraries, computer and Internet access was available
at the following 12 community centers:
- East Austin Community Network Lab
- Montopolis Community Center
- The DeWitty Center
- Austin Learning Academy (four sites)
- Contreas Ates Family Resource Center
- The Austin Eastside Story Foundation
- Business Investment in Growth Corporation
- East Austin Neighborhood Police Center
- Community Empowerment Center
- Our Lady's Family Center/East Austin Media Lab
- Mount Carmel Apartments
- New Lincoln Missionary Baptist Church
Today
In the years since 1998, Austin Free-Net and other community-based organizations
have continued to expand public access to technology. Today, AFN connects
36 different sites in the Austin area.
Most AISD campuses are wired to the Internet, and the Austin Public Library,
with help from the Dell Foundation, has expanded library access through
the Wired for Youth program.
AFN has formed partnerships with other non-profits in two collaborations
funded by the Department of Education: the Community Technology and Training
Centers Project, and American YouthWorks.
AFN is also part of the Austin Telecommunity Networking Project that
collaborates with the University of Texas, St. Edward’s University, Austin
Community College, Knowbility, libraries, local government, and non-profit
technology providers to provide computer labs, low-cost training and access,
and development of online content. Students at UT work with AFN to develop
strategies for long-term support of community technology efforts, civic
development, and technology policy discussions.
These efforts illustrate the role that AFN fills in Austin’s efforts
to build a strong, sustainable technology and community infrastructure
for the population most often excluded from access to the information
highway. Although AFN has benefited from money granted by TIF and other
federal programs, the impetus for this response to the issue of public
access in Austin has primarily been local.
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