Lethbridge Community Network: a case study of a sustainable community information infrastructure.

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to report on a) an investigation on sustainability of community information networks and b) to reflect on sustainability issues surrounding a particular community information network: The Lethbridge Community Information Network (LCN). The literature showed that the sustainability of community information networks are influenced by: a) the physical requirements such as accommodation, electricity and data-communications, b) the location of the nodes of access, c) the availability of technology, d) the reason why it was established, e) a person to champion it, f) community involvement, g) finance and h) a way to ensure ongoing maintenance of equipment. A study of the LCN showed that strong Government support through the Canadian Community Access Program helped significantly in the establishment of the LCN. Even though the investigated showed the LCN has not achieved sustainability, it also showed that most of the requirements for a sustainable community network were present, some to a lesser degree than others. The LCN is aware of the challenge it is facing in this regard and is moving forward on it.