New Community Networks : Wired for Change

In an era of declining communities, grassroots activists all over the world are building community networks designed to reinvigorate communities by encouraging dialogue and providing a forum for voices that too often go unheard. Via new computer networking technology, new communities can now connect electronically to pursue activities such as community and public health projects, long-distance learning, performances, and "virtual spaces."
New Community Networks is a unique contribution to the literature on social uses of technology. It provides practical how-to advice and discusses the rationale, concerns, and directions of socially-directed technology. This book should be read by government officials, librarians, policy analysts, educators, journalists, social service administrators, students, social and political activists, and - in fact - by anyone concerned about our communities and the uses of technology in our society.
Highlights: provides a helpful reference for people trying to develop and sustain their own community networks; details issues critical for the success of a community-based network; includes case studies from the Santa Monica PEN project, Community Memory in Berkeley, the Cleveland FreeNet, and the Big Sky Telegraph system in rural Montana; explains short- and long-term issues about community networks; and offers an extensive reference section and numerous appendices providing handy access to a plethora of information related to community networks.

Doug Schuler is chair of Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility and a founding member of the Seattle Community Network.