Determinants of the usage of public computer lab facilities in rural communities

Abstract

For those without information technology in the household, the importance of public computer lab facilities which can offer access to such technology free of charge is very great. However, the sustainability of such facilities is a difficult challenge for rural communities which do not have a large population to uphold such an endeavour. This research examines those factors influencing the usage of public computer lab facilities in rural communities. This research objective is achieved by examining such a facility located in a small rural community in Nova Scotia. Interviews with various stakeholders indicate that the lack of computer technology within the home, desire for social interaction, desire to increase knowledge of information technology, accessibility of the site, sophistication of the site, services offered, and technical support all influence the perceived usefulness of the facility, which in turn, influences the intention to use the facility and ultimately self-reported system usage.