When the inauguration of the public Internet access network currently being built in Poznań took place on March 14th at branch no. 2 of the Raczyński Library, the local government announced the beginning of a new era in social communication. Despite Poznań’s undoubted successes in this field, a note of triumphalism is certainly a bit premature…
What is the essence
PIAP is an abbreviation for the English term Public Internet Access Point. These are facilities equipped with, among other things, computer workstations with a permanent Internet connection, the greatest value of which is accessibility for all citizens without exception. They should be located in places such as community centers, libraries, or places where representatives of local communities usually meet. In these places, residents can use Internet access free of charge, subject to certain conditions. The staff at these points also help people who have no knowledge or skills in using the Internet to take their first steps online. The project is co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund. The Poznań local government is widely known for implementing processes of computerization of municipal administration. The local City Hall has already been awarded the title of “IT Leader 2004” in the “Public Administration” category. The city authorities also managed to develop and submit (as part of the Integrated Regional Operational Program) the “e-Poznań – Implementation of the program for building electronic municipal administration” program. At the request of the City Hall, the documents “IT Strategy for the City of Poznań, e-Poznań” and “Strategy” were also prepared, setting out the directions and methods for building an information society in Poznań.
Importantly, the Poznań magistrate is aware of the problems that the scope of public Internet access brings.
The article comes from the magazine “e-Fakty” 4/2005.