Austin Free-Net 2209 Rosewood Avenue Austin, TX

Mission Austin Free-Net provides technology training and access for the community, fostering skills that enable people to succeed in a digital age. Our computer labs and classes are open to all; our focus is on underserved communities. The knowledge we offer helps people obtain jobs, improve their lives, and participate as active citizens.

Short History –Incorporated 1995 as a Texas Nonprofit Corporation. –First project – Austin Public Libraries –Various projects over years to create community computer labs and provide expertise to program partners and other programs with similar goals – funded by grants, contracts, donations –1998 – began contract with the City for public access services in libraries and other sites as agreed –2001 – began Fix-Net project to provide affordable, dependable tech support and training for nonprofits –Libraries became totally self-sufficient technologically last year –Focusing now on strengthening our community sites and training program

Short History Seattle Community Network Technology Access Foundation Source: Lisa Servon (2002) Bridging the digital divide: Technology, community and policy Austin Free-Net Organizational Structure of Community Technology

Seattle Community Network (a pure Free-Net) – existed solely on the Internet, offering information of interest to Seattle residents, evolved from original Free-Nets. Original Free-Nets (mid-1980’s) grew out of bulletin boards and electronic networks, used by people who share similar interests but were not necessarily proximate.[1][1] Technology Access Foundation – a community technology center in a physical place providing training and access to computers and the Internet in their center. Their web site is about their organization only. Austin Free-Net – Multiple strategically sited centers with public access computers, good Internet connections and training. Focused on creating a usable, inclusive resource which is easier for a wider range of people to access than a single center or purely online network.

Current Status Community sites are averaging 5,000 – 5,500 user sessions per month 106 computers in 15 sites Just replaced computers Fix-Net serves about 20 nonprofits at all times with tech support Fix-Net classes last year – 16 –83 participants from 33 organizations

Our Focus For Near Future Community Sites – strengthening with more resources – curriculum binders, new printers, head phones, etc. Training – more classes in more places with more outreach Develop better methods of collecting data and documenting our activities and community impact. Expanding relationship with Health and Human Services Healthy Neighborhood Project

Funding City contract coming up for renewal – we leverage their dollars very well Local support has been very good –Lola Wright Foundation –Applied Materials –Austin Community Foundation –Spansion/Round2 Technologies for Computer Recycling Event

Needs Adding infrastructure (while keeping the staff we have): –Funding for new Executive Director –Work study program for students for data collection/survey of users Partnerships for resources and referrals Board members

Contacts Dale Thompson –512/ x10