US/ND-1: Re: If libraries sold books would there be any book stores?

Re: If libraries sold books would there be any book stores?

Link Shadley (lshadley@seasurf.com)
Thu, 29 Aug 1996 10:45:14 -0700


Robert Mammel wrote:
> 
> If libraries sold books, would there be any book stores?
> 
> If libraries sell Internet dial in access (become an ISP) will there be any
> commercial Internet Service Providers?

> Once a subsidized service is in place in a marginal profit area, such as in
> rural communities, is it likely that any non-subsidized provider will ever
> brave that market?

Just the opposite happened here in northwest Oregon.  After forming a
local community partnership to create access, a state supported network
was the only ISP willing to talk with us.  We joined with them and payed
their hardware and line costs to bring 3 POPs to cover the county with
toll free access.  That was two years ago.  We now have 8 ISPs with
local presence, the original subsidized ISP and 7 private providers that
seem to be doing quite well.  The trick, I think, was public awareness,
training and promotion of the Internet to create a rapidly growing user
base that encouraged other private ISPs to come in.  If the subsidized
POP hadn't been willing to participate, we might still be without
service.
-- 

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*  In Balance,  Link Shadley                          *
*  LANCE - Ecotrust - Clatsop Community College       *
*  (503) 325-9657  lshadley@orednet.org               *
*  lshadley@seasurf.com                               *
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