"Through the work of organizations across Washington State, we're shifting from a world of 'digital division' to one of 'digital inclusion.' The work of the Communities Connect Network, profiled in this book with its many community partners, shows how dedicated individuals can harness technology to address social issues."

-Ken Thompson, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

In this important book, Michael Crandall and Karen E. Fisher and a dozen contributors have made "Digital Inclusion" their rallying cry. They provide a framework for thinking about the effects of community technology on digital inclusion and present concrete examples of the impact successful community technology providers have had on individual users, communities, and society as a whole.

Through an examination of efforts by community technology organizations in Washington State, Digital Inclusion offers a model for educating policy makers about the actual impacts of such efforts, along with suggestions for practical implementation. The case studies and analyses presented here will be of critical interest to community technology centers, libraries, government service agencies, and any other organization (or funder) that uses technology to deliver services to the information poor.

"The project described in this book served as both the catalyst and programmatic basis for the Washington Community Technology Opportunity Program. ... The methodology developed for this assessment is a great example of how rigorous research can yield practical benefits. Without the solid information and methodology developed by the authors, this project would not have been possible."

-Michael J. Gaffney, Washington State University

"After thirty years of delivering direct services, through this model it is the first time I have been able to clearly see how my work actually connects to the funders/policy-makers' world view."

-Carole Folsom-Hill, Executive Director, La Casa Hogar Yakima Interfaith Coalition

"Compelling and useful ... a vivid case study, and a blueprint for how to address digital inclusion through action research."

-Prof. John M. Carroll, IST, Penn State