Build

FAQ

by Kelly Garrett
University of Michigan School of Information, Community Information Corps

Overview

The web site of the La Plaza Telecommunity describes the activities and objectives of this unique community organization.  Based in Taos, New Mexico and serving a number of rural northern New Mexico communities, La Plaza is at once a pay-for-access full-service Internet Service Provider and a community service organization.  The site strives to generate community interest in and awareness of their organization while providing access to the resources they support.  These resources are often generated and maintained by other community organizations, allowing La Plaza to focus on the training, web hosting and network connectivity that make them possible.

Their mission is threefold.  These objectives are described below, with links to examples of both community- and commercially- affiliated services provided on the site. 

• To provide access to information technology resources

Public Access Sites 
Commercial Web Hosting
• To offer education in computer and Internet technology 

Free Classes
Paid Classes
• To maintain a virtual library of regional information and resources 

Examples of Community Developed Content
Free Movie Database with Commercial Sponsorship

For a specific breakdown of revenue and expenses see the 1998 budget forecast.  According to this report, grants and donations were expected to make up less than half of the organization's annual income for 1998.  In fact, the document indicates there were no grants and less than $700 in donations budgeted for the second half of the fiscal year.  According to the latest Executive Director's Report posted on the site (dated July 1998) La Plaza is actively pursuing future grants.

Strengths

The site has a number of strengths worth describing briefly.  My first impression of the site was its simple and generally consistent interface.  Graphics are used sparingly and pages generally load quickly.  This seems appropriate for an audience of community users many of whom rely on slow telephone line connections.  Navigation was for the most part also simple and clear, though the size of the site can sometimes make it difficult to find a particular piece of information.

Moving from interface to content, the site also employs some unique tools that allow users to build on to the site's basic structure.  Examples of this include the ability to add links to many of the main sections of the site and to submit entries to a publicly accessible calendar.  

Another interesting aspect of the site is the role community members can play by reviewing proposed changes to the bylaws of La Plaza Telecommunity.  Current policy, bylaws, board meeting minutes and financial information are all available on the site.  In July of 1998, the charge to be a voting member of La Plaza was eliminated (it had been $10).  However, in order to vote interested community members must still meet several criteria, including a requirement that the user be "subscribed to the <lpgovern> listserv for a minimum of 30 days prior to any specific vote in order to participate in that vote."  According to a staff member, many users actively discuss and vote the issues.

The <lpgoven> listserv is only one of many lists maintained by La Plaza.  These lists have been set up by people both within and outside of the community, and are reported to be quite active.  This activity is a sharp contrast to the web based chat service announced on the main page.  Though the chat service is free, it requires submitting an e-mail address to an unknown commercial provider, and it was one staff member's impression that it is not often used. 

Conclusion

It is clear that La Plaza Telecommunity has strong ties to the community and is an active participant in providing public access to the Internet in a rural area that might otherwise be lacking.  La Plaza also appears to be struggling with how to sustain itself financially by expanding into territory traditionally left to for-profit organizations (Internet Service Providers).  The web site reflects this struggle, presenting an odd mix of commercial and public service.  Nonetheless, the numerous educational, health-related and governmental resources available make this a site worth exploring.