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In Concert with Libraries:
Three Rivers Free-Net

Three Rivers Free-Net (TRFN) broadly defines itself as "a community-based computer network designed to provide the Pittsburgh region with free access to local and worldwide information." TRFN does much more than simply provide access to information: the network is a uniting force in Allegheny County, committed to organizing local groups and resources and thus encouraging collaboration among both geographically and politically diverse organizations.

TRFN was jointly created in 1993 by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and The University of Pittsburgh School of Library and Information Science (now known as the School of Information Sciences). The project was funded by a Library Services and Construction Grant from the Commonwealth Libraries of Pennsylvania. The original TRFN interface was modeled after a BBS (Bulletin Board System) interface developed for the Cleveland Free-Net. However,TRFN changed their plans due to the tremendous growth of the Web, and the many clear advantages of the Web as an interface for the dissemination of information.

Three Rivers Free-Net is administered by librarians at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, a fact that may explain the network's impressive organization. The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh sees the creation and maintenance of TRFN as a part of the library's major objectives: to provide relevant community information for Allegheny County and to insure equal access to such information throughout the area

About the Community

Pittsburgh is the stronghold of a county divided by a diverging river system, a rolling topography, and 130 discrete municipalities. More than three rivers divide the towns of Allegheny County from its cultural epicenter in Pittsburgh. The city and its surrounding communities have several low-income areas populated mainly by African-American and white blue-collar workers from the depressed steel industry. New jobs in technology and biotechnology are helping to revive the community. In the last 15 years, Pittsburgh has made a remarkable comeback from the hardship that struck with the end of the steel era. The infrastructure of the city, its businesses, and its cultural center have made this comeback possible.

Accessibility

TRFN has worked in cooperation with the Electronic Information Network for Public Libraries in order to secure public access to TRFN by putting over 1,100 workstations in libraries throughout Allegheny County.

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is responsible for providing Internet training to librarians in Allegheny County. The library also provides classes to the public on basic Internet skills. Three Rivers Free-Net is taking responsibility for computer training as well, by teaching participating agencies not only how to use the Internet but how to create Web sites with desirable content.

Funding and Collaboration

Three Rivers Free-Net is sustained by the annual operating budget of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Budgeting for this project is made possible by the Allegheny Regional Asset District and the Commission on the Future of Libraries in Allegheny County.

Although TRFN is administered and funded by the library, its initial success was a result of collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh School of Library and Information Science, the Electronic Information Network for Public Libraries, the Commonwealth Libraries of Pennsylvania, and other key collaborators. Over 170 or so information providers currently collaborate with TRFN, including the City of Pittsburgh,Communities in Schools, The Kingsley Association, The Carnegie Museums, and almost 100 not-for-profit agencies.

Content

Previously, local community information could be found on TRFN by either going directly to the main menu item "Pittsburgh" or by opening the "Subject Guide". If one were searching under "Pittsburgh", then one would find only local information about a given subject. If one were in the "Subject Guide," however, one would get listings of local information and also worldwide listings on the particular subject selected. The "Pittsburgh" option allowed users to simplify their search if they knew that the information they sought was community related. This format, unique to TRFN, provided an innovative way to focus on local information without neglecting the global nature of the Web.

Recently, TRFN changed this format, omitting the "Pittsburgh" option. The original structure proved to be too difficult to maintain. Now, the Free-Net provides a distinction between local and global information by offering a choice between local or global content within each subject area, rather than providing two menus. See Neighborhoods or Social Services for examples. Local information is listed first in some areas, such as Business. In others, it seems to compose the majority of the content, as in Cultural Activities. Eventually, according to administrator Susan Holmes, patrons can expect to find local Pittsburgh information at the top of each category.

TRFN's subject headings are given brief descriptions in order to quickly clarify the intended content of each subject area. Oftentimes the descriptions offer specific links to particularly useful sites. For instance, under the heading "Computers and the Internet," TRFN offers a direct link to a collection of online computer dictionaries. This method of organization provides an effective and uncluttered structure for presenting information.

Special Features

An innovative aspect of TRFN is a special feature called "Did you know?" It provides a collection of links in featured areas of interest. Examples include, "Did you know that you could learn about black history on the Web?" "Did you know that you can search for an apartment in Pittsburgh or in 1000 other cities on the Web?" and "Did you know that TRFN hosts the Breast Cancer Information Service, providing information to residents of Western Pennsylvania?" Archives of the "Did you know?" feature are a main menu option, and in most cases the resources are added to the appropriate subject heading as established links. This feature brings special items of interest to the forefront, in much the same way that libraries often feature collections on timely and interesting topics. This feature also provides a useful way of adding valuable content to the network as special issues arise.

Overall, the information of TRFN is presented and organized in an elegant and simple fashion. Information is indexed in columns for an efficient use of space. TRFN pages are designed with a definite understanding of how far users are willing to scroll for content. Even the TRFN logo is as clear and to the point as it is aesthetically sound. TRFN is a model community network. It will be of interest to watch it develop in content and structure, as it tries to capture an evolving online community.

For more information about community networks and their collaborators, please see The Work of CNs: Community Partnerships.