Rural Development News—Vol. 24 No. 4, 2000

Local Government Guide to the Internet

Reviewed by Lynn R. Harvey, Professor and Extension Specialist, State and Local Government, Michigan State University Local government educators, community development professionals and local officials are often faced with the daunting task of retrieving regional, state, county and sub-county demographic and statistical data for the purposes of research, education, grant applications, or to answer a myriad of questions from policy makers and citizens. Frustration levels rise and valuable time is consumed as various databases are searched seeking answers to meet deadlines—only to find that the data either cannot be found or once found, the data isn’t in the desired form or format. The TVA Rural Studies program at the University of Kentucky has developed a “must have” reference text for professionals and community leaders involved in community development work. Priscilla Salant and Christy Dearien, authors of Local Government Guide to the Internet: Online Resources for Communities, have developed a 300-page reference text for both the novice and experienced internet surfer. The guide provides not only a how-to reference for searching the internet and the myriad of databases available, but also hundreds of URLs for a variety of topics related to community development. The various websites are described as to the type of data that are likely to be found and how to narrow one’s search for the exact type of information or data that one is seeking. Many illustrations are included in the guide, showing display screens and helpful icons, and describing various search engines that can be used to find that elusive piece of information needed for the grant application that is due at 5 p.m. Descriptions are also given as to whether the information or data referenced by the websites can be directly downloaded into spreadsheets, printed-off and manually loaded, or printed in PDF format for later use. The guide is laid out in six major sections—Introduction, People, Place, Economy, Government and Next Steps—with each section containing several chapters. Each chapter provides a list of websites on where to start your search, followed by specific websites that may answer your specific inquiry or solve a data dilemma problem, and concludes with listservs that will help the reader remain in the information exchange loop. A chapter titled Economic Development is a gold mine for folks working in this area. A handy reference table is provided on resources to address specific economic development strategies ranging from entrepreneurial business start-ups to telecommunications and eCommerce to tourism. A chapter in the Government section, titled Public Administration and Finance, includes descriptions and sources of information related to local government organization, local government finance, public employment, school finance and enrollment, and related websites. Readers will find the Next Steps section of the reference guide of particular value. The three chapters in this section address community indicator projects, mapping tools and funding resources, and have broad application. Land use educators and community planners will find the chapter on mapping tools to be extremely helpful. The description of Geographic Information Systems and how to use them is useful, especially for the novice practitioner. The chapter also contains an extensive listing of GIS data sources to be employed in addressing mapping and data needs. Communities are always seeking grant funds for specific projects as well, and the chapter on funding resources is a quick reference guide to state and federal sources for external funding, broken down by subject areas. Authors Salant and Dearien conclude their local government internet reference guide with a comprehensive index to aid the reader in referencing the particular subject matter being sought. State extension services should be encouraged to purchase copies of the reference guide for extension community development educators. Extension agents will be well served to inform community planners and local decision-makers of the availability of Local Government Guide to the Internet. Local Government Guide to the Internet: Online Resources for Communities is available for $30.95 (this includes shipping and handling) from TVA Rural Studies, 408 Ag Engineering Building, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0276. Multiple copy discounts are provided. The University of Kentucky has developed an agreement with the National League of Cities to aid in the distribution and promotion of the book.