Tasmanian Communities Online (TCO) is a network of 66 strategically located Online Access Centres across rural and regional Tasmania.

The five goals that guide the network's business activities are:

1. Maintain and promote TCO as a cohesive and responsive network operating under a common set of standards, policies and procedures
2. Contribute to local initiatives that strengthen community capacity.
3. Facilitate local access to IT-enabled education and training opportunities that enhance lifelong learning.
4. Promote and support access to government, business and other online services.
5. Provide equitable and supported access to computers and the Internet.

Background

The TCO network was initially established in 1998 with $7.75 million from the Australian Government's Networking the Nation program, by the Department of Education. Since inception, the Department of Education has provided a substantial in-kind contribution in the form of rent-free access to premises and telecommunications at no cost to the community. The majority of Centres share a broadband Internet connection with their host library or school.

In June 2004, the Tasmanian Government became the major sponsor of the network with a financial commitment of approximately $2.1 million annually to assist communities to meet their Centre's operational expenses and to provide central support to the network. The last two Centres, Glenorchy and Clarence Plains were established as part of a 2005-06 State Budget initiative.

The TCO network is an important element in a number of key government strategic directions including:

• Tasmania Together - the State Government's 20 year social, economic, and environmental plan
• Learning Together - a strategic framework for lifelong education and public information services
• Tasmania: A State of Learning - a strategic framework for post compulsory education and training including adult and community education

Governance and Management

Governance diagram

Tasmanian Communities Online program is managed by the Department of Education through the State Library's TCO Centre Support Unit. The Unit administers a grant program to assist the communities to meet Online Access Centre operational costs, provides field support and advice as well as managing a number of state-wide initiatives and partnerships on behalf of the Centres.

The Tasmanian Communities Online Advisory Board provides strategic advice and oversees the network. This 11-member voluntary body is appointed by the Minister for Education and is comprised of representatives from the Online Access Centre Committees, local government, the education and training sector and the general community.

In most cases, the responsibility for each Centre's operations rests with a not-for-profit incorporated body. A paid Coordinator, part-time in all but the largest Centres, manages the day to day operations of each Centre including the recruitment, training and supervision of volunteers.

Approximately one third of communities have opted for the Department to assume the Centre's financial and employment administration. The community retains a strong strategic and oversight role through individual Centre Advisory Committees.

The Tasmanian Communities Online Network 2005-08 Business Plan, endorsed by the Advisory Board, provides the strategic focus for the network. Based on the research findings outlined in Local Access -Global Reach- An Evaluation of the TCO Network the plan outlines specific strategies and tasks for Centres and the Centre Support Unit in the context of changing community demographics, technological change, trends in volunteerism and other strategic considerations.

Along with its companion publication Casting the Net, Local Access -Global Reach- An Evaluation of the TCO Network gives an important snapshot of the network and its achievements.