As a librarian interested in what we now term "digital divide" issues, I was thrilled to learn about a group called the Chicago Coalition for Information Access (CCIA). CCIA was founded by Carl Davidson, a mover and shaker in SDS in the 60s, who had moved into other aspects of grassroots organizing. I got involved over a couple of years, and was heavily involved by the time I left Chicago in 1997.

• Chicago Media Map, July 1996. An analysis of ownership of local print, tv and radio media outlets. The print map was never made available online.

• Telecomm and Me? Yes! Demystifying Telecommunications and Information Policy, Town Forum, July 20, 1996. (Principal organizer, with Chicago Coalition for Information Access; Chicago Media Watch; Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility.)

• Southwest Youth Collaborative, Community Computing Center. (Grants, Teaching, Developing Instructional Program, 1995-1997.)
  
  Carl had hooked up with the SWYC, a group doing great work with youth in SW Chicago. They needed someone to help them write up plans and a grant for a computing center, and then to help get some computer skills training going. I drafted a bunch of my friends to help with the basic computer training of the youth; and then the youth took over with peer-based skills training. Since then, the program has continued to develop, and is part of CTCNet Chicago.

• Board, 1996-97.