Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has ceased operation of Three Rivers Free-Net, the public service started 10 years ago to give governments, community groups and public agencies a place on the Internet to locate their Web pages at no charge.

Library spokeswoman Lane Cigna said technical problems and financial concerns factored into the decision to stop the service as of May 31.

"There was a hardware issue and also the evolution of the marketplace," Cigna said. "Back when the Free-Net was created, it was at a time when nonprofits, community groups and government agencies did not have much Web knowledge, savvy or resources."

Three Rivers Free-Net was started in 1994 with a $75,000 federal grant. Since then, it has been staffed by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and funded through the general operating budget. Specific cost numbers were not available, Cigna said.

"We were dedicating staff and resources to the Free-Net and we decided to use our resources in another way," she said.

At its peak, Three Rivers Free-Net was host server for 359 Web sites, but that number has steadily dwindled to less than 60 over the past couple of years, as the Internet has become easier and cheaper to navigate. Port Authority Transit, for example, initially used TRFN, but several years ago moved its Web site operations in-house.

Cigna said some Web sites on TRFN have not been active for quite a while and might have moved to other Web addresses without notifying the Carnegie.

The TRFN Web site will remain up and running until the end of the year. TRFN will reroute Web site traffic to new servers provided the group that operates the Web site notifies the Carnegie of the new Internet location.

In addition, Three Rivers Free-Net directs groups with existing sites to a variety of free and low-cost Web site hosts, like the newly created Pittsburgh Free Net.

David Tessitor, one of several people operating Pittsburgh Free Net, said that even with a changing marketplace, community groups, nonprofits and others have a need for free Web site services.

Pittsburgh Free Net accelerated its plans after learning that TRFN was shutting down.

The service began May 1 and once it expands will be operated by a board of directors made up of representatives who use Pittsburgh Free Net.

"We not only take nonprofits, but individuals who have a community-oriented project," Tessitor said. "Having a Web site can help them get organized."

Pittsburgh Free Net is not available for individual or business Web sites.

Cigna said that the free Internet service provided by the Carnegie remains unchanged. Library patrons can still use their library cards to use computers, search the Web and create and print documents.

"It has nothing whatsoever to do with the computer services at the public library," Cigna said.

Community groups can reach Pittsburgh Free Net on the web at pghfree.net.