November/December 2000 Vol. 32, no. 11-12

The Web Awareness Program: An Update

Gwynneth Evans, Director General
National and International Programs

The National Library of Canada is joining the Canadian Library Association and other federal and provincial library agencies as a partner in a project that is an exciting next step toward a high-quality, standardized national program to deliver public education programs and resources on informed use of the Internet to those Canadians who rely on libraries for access and connectivity to this rich information resource. The project will involve funding for a program to train library staff and develop public education programming for users of the Internet, especially those who work with children and youth.

Public library agencies, national associations, LibraryNet and the National Library of Canada have worked together for over a year to address the issues of research and training in the Internet environment, and this pilot project is the result of their continued cooperative efforts. Over this same period, a national committee, chaired by Gwynneth Evans, Director General, National and International Programs, has provided a forum for information exchange, potential programming opportunities and partnership with Media Awareness in its Web Awareness Program.

The Web Awareness Program was launched in October 1999 as Web Awareness Ontario. National Librarian Roch Carrier launched the campaign with a group of young people at the Nepean Public Library during Ontario Library Week. The synergy that developed within the group, which included staff members of several library agencies and of Media Awareness, was invigorating. Although the work to promote and deliver Web literacy and education programming began in Eastern Ontario, it has since extended to other parts of the country. Programming has included Web site demonstrations and tutorials for parents and young people; workshops for librarians and teachers; information sessions to raise awareness of the issues and challenges that face children and young people when they go online; and development of a bilingual Web site with practical Internet education resources.

To manage the program in a sustainable and effective manner, the national committee is focussing on providing Canadian libraries with the tools they need to help users to maximize the potential of the Internet in a safe and welcoming library environment, where the expertise of library staff will enhance the users’ experience.

The National Library has worked with these partners on a number of projects related to the place of public libraries in the networked world. It has been a member of LibraryNet since its inception within the SchoolNet Programs of Industry Canada. In 1998, the Library was a partner in sponsoring the Ekos Research Associates Inc. study of public libraries. Highlights from the study can be found in "Canadians, Public Libraries and the Information Highway" in the June 1999 (vol. 32, no. 6) issue of the National Library News. National Library staff have also participated in a review of research that Media Awareness coordinated through partnership with a private sector research firm and various sponsors. Roch Carrier joined the board of Media Awareness in 2000.

Further information on these initiatives can be found at www.webawareness.org and www.cla.ca.