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Why Libraries?
- Libraries
as Instruments of Information Policy
- With sweeping
changes in the way Canadians seek and use information in recent years,
public libraries have been on a quest to stake a claim in the information
society. In addition, Industry Canada has named public libraries as
vehicles for its 'Connecting Canadians' initiative. This paper reports
the results of an analysis of public libraries’ responses to these imposed
roles.
- Citizens
First 2000
- The Institute
of Public Administration of Canada surveyed Canadians on their attitudes
towards service delivery by both public and private institutions. Canadians
rate public libraries as one of the best performing public or private
institutions, surpassed only by fire departments. Perceptions of library
service were even higher if the respondent had visited one within the
past year. Both the full
report and a summary
are available in PDF format.
The report is a sequel to one done in 1998 by the federal government's
Canadian Centre for Management
Development, which found equally high ratings of public library
services.
- Privacy,
Access and the Shifting Marketplace
- Preliminary
results from this survey, performed by Ekos
Research Associates for Industry Canada, show that Canadians choose
libraries for public Internet access. 45% of the respondents said that
they had used the Internet in a library, second only to schools. Even
more encouraging, in answer to the question "Where would you be most
likely to use the Internet if you could go to a public place and get
access?", 53% of respondents without home access chose the library (as
compared to 10% who chose school, 6% who chose Internet café, 3% who
chose community centre, 3% who chose government office, 3% who chose
shopping mall, and 3% who chose other).
- The
Future's in the Balance
- "The
Future's in the Balance: A Toolkit for Libraries and Communities in
the Digital Age" is published by the Benton
Foundation, which works to realize the social benefits made possible
by the public interest use of communications. This toolkit is part of
a program of communications research designed to help libraries more
effectively galvanize public support for their leadership in the digital
age. More reports are available on line from the Foundation's Virtual
Library.
- Canadians,
Public Libraries and the Information Highway
- This survey,
a part of Ekos Associates' Information Highway and the Canadian Communications
Household project, shows how Canadians support public library services
and libraries' role in providing access to the Information Highway.
- Dividends:
The Value of Public Libraries in Canada
- Prepared
by the Book and Periodical Council of Canada, this document "is
intended to serve as a nation-wide reference tool for those advocating
and planning for the continuation of strong library services .... It
outlines the many areas in which public libraries play a vital role
in Canada." Friends
of the Hamilton Public Library has prepared a web page with Hamiltonians'
comments and opinions (no longer available) on the conclusions of this report.
- Community
Networking and Access Initiatives in Canada
- Prepared
by Andrew Reddick and available from the Public
Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), this report analyses the communication
and information needs of Canadians, identifies the emerging communication
class divisions of Information Highway access, and, based on a review
and analysis of community networks, Community Access sites and related
initiatives, proposes a series of recommendations to address Canadians'
communication and information needs. Addresses the role that libraries
play in maintaining community networks. To obtain a copy (121 pages,
$15) call 613-562-4002 or email piac@web.net.
- Public
Attitudes Towards Education
- This bi-annual
survey conducted by OISE and the University of Toronto includes a chapter
on the value of public libraries. Copies of the 1996 survey are available
from Stan Squires at the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and
Recreation, 416-314-7632, or stan.squires@mczcr.gov.on.ca.
- Internet
Costs and Cost Models for Public Libraries
- An "effort
to define and describe typical costs related to public library Internet
connectivity and related services." Includes actual worksheets
that you can print out in order to project costs. Although written for
the American public library system, much of the information is applicable
to Canadian libraries.
- Libraries
for the Future
- A U.S.
library advocacy group. The principles of their argument are just as
true for Canadian libraries, however.
- LibraryNet
Concept Paper
- Written
to describe LibraryNet and its mission, this paper also contains a concise
summary of the reasons why Canadian public libraries are the most logical
places for public access to the information highway.
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Funding
Sources
- CAP:
Canada's Community Access Program
- CAP is
an Industry Canada-funded program designed to help residents and businesses
in small and rural communities have the same access to the opportunities
offered by the information highway as those in larger urban centres.
Assistance of up to $30,000 is available to help cover the costs
of equipment, connections, staff, training and technical support. Not-for-profit
organizations, such as libraries or schools, can apply on behalf of
their community -- information on submitting a proposal is available
at this site.
- Computers
for Schools and Libraries
- An initiative
co-sponsored by Industry Canada and the private sector which "recycles"
surplus computer equipment and software. Donated equipment is tested,
refurbished and then given to Canadian schools and public libraries.
Guidelines and eligibility criteria for applications are available at
this site.
- Gates
Library Initiative
- A creation
of Microsoft founder Bill Gates, dedicated to "working with underserved
U.S. and Canadian public libraries in low-income areas to provide the
hardware and software required for community access to digital information,"
as well as training for library staff. Grant-making guidelines and criteria
are available online, as well as a list of funded libraries.
- How
To Make Money with Your Web Site
- A practical
guide for libraries interested in fundraising opportunities on the Internet.
The site is a response to the growing demand from librarians to know
more about affiliate and other revenue-generating programs on the web.
- SchoolNet/LibraryNet
Youth Employment Initiative
- Through
Industry Canada's LibraryNet, public libraries are eligible to apply
for funding to hire youth under the SchoolNet Youth Initiative (YI)
for up to 16 weeks to work on projects that promote the use of information
and communications technology (ICT) in public libraries. In the past,
libraries have used LibraryNet funds to digitize local content, provide
public Internet training, develop web sites, and prepare for electronic
delivery of federal government information and services. Libraries are
required to match Industry Canada's contribution with cash or in-kind
funding, which can be allotted towards topping up salaries or for paying
the administrative costs of training and supervising the youth employee.
To be eligible, the youth must be unemployed or underemployed and fall
between the ages of 15 and 30, and be post-secondary graduates or have demonstrated some post-secondary education.
For more
information, or to submit a proposal, please contact:
LibraryNet/ReseauBiblio
Industry Canada/Industrie Canada
Room 230B, 2nd Floor, Section A, South Tower
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0C8
Email: ln-rb@ic.gc.ca
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