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August 2000 LibraryNet Monthly TABLE OF CONTENTS
NEW REPORTS SHOW CANADA'S DIGITAL DIVIDE STILL WIDENINGA new study, "The Dual Digital Divide: the Information Highway in Canada", shows that despite the overall growth of the Internet in Canada over the past three years, access to, and the use of, the Net and other new technologies is now highly polarized along social class and generational lines. The study was produced by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) in collaboration with Ekos Research Associates. The study found that from 1997 through 1999, higher income households were three times more likely than lower income households to have access to the Internet in the home. By 1999, about two thirds of upper income households had access, as opposed to one in four low income households. The report also found that another divide exists between identifiable non-user groups - one group clearly desires access but faces major cost and literacy barriers; the second group of non-users has little interest or perceives no need for Internet access. These findings have major implications for industry and policy makers. In spite of expectations or assertions that all Canadians will be connected, the reality is that a large number of Canadians will likely remain unconnected. As well, the study found that both Internet users and non-users desired a choice in the means they use to access information and services. These circumstances will require organizations to ensure that information and services are provided in both electronic and other formats (e.g., paper, in-person, mail, etc.). PIAC is a non-profit organization that provides legal and research services on behalf of consumer interests, and, in particular, vulnerable consumer interests, concerning the provision of important public services. For more
information: Another recent study, "A View from the Living Room: the Broadband Internet as a Mass Market" from Omnia Communications and POLLARA, tends to confirm these findings. "Contrary to the myth of how the Digital Divide may be closing, the newest onliners are not under- privileged and under-educated, but middle-class consumers with disposable income," said Omnia's president, David Ellis. "A View from the Living Room" also found that Canada is far ahead of the U.S. in the deployment and adoption of next-generation broadband services. By the end of this year nearly 17% of Canadian online homes will have a broadband connection, compared to 8.6% in the U.S. The report predicts that the number of households with a broadband connection to the Internet will overtake the number of homes using a dial-up connection by 2005. Omnia Communications is a new media research and consulting firm tracking consumer behavior, technology developments, business strategies, and regulatory affairs for high-tech, media, and communications firms. POLLARA is Canada's largest domestically-owned public opinion and market research firm, with offices nation-wide. For more
information: WORLDWIDE DIGITAL DIVIDE STILL REMAINS LARGEA survey released on August 3 by Roper Starch Worldwide found sharp rises in PC ownership and Internet use around the world. However, the divide between developed and developing countries is only modestly closing. Thirty percent of global consumers own a PC, up six percentage points since 1998, while nearly one in five (18 percent) went online in the past month, up seven points in the same period, according to "Roper Reports Worldwide Spring 2000." The biggest regional jump in PC ownership occurred in developed Asia, where 55 percent of consumers have computers, up 12 points from 1998. In second place, half of North Americans (51 percent) own PCs, an eight-point gain over 1998. Third-place Latin America, where nearly three in 10 own PCs (29 percent), saw a seven point rise. Tied for fourth are Western Europe (39 percent) and developing Asia (17 percent), each up four points. Despite the gains in many parts of the world, the digital divide between developed and developing countries is only modestly closing, according to Tom Miller, director of the global consumer study. "The rate of adopting information technology in more nascent economies is faster than in developed countries, but it's from a base still quite small." Internet use is expanding at a pace similar to PCs. North Americans are more likely than people in other regions to have accessed the Internet in the past 30 days (41 percent), up 12 points since 1998. Next is developed Asia (32 percent), up 10 points, trailed by Western Europe (23 percent), up eight points; and Latin America (11 percent), Eastern Europe (11 percent), and developing Asia (10 percent), each up four points. At a country level, Turkey's Internet use has grown fastest, up 14 points to 19 percent. In the US, which has the highest Internet use (44 percent), those accessing the Net leaped 13 points. Germany (23 percent) also boosted its use by 13 points. Roper Starch Worldwide is a leading global marketing research and consulting firm. Its Worldwide Spring 2000 Study is based on face-to-face interviews with 1000 consumers, ages 13 to 65, in each of 30 countries. This wave of the study was conducted between November 1999 and February 2000. For more
information: FEDERAL VOLUNTEER SECTOR INITIATIVEThe federal government intends to commit more than $90 million over the next five years to developing its relationship with the voluntary sector. This will entail working with sector partners so that government can better serve Canadians and supporting the sector in its own work in serving Canadians. The most pivotal element of the Volunteer Sector Initiative will be the development of an Accord between the government and the voluntary sector. The Government will allocate $10 million for this work, as well as other measures designed to build a new foundation for its partnership with voluntary organizations. Another $10 million in funding will be provided to assist the volunteer sector to better understand the Internet's potential and to use it more effectively to share information and build bridges between communities. This commitment is over and above the existing federal support for VolNet. A Voluntary Sector Engagement and Information Forum will be held on September 17, 2000 at the Ottawa Congress Centre, Ottawa, Ontario. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet with Members of the Voluntary Sector Roundtable and other colleagues who will be playing key roles in the Voluntary Sector Initiative. The Forum will be an opportunity to learn about current issues, share your views and provide advice on how the engagement strategy for the Initiative can more effectively reach and extend throughout the voluntary sector. (Pre-registration is required.) For more
information: INFORMATION SEEKING BEHAVIOUR RESEARCHThe July issue of Information Research, an international electronic journal, includes a study which investigated information seeking by sight impaired people, with particular emphasis on the role of the Internet. The article, entitled "Information seeking by blind and sight impaired citizens: an ecological study," was written by Kirsty Williamson, Don Schauder and Amanda Bow. The research project was sponsored by the Information and Telecommunications Needs Research (ITNR) group of Australia. The techniques for collecting qualitative data included two focus groups, from both city and country settings. The findings of the study address issues of information needs, information sources, the role of the Internet in meeting needs and the barriers to the use of the Internet. The authors noted that the information needs and sources of sight impaired people were found to be much the same as for older adults, as indicated in a number of different studies. Contextual factors, both personal and societal, were found to be particularly significant in relation to the use of various sources of information, including the Internet. The paper's major conclusion is that people who are blind and sight impaired deserve to be provided with a range of ways of meeting information needs, as are available for people with normal sight. Given the inexorable continuing impact of the information age, it is also concluded that ways must be found for people with disabilities to participate equitably in the information economy. To read the
entire article: ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC LIBRARY WEBSITE USERichmond Public Library (RPL) recently analyzed the use of its website, based on monthly usage statistics from November 1995 to May 2000. (Website hits generated by indexing robots have been excluded wherever possible.) Since its launch in October 1995, use of the RPL website has increased dramatically. The number of web pages transmitted per month has increased over 70 times from almost 6,000 to over 420,000. The total number of web pages transmitted by the Library since November 1995 is over 5 million; that's greater than the total circulation of books for adult readers for the same period. The most popular area of the site has been Library Online, the library's online catalogue and computer and course booking system. The Internet edition of the local newspaper, the Richmond Review, and a practice Canadian Citizenship test are also heavily used. To visit
the site: INTERNET ACCESS HAS CHANGED OUR LIVESAccording to a joint study by Columbus Group and the Angus Reid Group, Internet access among Canadian adults in Canada has increased from 55% to 70% in the past twelve months. The proportion of users who use the Internet one hour per week or more has grown at the same rate, and currently stands at 52%, up from 41% in 1999. More importantly, the study shows that among users, the Internet has had a significant impact on people's lives. Of users polled, 76% say it has affected their lives in a variety of areas. 37% of those users claim it has made them more knowledgeable and up-to-date. The entertainment angle is also significant - 13% say it has made their life more fun because of the entertainment options available, and the ways in which they are able to communicate and meet new people online. Other positive impacts of the net include the convenience of conducting financial transactions online, improving work performance, reducing stress, and heightening awareness of social issues. "It is clear that the Internet has had a profound effect on the life of the typical Canadian", says Scott Brownlee, President of Columbus Group. "So much of what you hear about the Internet is based on the commerce point of view. I think a lot of people have forgotten the educational impact that the Internet has made on the typical end user, and this research reminds us of how the online user experience enables education and knowledge transfer." The "Canadian Inter@ctive Reid Report" is based on online surveys of 1,084 web users from Angus Reid Group's Canadian Internet Panel and a further 1,500 telephone interviews with Canadian adults. Data were gathered in June 2000. For more
information: RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY LAUNCHES E-LEARNING SITEThe Richmond Public Library (RPL) and FirstClass Systems Corporation (FCS) have partnered to launch an e-learning portal for web-based training. FCS is a developer and marketer of educational and training products for information technology professionals. They now provide a fully hosted e-learning site for RPL staff and patrons, called the Online Learning Center, which allows the library to offer specific training without having to build and maintain a whole new site. FCS' usual customers are corporations and businesses; this is the first public institution they have partnered with, as well as the first time RPL has offered services of this kind. FCS creates or purchases the course content, and designs and maintains the Web site. The library contributes to the content and organization of the site. FCS benefits from the exposure, and the library generates revenue by receiving a percentage of each sale through the website. Most courses run within a web browser so users don't need to install any additional software. The cost is between $59 and $120 per course. So far, courses offered include Java Programming, Data Warehousing, Coping With Stress and Project Management. There are also a few free Online Learning Center courses, available only to library cardholders. Other libraries interested in online learning for their patrons should inquire about establishing their own partnerships with FCS, based on Richmond Public Library's model. To visit
the Online Learning Center: For more
information: WINDSOR PUBLIC LIBRARY NOW ACCEPTING ONLINE DONATIONS THROUGH WEB SITEThe Windsor Public Library has added another electronic service to their web site. Supporters can now make secure online donations via the library's web site. Donations can be made with Visa, Master Card, or American Express thanks to Charity.ca, a national company dedicated to boosting charitable giving in Canada. Potential donors can connect to Charity.ca by clicking a "Donate Now" link on the Windsor Public Library's homepage. Supporters are routed to a secure server which ensures that any information sent will be encrypted and not decrypted before it reaches the Charity.ca servers. After the donation has been confirmed, donors will be emailed an eTax Receipt, which has been approved by Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. This eTax Receipt is official and may be used for income tax purposes. Other libraries wishing to be listed on Charity.ca, can register on-line at any time, free of charge. The process takes approximately 30 minutes, and requires information such as: mission statement, lists of programs and activities, financial information, number of board members, staff and volunteers and event listings. The full amount of the donations are transferred to the participating organisation, however, there is an 8% administrative charge to cover the credit card transaction fee, production of the e-tax receipts, and management of the data related to the donation. The Calgary Public Library Foundation, as well as the Oakville Public Library have also registered with the service. For more
information: CANADIANS SURF MORE THAN U.S. USERSThe first-ever Canadian Internet audience information and usage data from Nielsen//NetRatings indicates that Canadian Internet users went online more often and spent more time using the Internet in May than their U.S. counterparts did. Canadian web surfers spent nearly 30 more minutes online than U.S. Internet users, averaging more sessions and page views. There are now 13.1 million Canadians with Internet access, about one-tenth of the number in the US. The Nielsen//NetRatings service derives its data from a research panel of 7,350 English-speaking Internet users in randomly selected Canadian households. Nielsen//NetRatings is provided by Nielsen Media Research, NetRatings, Inc. and ACNielsen eRatings.com. For more
information: UK REPORT ON ELECTRONIC SERVICE DELIVERYOn July 9, the British government released a report on "Benchmarking Electronic Service Delivery." The report focuses on the development of e-government services and the lessons learned from the implementation of these services around the world. International best practices for electronic service delivery in the areas of employment, health, education and services to business are highlighted. The report also compares the UK's progress in the development of core government services against other nations. Countries whose online government initiatives are reviewed include Canada, the U.S., Australia, Singapore, Finland, France and several other European nations. The section on Canadian government initiatives discusses Government On-line, Service Canada, and the HRDC Job Bank, as well as several Industry Canada initiatives, including the E-Commerce strategy, the Spectrum auction, and the Canadian Consumer Information gateway. The full
text of the report is available online at: UK FUNDS INTERNET TRAINING FOR LIBRARY STAFFThe UK government's New Opportunities Fund (NOF) consists of 600 million pounds for Internet-related initiatives and development. The NOF has three funding programs of relevance to British public libraries: 20 million pounds for the training of library staff in the use of information technology, 50 million pounds allocated for content creation for which public libraries can bid, and 200 million pounds earmarked to create lifelong learning centres and grids, in which public libraries are expected to play a key part. The People's Network project, part of the NOF, has the task of connecting all British public libraries to the information superhighway by 2002. The Network will also coordinate the work of library services across the UK in implementing the network infrastructure, evaluate the staff training program and support the content creation process. The People's Network website contains further information and links to exemplary public library staff training plans. For more
information: DIGITAL STRATEGIES AT THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESSOn July 26, "LC21: A Digital Strategy for the Library of Congress" was released by the U.S. National Research Council (NRC). The study of the Library's technology practices and initiatives was commissioned by the Librarian of Congress in 1998. According to the report, "the Library continues to play a vital role in documenting and preserving the history of American creativity and in building a collection with truly worldwide scope," but changes are necessary if the Library is to fulfill its mandate in the future. The report's recommendations include:
The report is not binding, and the library is not required to act on its recommendations. James Billington, Librarian of Congress, said one of the main obstacles to carrying out the report's recommendations is financing. In its 2001 budget request, the library asked for a $21 million increase in the allocation for digital archiving; what it will actually receive is likely to fall far short of what is needed. To read the
full text of the report: NATIONWIDE ONLINE CONTINUING EDUCATION IN NORWAYOn August 15, Norway announced the launch of the world's first nationwide program for Internet-based adult learning. The Competence Network (NKN) is a joint effort by the Norwegian Federation of Trade Unions and the Confederation of Norwegian Business and Industry, designed to bring online learning opportunities to millions of people. Over 50 organizations will be providing content for the network, which uses technology developed by California learning management firm Saba. "Norway's competence network links employees at various sites throughout the country to personalized training and education from primary school to university-level establishments," said NKN's managing director, Sven Erik Skonberg. "Our goal is to implement an e-learning network that provides flexibility, speed in delivery of training solutions, and the ability to integrate multi-discipline learning applications - all on a platform that is accessible to all who desire, or require, training." A key benefit being claimed for the government-backed initiative is a substantial reduction in public and private sector training costs, currently estimated at 20 billion Norwegian kroner (about 3.3 billion Cdn) a year. Distance learning is seen as crucial in a country with a scattered population and where 97% of the workforce are in businesses with fewer than 20 employees. For more
information: U.S. CENSUS TO BE AVAILABLE ONLINEOn July 7, Heritage Quest (a subdivision of the SierraHome software company) announced that GenealogyDatabase.com, the world's largest collection of genealogy data and the only online collection of fully digitized U.S. Census images from 1790 to 1920, will be available by subscription in the fall of 2000. Only a handful of U.S. libraries own a complete set of Census editions on microfilm. This new genealogy resource will enable even the smallest libraries to provide this frequently requested tool for researching family histories, instantly displaying the original handwritten record pages of any town in the country. Annotations of genealogical significance have been added by professional researchers who have worked closely with these records over the last ten years. Users will also be able to post their own annotations and personal notes on individual pages, constructing a valuable thread of discussion and additional research regarding personal family history. As well, Heritage Quest is creating a searchable index of names from the hand-written Census. Index entries will be linked directly to the digitally enhanced image pages. The years 1790, 1800 and 1870 are currently indexed, and the remaining years are being indexed at the rate of 500,000 new entries each week. GenealogyDatabase.com will be available to libraries on a subscription basis for public use through their local library system. The site will also offer individual consumer subscriptions and a selection of free genealogy search tools. For more
information: TORONTO WATER BILLS NOW ONLINECanada Post's EPOST service and the City of Toronto have made it possible for Toronto residents to receive and pay their water bills online. The free service allows residents to retrieve their bill from EPOST's server. To use this service, Toronto residents must have access to Internet or telephone banking. Paper copies of the bills will no longer be mailed out to them. For more
information: ONLINE LIBRARY & INFORMATION SCIENCE COURSESThe University of Toronto's Faculty of Information Sciences will be offering three online distance- education courses this fall. All courses are conducted entirely through email, the Web, and chat. Study is self-paced, with weekly assignments and personal attention from the instructors. These courses are offered to all current TIG subscribers for $215 (per course) Cdn, which includes an automatic renewal to TIG for another six months. Regular price is $290. Mastering
Web Searching Current Awareness
Services on the Net Internet
Competitive Intelligence For more
information or to register online: USEFUL INTERNET RESOURCESE-preservation is a resource site which provides information on the creation, use and preservation of digital collections. It was developed through a cooperative effort between the National Library of Canada and the Canadian Initiative on Digital Libraries (CIDL). To visit
the site: The Canada Council for the Arts and the Canadian Children's Book Centre maintain a web site featuring the winners of the Governor General's Literary Awards for Children's Literature. On this site you will find the names of the authors and illustrators, and the titles of the books that won this prestigious award between 1987 and 1997. Synopses of the stories, reviews of the illustrations, bibliographies and biographies of the creators are also provided. To visit
the site: Oscar Peterson: A Jazz Sensation is a new Web site that provides a comprehensive and celebratory look at the life and achievements of this internationally acclaimed Canadian jazz pianist and composer. Taking its place alongside many of the other digital collections created by the National Library of Canada in conjunction with Canada's Digital Collections, it draws heavily from the Library's vast archive. It features newspaper and magazine articles by and about Oscar Peterson, memorabilia, a photo gallery and audio clips from some of his best-known compositions, including Canadiana Suite, his homage to the Canadian landscape. For more
information: The Canadian Architect and Builder, the only professional architectural journal published in Canada before World War I, is now available on-line. The entire contents of the 22 volume journal can now be browsed and searched, thanks, in part, to the collaboration of Mcgill University's Blackader-Lauterman Library of Architecture and Art and Canada's Digital Collections Program. For more
information: A new web site, "New Brunswick Commissions of Enquiry: The Early Years, 1784-1948," brings together images of 57 commission's reports conducted between 1784 and 1950 for the province of New Brunswick. (Commissions of enquiry are bodies created by a government to investigate, study or report on an issue of concern. The kinds of issues studied range from the state of prisons to status of industries in the province.) Partners in this project included the University of New Brunswick's Libraries, the UNB Electronic Text Centre, and the New Brunswick Legislative Library. For the first time, this resource is widely available through the Internet, with full indexing and illustrations, to anyone interested in researching New Brunswick's history, policy, politics and social issues. In addition to the final report of the commissions, the digital collection includes enabling legislation and background documents. Where possible, evidence, submissions, and minutes have been included as well. Users can search and browse in both official languages, but the material on the site is predominantly in English, since the working language of the government was English until 1967. To visit
the site: Industry Canada has joined forces with Human Resources Development Canada to create a new site called Employers Online (EOL), a one-stop information source designed to help SME employers save time and money in meeting their human resource-related needs and developing their business management skills. Everything from hiring subsidies, employment standards and recruitment services to statistics, studies and strategies for growth can be found on this useful site. To visit
the site: The Ohio Reflinks Project provides a comprehensive subject guide to the Internet for use in public libraries, organised according to the Dewey Decimal Classification System. The sites listed have met stringent criteria developed by librarians and library personnel, and are searchable. Users can submit sites, or volunteer to particiapte in the evaluation of links. Though strong on American content, links to European and Canadian sites can be found. To visit
the site: CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENTSE-Book 2000 Sponsored by NISO, the standards developer for the library and publishing communities, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, E-Book 2000 will bring together the key players in the E- Book world, including the technology experts, the content providers (publishers), and the users (educators, librarians, readers). Conference exhibits will feature the top companies supporting E-book technologies. For more
information or to register online: Showcase
Ontario : Delivering Service Excellence in the Year 2000 "Last year we sowed the seeds to transform public service in the 21st century. This year we are tending to the harvesting in order to reap the results for electronic government. Showcase Ontario 2000 will show you what we, together, have accomplished and what we, together, can build. Welcome to our Town of Showcase, Ontario, where your thoughts, ideas, and proactive energies can transform government and how citizens will view government in the 21st century." On September 7, the CEOs of Windsor, Oxford County, North Bay and Brantford Public Libraries will give a presentation on Library Electronic Services Delivery. The session will cover the advantages and pitfalls of providing public access to electronic government information and services to all Ontarians in a public environment. For more
information: NetSpeed
2000 For more
information: http://www.thealbertalibrary.ab.ca/netspeed/netspd2000/ Smart 2000
Conference & Exhibition The world of digital connectedness is changing the way we work, play, learn, and interact with others. Technology touches everything we do. Business, learning, health, the professions and community structures, are all undergoing profound change. Smart2000 is all about these issues. Keynotes, discussions, panels, forums and poster sessions are organized around the themes of Smart People, Smart Places, and Smart Policies. For more
information: Facets of
Digital Reference The second annual Digital Reference Conference will explore the nature of Internet-based, human-mediated information service in all contexts, by examining issues in providing digital reference and expert information service. For more
information: The 8th Dublin
Core Metadata Workshop The Dublin Core Metadata Initiative, in conjunction with the National Library of Canada, the IFLA UDT program, and OCLC, is pleased to announce the 8th Dublin Core Metadata Workshop. The conference will be of interest to librarians, museum informatics specialists, archivists, digital library researchers, government information providers, publishers, and content specialists who should have expertise and interest in advancing the state of Dublin Core standards or deployment. Major themes that will be developed include: issues in multi-lingual metadata, policies and functional requirements for metadata registries, structured representation, creation and management of name authority structures, and extending Dublin Core metadata for Domain-specific metadata entities. Registration must be completed online via the Workshop Registration Page, by September 1, 2000. For more
information: The European
Conference on Digital Libraries For more information: ECDL2000@bn.pt Please visit the updated program at: http://www.bn.pt/org/agenda/ecdl2000 If
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