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January 2003 LibraryNet Monthly TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. THE ROLE OF LIBRARIES IN INNOVATION The National Summit on Innovation and Learning was held in Toronto on November 18-19, 2002, and a number of library organizations and libraries (including the CLA and the NLC) presented briefs. Two of the key documents developed at the Summit discuss public libraries, especially in relation to broadband delivery, public access, and digital copyright. The summit's objectives were to engage the private sector, non-governmental organizations, academia, and government in shaping the priorities for Canada's innovation strategy; and seeking commitment from all sectors for a Canadian innovation and learning action plan. A summary of the information presented at the summit stresses the role that libraries play in public computer access. Libraries are seen as one of the key partners in the Innovation Strategy, and as a necessary recipient of new funding, particularly considering the inherent difficulties of rural and northern access. The threat digital copyright poses to public access is mentioned and libraries are seen in terms of public access, long term storage, and the centrality of their role in community access. A synopsis of the summit discussions which includes a number of recommendations also talks about libraries and their roles in community access, literacy, content creation, and immigrant assistance. Again, broadband access and digital copyright are seen as natural areas of library interest. Public libraries are highlighted as the main locus for providing broadband delivery in remote and rural areas. For more
information on the Summit: To read the
full text of the briefs: 2. VIRTUAL REFERENCE CANADA LAUNCHED The Library and Archives of Canada recently announced the introduction of a new networked virtual reference service, Virtual Reference Canada (VRC). VRC will link libraries, archives, museums, and other institutions that offer reference services. VRC member institutions will benefit from the richness of the collections of a vast array of Canadian institutions, and from the knowledge and expertise of their staff. By taking advantage of the flexibility offered by five Canadian time zones, institutions may receive answers to their questions even when closed. For more
information on participating in VRC: 3. ONLINE CANADIAN GENEALOGY CENTRE MOVES CLOSER TO COMPLETION The National Archives continues its work on the creation of the Canadian Genealogy Centre (CGC), intended to serve as a single point of access to all of the genealogical resources available across Canada. In preparation for the new CGC, a survey done by Ipsos-Reid for the National Archives found that one-quarter of Canadians are willing to order and pay for genealogical research services and products, such as online databases, family trees, conventions, and books on genealogy. The CGC will offer both free and for-fee services, advice, and research tools to genealogists and the Canadian public. The website has been soliciting survey responses from users; the final results will be posted on the website at the time of its official launch, which is currently scheduled for March 2003. To view the
site: 4. HALIFAX LIBRARY'S IT SKILLS PROJECT A SUCCESS The Halifax Regional Library (HRL) recently developed 10 introductory computer skills modules for its IT Skills project, made possible through a grant from Human Resources and Development Canada (HRDC). Two staff were hired to develop and implement the modules, as well as train library staff to ensure that HRL will be able to repeat these IT workshops in the future. A total of 175 sessions, covering everything from Hands-On Computer Basics to Advanced E-Mail, are being offered at all fourteen HRL branches. The Library is receiving an incredible response to these programs. So far, the popular workshops have attracted 1375 people, most of whom were seniors or job seekers looking to become more familiar with increasingly complex technology and for help with job searches. Comments from attendees included: that they hadn't known the library was "more than just books"; that now they were confident enough to buy their own computers; and that after 40 years in the workforce, they were happy to finally be up to date with the technology they had missed out on. For more
information: 5. ONLINE HEALTH INFORMATION NUMBER ONE FOR CANADIANS According to Ipsos Reid's 2002 Canadian Inter@ctive report, looking for online health information is the No. 1 Internet activity among Canadians of all ages. The survey found that more Canadians go online to look up health info (66 per cent) than conduct their banking (49 per cent), shop (43 per cent), or even send joke emails (59 per cent). Interest in health information online has gone up significantly since the fall of 2000, the last time this survey was conducted, when 55 per cent of Canadians reported searching the net for it. Women are far more likely than men to research health information online (76% vs. 56%), and health care information is the leading cause of people aged 55 and older getting online. Their participation rate (64 per cent) in this category is nearly on a par with the 35-54 and 18-34 age groups, 67 per cent of whom go online to look for health answers. The results are based on 1000 telephone interviews and 1000 online interviews with Canadian adults, conducted in September and October, 2002. For more
information: Health-related websites currently rank among the most popular destinations for Internet users worldwide, not just Canadians. In response to the rapid growth of health information on the net, the European Commission released a set of criteria for websites providing health information to EU citizens in December. The essential principle of the guidelines is that a health-related website must state clearly its target audience, and "ensure that both the style and nature of the information, and its presentation, are appropriate for the chosen audience". According to the Commission, national and regional health authorities, professional associations, and private website owners are now expected to implement the criteria in a manner "appropriate to their website and consumers." To read
the guidelines (in PDF format): 6. NEW STUDY: DO PORN FILTERS STILL BLOCK ACCESS TO HEALTH INFORMATION? The new "See No Evil: How Internet Filters Affect the Search for Online Health Information" study by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation reports that Internet filtering software, used primarily on public computers to block adult content, shuts out educational materials as well. The study results indicate that, at the least restrictive level, filters block access to 87% of online pornography and incorrectly block 1.4% of health sites covering subjects such as tobacco use, sexual health and depression. The highest security setting blocks only marginally more pornographic sites (91%), but also blocks 24% of health sites. Blocking of sites on sexual health issues such as condoms and safe sex was higher at all levels: from 9% at the least restrictive setting to as much as 50% of all sites at the most restrictive setting. Analysis and reporting of the survey results has differed widely according to policy stance or bias. The report's authors said in a statement that "setting filtering software to block only pornography will not necessarily have a serious impact on access to general health information, but more restrictive settings may indeed have an impact. And even pornography-only restriction settings may bar computer users from seeing information on sexual health." Several newspaper articles cited the study as proof that filtering "works." On the other hand, the American Library Association (ALA) emphasized the study results that "filters fail to block 13 percent of pornography sites while denying access to important health information." The study was conducted for the Foundation by Dr. Caroline Richardson of the University of Michigan Medical School and Dr. Paul Resnick of the University of Michigan School of Information. Researchers conducted online searches of 24 health topics (such as breast cancer, diabetes, and birth control) and six pornographic terms across six different search engines. The more than 3,000 health and 500 pornography sites that came up during these searches were then systematically tested against the six filters most widely used in schools and libraries: 8e6, CyberPatrol, N2H2, SmartFilter, Symantec, and Websense. As well as appearing online, the study was published in the December 11, 2002 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). To read selected
portions of the report (in PDF format): 7. A SNAPSHOT OF NOVA SCOTIA LIBRARY USERS In the summer of 2002, the nine Regional Libraries in Nova Scotia conducted a survey to provide a description of Nova Scotia library users; determine their assessment of the contribution made to communities by public libraries; and to assess their satisfaction with library services. Users who responded to the survey highly value their public libraries and are very satisfied with the services they provide. The most common reasons that users visited the library are to borrow materials for pleasure, to seek information to support a hobby or personal interest, to support schoolwork, or to use a computer. Specific services used most often by survey respondents include videos, Internet access, large print books, and information about community activities, events and community history. It is important to note that computers for Internet access and word processing, job search information and large print books are used more by people with incomes less than $30,000 per year, suggesting that public libraries are helping to ensure equal access to technology and information. Over half of the survey respondents indicated that they use the library to support their work, business or school-related activities. Respondents clearly view the library as an important part of their community. The library is seen as a community asset that provides intellectual stimulation, entertainment, and social contact. Free access to a variety of materials for all members of the public is seen as a major benefit of the library. A respondent from the Western Counties Region commented that "I could not imagine living in a place where there was not a library... libraries link people and communities together." To read the
full text of the survey analysis (in PDF format): 8. AMERICANS BELIEVE THEY CAN FIND INFORMATION ONLINE According to a new report by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, even self-described Internet "non-users" have very high expectations for the information available on the Internet. "The Internet has become such a go-to tool in America that even non-Internet users think it's an effective way to get information," said John Horrigan, a senior research specialist at Pew. The "Counting on the Internet" report found that expectations for topics such as health care, government, news, and shopping were particularly high. 64 percent of non-users assumed that they could research at least one of these topics online, and 16 percent said that they would turn to the Internet first the next time they needed health care or government information. 97% of Americans who do use the Internet expected to find information in one or more of the categories. Nearly three in five said they would check the Internet first for health care or government information. At least 70% of the people who have sought information in each category say they usually found what they were seeking. The highest success rates were for news and shopping information; government ranked the lowest. The full
report is available at: 9. INTERNET BOOKING SOFTWARE CLIENT LIST EXPANDS This month, the Ottawa Public Library joins the list of Canadian public libraries using Library Online, an online Internet PAC booking software package developed in Canada. Some of Library Online's features include: the ability for patrons to book computer time in advance over the internet or from branches; automatic control of allowable patron time per day across all branches; a count down module on all library PCs; and statistical reporting on computer use patterns. The Richmond Public Library won the 2000 CLA/Information Today Award for Innovative Technology for its role in developing Library Online. The software is already in use in several large library systems across North America, including Edmonton, Winnipeg, San Francisco, and Seattle. For more
information: 10. WWW.VISITWINDSOR.COM LAUNCHED The Convention & Visitors Bureau of Windsor, Essex County & Pelee Island (CVB) has launched a new website presenting travel and tourism resources in the area. According to the CVB, online travel sites are now the number one research tools of choice for online travelers. As an important marketing tool, Visitwindsor.com features virtual tours of the region, interactive Geographic Information Systems (GIS) maps, and a search tool to make finding information easy. Specialized information is also available for travel agents, media professionals, and people considering relocation to the area. Windsor Public Library and its Windsor-Essex Centre of Digital Expertise (WECODE) provided design and technical expertise to the project. Funding from the Industry Canada Knowledge Based Economy Fund, and the Ontario Ministry of Culture's Library Strategic Development Fund (Digital Alliances Component) was also instrumental in building the website. To visit
the site: 11. TWO NEW FRANCOMMUNAUTES VIRTUELLES PROJECTS Two new grants from the Francommunautés virtuelles program to francophone organizations in Newfoundland were announced in December. The Conseil scolaire francophone provincial de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador and the Association francophone de Saint-Jean (AFSJ) will each receive financial assistance of up to $75,000. The school board plans to develop a French-language guide to searching for information on the web for teachers, librarians, students, and the general public. The AFSJ will set up a catalogue of its collection which will be available online and integrated into the resource centre of the St. John's School and Community Centre. Francommunautés virtuelles supports innovative French-language projects that meet the needs expressed by Francophone and Acadian communities. This year, Industry Canada, in partnership with Canadian Heritage, will provide $4 million in order to create original French-language content on the Internet. For more
information: 12. CANADIAN STUDENTS AMONG WORLD LEADERS IN COMPUTER ACCESS Canadian students rank among the highest in the world in terms of access to computers both at home and at school, according to studies released by Statistics Canada. In 2000, a typical 15-year-old Canadian student attended a school at which there was one computer for every six students, well above the average of one computer for every 13 students within member nations of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Access to computers was even higher at home. Nearly 9 out of every 10 young Canadians had a computer at home, and 7 out of 10 had access to the Internet at home. Home Internet access in Canada, also exceeded the OECD average (45%). For more
information: 13. CLEVELAND LIBRARY LENDING EBOOKS ONLINE The Cleveland Public Library (CPL) is launching an eBook lending library that will allow patrons to download publications onto their PCs and personal digital assistants. It is believed to be the first program of its kind in a public library. The new eBook collection, to go online in March, will operate much the same as a traditional library loan. Patrons will need to have a CPL card to download books, only a limited number of each eBook will be available, and after a preset loan period, the eBook will lock out the current reader so that another patron can check it out. About a thousand titles, including the latest bestsellers, will be available as eBooks. CPL Director Andrew Venable said the system would allow people to borrow books of all types "from the comfort of their home or office." Libraries across North America, including the Richmond (B.C.) Library, have experimented with various approaches to lending e-books and reading devices. However, such projects have been slow to take off so far due to a lack of demand and publishers' fears that works will be copied and distributed for free. For more
information: 14. NEW LIBRARY OF ALEXANDRIA INCLUDES INTERNET ARCHIVE The new Biblioteca Alexandrina, a $CDN 3.2 million dollar project that took more than a decade to build, opened last fall. The imposing building, with a tilted roof intended to symbolize the rising sun, has space for 2000 readers and 8 million books (although the actual collection is considerably smaller). It also contains 200 PCs with copies of nearly every public web page posted since 1996, a duplicate of the original Internet Archive that resides on a San Francisco server. Brewster Kahle, founder of the Internet Archive, was so impressed by the enthusiasm of Egyptians reviving the Alexandrina Library that he donated a copy of the archive, along with a book scanner so that the library could begin to digitize its own collection. The website of the Biblioteca Alexandrina also makes 2000 hours of Egyptian and American television and 1000 archival films available online. For more
information: 15. NEW RESOURCE FOR CREATING EDUCATIONAL GAMES Quia (the Quintessential Instructional Archive) bills itself as the Internet's "leading technology resource for educators." It provides a variety of educational services, including a directory of online activities and quizzes in more than 50 subject areas. For public and school libraries, the most interesting feature is the ability to use their templates to create online games (from flashcards and matching games to word search and hangman), quizzes, class webpages, calendars, and surveys. Quiz administration and reporting tools are also available. A thirty-day trial membership is free, after which users can decide if they are interested in a yearly subscription. For an example of what can be done, take a look at the Mercer County Library System (New Jersey) page on Quia. They've used the templates to create reading games linked from their youth services page. For more
information: 16. SMART COMMUNITIES CITYSOUP.CA PORTAL LAUNCHED The British Columbia Smart Communities citysoup.ca project was officially launched on December 6, 2002. Citysoup.ca is an online portal providing Coquitlam and Port Moody residents with fast and easy access to community services. Users can shop online, share their concerns with municipal government officials, and quickly find information on the activities and services available in their cities. The project's four founding partners - the towns of Coquitlam and Port Moody, British Columbia School District 43, and Douglas College - recognized that electronic service delivery represents an effective way to maintain or even expand service levels without increasing costs. They have pooled their resources through the Smart Choices project to supply community services via the Internet. Beyond the online component of the project, there are several education, business, and outreach initiatives planned as part of Smart Choices. Education programs will link those who want to learn about technology with volunteer coaches and mentors. The project plan also calls for the use of IVR (interactive voice recognition) technology to allow access to Smart Choices services via the telephone. Community Access Points will be installed to facilitate anywhere anytime access at community gathering places like libraries, women's centres, and youth shelters. A Smart Community and Business Centre is also in development, so residents can drop in to conduct online projects any time. The Centre will also provide resources and additional support for small businesses. The Smart Communities program is part of the federal government's Connecting Canadians initiative. $4.5 million will be invested in 12 selected smart communities (one in each province, one in the North and one Aboriginal community), designed to help develop the information and communication technology resources and skills Canada needs to become one of the world's most innovative countries. For more
information: 17. COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY TO CLOSE FATHOM.COM On January 13, Columbia University announced that it plans to close Fathom.com, its money-losing online learning portal, by the end of March 2003. The Fathom.com site, which was launched in early 2000 (see LNM April 2000), offered access to thousands of online courses and knowledge products for a fee, and offered free seminars and free access to articles, interviews, lectures, and reference materials. Fathom said that it aimed to become a "main street" for knowledge and education, serving a worldwide audience of business and individual users. Founding partners of the Fathom consortium included The London School of Economics and Political Science, Cambridge University Press, The British Library, Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History, and The New York Public Library. However, these prestigious institutions were not able to draw enough paying online learners to make the venture a success. During the 2001 fiscal year, Fathom received a total of $US 14.9 million from the University but generated only $700,000 from outside institution fees and sales revenues. Fathom's demise follows those of other for-profit online-learning ventures at New York University, Temple University, and the University of Maryland University College. For more information: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/news/03/01/digital_media.html http://fathom.com/ 18. BUSH SIGNS E-GOVERNMENT BILL On December 17, U.S. President George W. Bush signed the E-Government Act of 2002, which earmarks $345 million over the next four years for federal technology projects. In an effort to simplify the flow of information between American federal agencies and the general public, the Act establishes an Office of Information within the Office of Management and Budget, which will be responsible for coordinating the government's electronic information resources. The law also mandates the creation of an "Online National Library," to be developed by the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institution, the National Science Foundation, the National Park Service, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The Online Library is intended to provide public access to materials "significant for education and research in United States history and culture" and to be fully integrated, so that a user can access the resources of the Library "without regard to the boundaries of the member institutions." US$5 million in funding for development of this Online Library is allocated to each of the Library of Congress and the National Science Foundation in the fiscal year 2002. In addition, the Act authorizes funding for the U.S. government Internet portal, Firstgov.gov, to organize on-line government information and services "according to citizen needs, not agency jurisdiction," and requires that online publications such as a federal telephone directory be created. For more
information: IFLA Satellite
Meeting: "E-formation au management des bibliothèques" The objective of this pre-congress is to explore the use of computer training in library management and marketing. Potential topics include, but are not restricted to: distance learning, teaching and student evaluation, professional assistance tools (project management etc.), software platforms, and co-operative training. For more
information: Web-Wise
2003 The theme of the fourth annual Conference on Libraries and Museums in the Digital World is "Sustaining Digital Resources." Discussions will focus on preservation and economic issues, as well as on opportunities for increasing impacts and reaching new audiences. The conference will also highlight a number of innovative new digital projects. The target audience is all those involved in the creation and use of digital resources, including library, museum, and archives professionals, computer scientists, educators, and learners. For more
information or to register: Internet
Librarian International 2003 The fifth annual Internet Librarian International (ILI) showcases leading edge ideas and tools as well as exciting new technologies focused on information professionals. ILI is the only international conference for information professionals who are using, developing, and embracing web-based strategies in their roles as information navigators, webmasters, content evaluators, and product developers. Conference tracks include: Survival Skills for Internet Librarians, Web Design & Development, Digital Libraries and Electronic Resources, Intranets & Portals, and Information Literacy. For more
information or to register: Principes
de veille stratégique A one-day workshop on the principles of strategic and competitive intelligence. Tuition is $225 (including taxes, lunch, and course material). For more information or to register: http://www.ebsi.umontreal.ca/prog/formcont/veille.html Céline Lapierre
Certificate in Genealogical Studies - Librarianship This new online program, aimed at librarians who assist genealogists with their research, is presented by the National Institute for Genealogical Studies together with the Professional Learning Centre of the Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto. The program consists of 10 compulsory courses (each 10 weeks) and 2 elective courses (ranging from 4 to 8 weeks in length). Students can register for individual courses or select various group packages. A discount is offered when selecting packages; discounts are also available to libraries or societies that register more than 5 students. For more
information or to register: How to Find Medical Information on the Internet Register for this course at any time and complete it at your own pace. This online workshop involves individually paced work, both with the instructor and with other students via email and scheduled online meetings. Students will also receive a printed workbook. The course counts as 6 credit hours towards the Medical Library Association's Consumer Health Information Specialization. Tuition is $US 100. For more
information or to register: Census Finder A directory offering thousands of links to free census information - primarily American data, but also with some links for Canada, the United Kingdom, and Norway. Other features include a section for Native American information. Library Surveys & Questionnaires This website includes links to specific examples of online library surveys, articles on survey construction and administration, and survey writing software. http://web.syr.edu/~jryan/infopro/survey.html Library Terms That Users Understand This website includes links to usability studies, suggested best practices, and a list of related resources, with the goal of helping library web developers "decide how to label key resources and services in such a way that most users can understand them." From a librarian at the University of California, Berkeley. http://www.jkup.net/terms.html Miscositas Developed for both students and teachers, this multicultural site contains a collection of short online picture books in English, French, and Spanish. There are suggested curricula for each story in the respective languages. Netspeed 2002 Conference Presentations Presentation slides (in Powerpoint format) are now available for most of the sessions given at the Netscape 2002 conference this past October. http://www.thealbertalibrary.ab.ca/netspeed/ New Map of Public Libraries Across Canada Industry Canada's online map of Canada now includes all of the public libraries across the country, thanks to information submitted to LibraryNet. To see Canadian library locations, click on "Other IHAB Programs" on the right side of the page. A new window will pop up; click the boxes beside LibraryNet, and all the libraries in Canada will appear on the map. Use the Info tool (the button marked 'i') to get more information about each library. http://geospatial.ic.gc.ca/ihab-dgaai/ Plays Index This new online index allows users to search the collection of more than 3000 plays available at the Cape Breton Regional Library by author, title, audience type, or number of characters. This project was made possible with the help of LibraryNet. http://www.cbrl.ca/search/plays.html Ultrabug Cliposcope The NFB's new Internet feature allows kids to make their own short animated films. Budding animators choose a background, characters, actions, and props, then manipulate and combine these elements into a sequence. Kids can email their movie to friends or submit it for a chance to become clip of the month. http://www.nfbkids.ca/cliposcope/ Web4Lib This long-running electronic discussion for library-based web managers covers (among other things) web site design, cataloging and metadata issues regarding web information, creating and maintaining secure public web stations, and training staff or users to use the web. http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/Web4Lib/ If
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