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March 2001 LibraryNet Monthly TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. LIBRARYNET TEACHER-LIBRARIAN LINKSLibraryNet has created a new page featuring some of the best Internet resources for teacher-librarians. Links are provided to material such as readers advisory booklists, review journals, directories of publishers, ready reference websites, collections of library policies, and listservs or newsgroups for professional associations. To consult
the new links: 2. INDUSTRY MINISTER APPEARS BEFORE STANDING COMMITTEEOn March 13, Minister of Industry Brian Tobin appeared before the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology on the government's "innovation agenda". Minister Tobin said that the goal of the federal government is "to build a more inclusive, knowledge- based society for all Canadians." Minister Tobin mentioned SchoolNet and the Community Access Program as important elements of the Connecting Canadians initiative, and reaffirmed the government's commitment to broadband Internet access. The recently formed National Broadband Task Force will advise the government on how citizens in smaller communities can also get access to health, learning and government and business services over the Internet by 2004. The federal government is also continuing its efforts to put its services online by 2004. For the full
text of the minister's speech: 3. NUNAVUT LIBRARIES RECEIVE GATES FUNDINGOn March 21, 2001, during a meeting of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Minister of Education, Peter Kilabuk announced that public libraries in Nunavut will receive a grant of $486,000 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support public access computing and Internet access. The grant will fund the installation of 27 computers and Internet access in 11 Nunavut public libraries, as well as two mobile laptop labs used for training library patrons. Separately, Microsoft Canada will donate software with a retail value of $124,445 to all libraries receiving foundation grants. Week-long training for library staff in Seattle, upgraded hardware to provide wireless Internet access for the libraries, and one help desk station are also included in the gift. The people of Nunavut will now be able to turn to their public libraries to access information throughout the territory," said Carol Erickson, International Library Programs Manager for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "The foundation is particularly excited that the laptop lab component of this gift will allow everyone -- regardless of geography throughout the territory -- to take advantage of the important role technology can play in improving people's lives." For more
information: To read the
full text of the document: 4. CANADIAN LIBRARIES TARGETS OF THEFT AND VANDALISMUpgrading computer equipment brings many benefits, but appears to be presenting problems for libraries. Westminster Public Library, Fraser Valley Regional Library and Richmond Public Library have each had computer equipment stolen in recent months. The New Westminster Public Library experienced two separate incidents. The first was a "smash and grab" in the middle of the night. A large plate glass window was broken and the thieves cut the cables from the computer closest to it. In the second incident, a window was forced open and the two computers closest to the point of entry were stolen. In both cases only the CPUs were taken. The NWPL also experienced problems with the theft of RAM from computers. The front plastic panel on the machines was easily removed, offering access to the RAM chips. The library has since installed metal plates on these machines to block access. The NWPL found that security cables were difficult to secure effectively to the computers and the furniture but is still working on this. Their plan for the future is to move toward a "thin client" configuration as older equipment is replaced, hiding and bolting down the clients. The Fraser Valley Regional Library has experienced three separate thefts. In November 2000 a computer was stolen from Langley City Library during opening hours. Two nighttime thefts occurred as well. In January 2001, all of the CPUs were stolen from the George Mackie Library by someone who used a pickup truck to crash through the loading dock doors. On February 8, 2001 someone broke the glass front door of the Brookswood Library in Langley Township and stole one of the CPUs as well as most of the other equipment in the library. Richmond Public Library had two computers stolen within a week of their installation. The thieves entered the library through a glass door on the main floor, close to where the computers were located, in the Youth Services department. Cables were cut to remove the CPUs but the monitors were left behind. In the past, a wire cable security system was used to attach each computer to the desk, but these security measures did not fit the new computers. The library was in the process of having a new hardware security system installed when the theft occurred. The installation was completed very quickly after the theft, and the City of Richmond replaced the two computers that were stolen. For more
information: 5. NEW PUBLIC LIBRARY WEBSITESThree new websites debut this month from Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library, Halifax Regional Library and the Calgary Public Library. Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library has just completed the redesign of its website, funded in part by the SchoolNet/LibraryNet Youth Employment Initiative. The attractive interface allows patrons to access online services such as the Virtual Information Desk, sign up for a library card, and order materials through Books By Mail thanks to improvements in the site's web forms. Of particular interest are the outstanding local history and culture digital collections. This fourth generation website is based on community input and what people want to see from the public library. Future plans include building more help feature into the site and focusing on the library's Summer Reading site. The first week of April, Halifax Regional Library (HRL) will be launching a new and improved website, the "e-branch". The new HRL website offers a convenient alternative for individuals who find it difficult to visit a physical branch. Visitors to the e-branch will be able to register for a library card online, check the library's collection and reserve the books they want from home or office. Patrons will also be able to "Ask a Librarian" questions online, and find periodical articles, with easy access to InfoTrac. Through the Readers Café, they can gather ideas on what to read next, suggest a title for the library to purchase, review a book online, access best-seller lists and join an online book club. The Calgary Public Library (CPL) website has been completely redesigned - right down to the domain name. New additions include: Classics On-line, PDF versions of classic books (adult and children's) available for reading on-line or downloading; Special Indexes, which allow searching for a particular play or song from the hundreds of thousands of anthologies in the collection; 4 new online Chapter-a-day services; detailed GIS maps showing exactly where each of their 16 locations are and how to get there; and much more. (If you are prompted to enter a library card number while sampling the site, use 29065011795499.) To visit
the new websites: 6. CANADIAN LIBRARIES ENTER E-LEARNING PARTNERSHIPLibraries across the country are now providing online learning in partnership with FirstClass Systems Corporation. Thirteen libraries - mostly from BC and Ontario, but also including the Halifax Regional Library - currently offer their patrons access to the Online Learning Centre (OLC). The first library to develop this partnership was the Richmond Public Library in BC. FirstClass approached them with the proposal, but the service was a true collaboration and co-development. The RPL has offered OLC since July 2000. RPL provided the OLC specifically to target people at home - people who work at home, stay at home parents, etc. and that seems mostly to be where people are accessing the courses from. According to Greg Buss, Chief Librarian at RPL, the service is being used, but traffic has improved with a recent revamping of the site, and expansion in the number of courses offered; Greg said he thinks "it will take time for the service to really build up, since it is a novel idea to the public". Shirley Lew, Information Specialist at RPL says that it has been "an incredible resource for training in-house staff." Surrey PL is also using it to train staff. FirstClass is a Canadian company based in Surrey. Use of the OLC is not heavy yet, but traffic has begun to increase. The company expects this to continue as it implements feedback-driven content changes within the next month or so (users have asked for shorter, less expensive courses). Before the collaboration with RPL, FirstClass' main market was in corporate solutions and online training; they would like to see their partnerships with libraries continue to grow. In the future, they intend to develop courses in business skills training and investing, as well as some children's content. FirstClass has even received calls from American libraries expressing interest in their service. For more
information: 7. WESTERN VALLEY SMART COMMUNITY PROJECTThe Western Valley Smart Community Project was launched on February 24, in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia. Over 300 people attended the event, which included presentations and an exposition of the products and services of project partners. The public libraries in the region, Western Counties Regional Library and Annapolis Valley Regional Library, are two of those project partners. They will team up to create one virtual library to serve all the Western Valley, as well as several other counties. Trudy Amirault, Regional Library Director for Western Counties Regional Library points out, "Since the Western Valley is a rural region, it's not possible for some people to access the library when it's open. We want to offer a full range of public library services right from their homes." The two library systems together have 21 branches and two bookmobiles. The virtual library will feature online book ordering, online registration as a library user, and an "Ask-a-Librarian" information inquiry section. Other activities of the Smart Community will include the installation of high speed Internet technologies, a hundred free-standing Internet kiosks in public locations, e-mail addresses issued to all 43,000 residents of the region (based on phone number, i.e. 9026654083@westernvalley.ns.ca), and the digitization of original census records dating back to the very first French settlers in North America. For more
information: 8. BC LIBRARIES LAUNCH COIN-OPERATED PRINTERSeveral BC public libraries have enthusiastically adopted the CASI SparkNet NK2000, an easy-to-use pay-by-page printing system. Using a selfserve printer station at a central location, which receives jobs from networked computers, library patrons select their print job, respond to a prompt to put coins in a slot (amount determined by the library) and out comes the hard copy. The SparkNet NK2000 was developed by BC company Currency Activated Systems Inc. (CASI). CASI is about to market the SparkNet NK2000 nationally; demonstration models are currently in Saskatoon and will be in Edmonton and Red Deer in April. The unit sells for $6,850, including a high capacity laser printer. Janet Horn of the Vancouver Public Library (VPL) says that the NK2000 is the library's first experience with network printing; so far, both staff and patrons love it. The VPL initially installed four printers in their main branch. The new peripheral was so successful that they purchased four for branch libraries plus three more for the main branch. The coin-operated aspect means there was no confusion with existing copy machine cards. CASI also markets its public computer administration software program called Sparknet NP800, which limits patron time and logs computer use and offers users advanced booking of terminals. The Fraser Valley Public Library (FWPL) uses a total of eight coin-operated printers at central and branch libraries. Rob O'Brennan, Director of Systems & Technical Services, says that, unexpected by the library staff, the printers are paying for themselves. The FVPL has also asked for a price quote on the time-out function of the Sparknet software. For more
information: 9. HOMELESS IN CINCINNATI: A LIBRARY SUCCESS STORYA recent article by Karen Samples in the Cincinnati Enquirer tells the story of Mark Pierce, a 43 year-old homeless man who changed his life through libraries and the Internet. In his own words, he was "tired, depressed, resentful and hateful" - then Mr. Pierce found the Internet. Using the free computers at public libraries, Mr. Pierce learned HTML and website design. He made friends through e-mail and shared his expertise with them. Despite some clashes with library staff, Mr. Pierce continued to learn and access the Internet. Today, he works at the Recovery Network of Northern Kentucky (which offers free computer access to people recovering from substance abuse or mental illness) for 16 hours a week, and designs Web pages on the side. Three months ago, he took his biggest step yet, moving into an apartment. He'll also soon receive his first home computer, in exchange for re-designing the website of the Northern Kentucky Mental Health Association. Do you have a similar tale to share? Has someone in your community turned their life around or discovered new horizons through library access to the Internet? Share it with us through the SchoolNet and LibraryNet Success Story page. For more
information: To send us
a success story: 10. COURT OF APPEALS DECIDES LIBRARIES NEED NOT BLOCK CONTENTThe California Court of Appeal has decided that public libraries in that state are not required to block access to pornographic sites on the Internet. In a decision believed to be the first of its kind, a three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal in San Diego ruled that libraries cannot be held liable when youngsters peruse pornographic material on Internet sites. "A public library is in a 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' situation in deciding whether to restrict access to the Internet from its computers to prevent harm to minors," the court wrote. A woman identified as Kathleen R. brought the case after her 12-year-old son downloaded sexually explicit photographs at a city library in Livermore, a community of 70,000 about 60 miles east of San Francisco. The boy viewed pornographic sites on about 10 occasions. The mother alleged that the boy suffered psychological harm and sued to prevent Livermore's libraries from dispensing obscene material on computers used by children. More than 50 California cities had sided with Livermore in the case, Kathleen R. vs. City of Livermore. As of March 14, the attorney for Kathleen R. said that he had not yet decided whether to appeal the decision. For more
information: 11. SCOUT REPORT FEATURES CDC WEBSITESThree websites from Canada's Digital Collections were featured in the February 20 Scout Report for Social Sciences & Humanities. Ghosts of the Northwest Coast (a BC Heritage Websites Program project), Story of the Missouri Coteau Region, and Industrial Hamilton: A Trail to the Future were recommended as Learning Resources. The last website, a creation of the Hamilton Public Library, was singled out for special praise by the Scout Report. "Of all three sites, this one offers the most comprehensive coverage of its topic and seems to be geared especially for advanced students and even, to some degree, researchers. Aficionados of industrial history on the Web will definitely want to check this one out." The Scout Report is a series of publications on new and newly discovered Internet resources of interest to researchers and educators in various fields. Each issue offers a selective collection of Internet resources chosen by librarians and content specialists in the given area of study. To view the
digital collections: For more
information on the Scout Report: 12. STATSCAN RELEASES INNOVATION ANALYSIS BULLETINThe February 2001 issue of the Innovation Analysis Bulletin is now available on the Statistics Canada website. The latest bulletin gives brief information on household internet use, Internet by cable, Canadian telecom wireless initiatives, intellectual property commercialization, and more. To view the
Bulletin (in PDF format): For more
information: 13. ICT FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE"Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for Developing Countries: Bridging the Digital Divide" is a new online course being offered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Graduate School from April 16 to June 25, 2001. A demonstration site has been set up at http://www.blackboard.com/courses/100867. Log in as a guest (ignore the notice that the course is not open for enrollment) to view the preliminary syllabus and some other documents that show what an online course using the Blackboard software looks like. Tuition is US$250. Enrollment will be limited to 25 participants on a first-come first serve basis. For more
information or to register: 14. WIRELESS LIBRARIES DISCUSSION LISTA new group to discuss libraries and all types of wireless technologies has been created. Topics include, but are not limited to, wireless LANs in libraries, accessing library resources via wireless devices, and related issues such as WLANs, wireless bookmobiles, etc. To subscribe,
send a blank e-mail message to: For more
information: 15. INFORMATION SOCIETY INDEX 2001 RELEASEDAccording to the fifth IDC/World Times Information Society Index (ISI), the Nordic nations are best positioned to benefit from the information revolution. Sweden continues its reign as the number-one ranked information society. The United States, which ranked second in 2000, fell to fourth as Norway, which was fourth last year, climbed into second place. Canada is ranked twelfth. The ISI ranks 55 countries according to their ability to participate in the information revolution by accessing and absorbing information and information technology. It takes into account both the level of technological advancement in a country and the availability of that technology to the general populace. Ratings are based on four categories: computer, information, Internet and social infrastructures. "To reap the full benefits of the information society, countries really need to be strong in all four areas," said John Gantz, chief research officer at IDC. "Toward that end, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland are best positioned." For more
information: 16. USEFUL INTERNET RESOURCES"Building
the Virtual Reference Desk in a 24/7 World" Resources
for library assessment: Tools for a new era Librarians
and Information Science - Suite101.com Innovative
Internet Applications in Libraries 17. CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENTSGovernment
on the Net 01 GovNet 01 will be a premier learning opportunity, in a forum designed by, and for, Canadian public servants. It is your chance to exchange ideas with top-notch speakers from within the public and private sectors, as they address the Internet issues that define technology in government. GovNet was one of the first Internet conferences to go beyond technology and to examine content and social considerations. GovNet 01 will again demonstrate leadership in this area giving you access to dynamic speakers, and exciting workshops. For more
information: Partnering
in Broadband Community Networks in Ontario The Ministry of Energy Science and Technology, in partnership with Connecting Niagara, is pleased to announce the third Broadband Community Networks in Ontario Conference. This will be a prime opportunity for participants to exchange information, make new contacts and establish momentum in the Ontario-wide movement toward broadband community networking. For more
information please contact: If
you have information you would like featured in the next issue of LibraryNet
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