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October 2001 LibraryNet Monthly TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION POLICYThe proceedings of this year's Annual Conference of the Canadian Association for Information Science were recently published. One of the papers, entitled "Libraries as Instruments of Public Policy: The Role of Canadian Public Libraries in 'Connecting Canadians'," examined the response of public libraries in Canada to the federal government's 'Connecting Canadians' policy and to the increasing pervasiveness of information technology in general. The paper includes a review of the professional literature on public libraries' response to IT, which draws some interesting conclusions about the differing responses of U.S. and Canadian libraries, and a content analysis of the websites of public libraries in Canada's 22 largest cities. The paper was co-authored by Heidi Julien of the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Alberta and Michelle Halliwell of the School of Library and Information Science at Dalhousie University. For more
information: 2. STUDENTS WASTING TIME SEARCHING ONLINECanadian students using the Internet are wasting too much time searching for credible information, according to a new survey commissioned by ElectricLibrary Canada. The survey looked at 315 Canadian households with children in Grades 9 to 12, and was conducted in September 2001. It found that the Internet has become the top homework resource for 52.7 per cent of students. In second place were books, encyclopedias and CD-ROMs, while magazines and newspapers were third. When using the Internet, 65.7 per cent of the students said they spend more than half their time rejecting unusable material. The survey, which also asked parents about their perceptions of the Internet, found that only 3.8 per cent of both adults and students believe that all information they find on the Net is accurate. Western Canadian students were most skeptical, with only 1.8 per cent believing all information is accurate. Only 23.5 per cent of parents surveyed help their children conduct on-line searches for homework; 59.7 per cent assume their children know how to conduct on-line research on their own. Many parents believe it is up to the schools to provide structure and direction when researching material on-line. More than 79 per cent of parents said they felt schools have a duty to create specific lists of approved Web sites before sending the students on-line to do research. But only 27 per cent of students reported receiving clear instructions about on-line research from their teachers. ElectricLibrary Canada is a subscription-based online research database which offers access to maps, newspapers and news wire services, reference books, and magazine articles. For more
information: 3. SASKATCHEWAN FUNDS INTERNET TRAINING PROGRAMThe Saskatoon Public Library (SPL) is leading a venture to create a new computer and Internet training program. With a lead grant from the Saskatchewan government of $71,000, the SPL will design an interactive, multimedia training program in collaboration with community groups and other libraries. In addition, the Palliser Regional Library in Moose Jaw and the Southeast Regional Library in Weyburn will receive $142,000. The project is specifically designed to enhance and expand the computer and information literacy skills of aboriginal and low-income people, and lessons will be created in English, Cree and Dene. The modules can be customized for local needs and be delivered at various neighbourhood access points as well as at public libraries. The training will be provided free of charge. The project will deliver Internet and computer training to 15 different rural towns and villages in its initial phase. The libraries will use a mobile training laboratory to bring courses to various community centres and to First Nations people in their regions. By the time the program is fully implemented next year, the Saskatchewan Economic and Co-operative Development Department will have invested $330,000. For more
information: 4. NEW E-CONTENT INSTITUTE FORMEDOfficially launched last month, the E-Content Institute is intended to be a learning and networking community for the e-content industry (defined as "organizations that provide knowledge and e-business software and information products for Canadian public and private sector enterprise customers"). The Institute will provide a forum for innovation and an exchange of ideas through industry events, briefings and networking sessions, reports, an expert database, a website, and other member-driven services. Members of the E-Content Institute include CISTI, The Canadian Press, Canada NewsWire, Dialog, Globe Interactive, IHS/Micromedia, Microsoft Canada, Rogers iMedia, Rowecom and Statistics Canada. The Institute is sponsoring "Virtual Value 2001: The benefits of content for customers," Canada's first annual seminar for the e-content industry, to be held on December 4, 2001 in Toronto. For more
information: 5. NLC RELEASES GUIDE TO E-PUBLISHINGOn October 5 the National Library announced the release of "Electronic Publishing: A Guide to Best Practices for Canadian Publishers." Inspired by consultations held with the Canadian publishing community, the National Library of Canada's new guide provides practical solutions, standards and resources for writers and publishers who are new to the universe of electronic publishing. This Web-based guide was created in collaboration with The Commons Group, acknowledged innovators in the e-publishing industry. The guide is designed to exist on the Web as a "living" document, one that will be regularly updated to reflect the rapid pace of change in this emerging discipline of the publishing industry. The first edition, now available, examines the pros and cons of electronic publishing, looks at existing best practices and standards and the issues involved in the preservation of electronic publications. Case studies are included to showcase current Canadian experiments and innovation in this nascent field. To view the
guide: For more
information: 6. WONDERING WHERE TO FIND A TECHNOLOGY TO DETERMINE THE SEX OF A FISH? STOP LOOKING...As librarians, you are constantly bombarded with complex, diverse and, sometimes, unusual questions. Did you know that the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) offers on-line resources that can represent the ideal solution for you? Have you ever been asked what the term intellectual property (IP) means? Would you be able to direct clients to an appropriate source of IP information? CIPO is responsible for granting patents and registering trade-marks, copyrights, industrial designs and integrated circuit topographies. The Office also has the responsibility of disseminating IP information. One of the most cost-efficient, dependable and timely ways to provide information to the public is through a Web site. CIPO's on-line databases provide you with a wealth of information that can help you find an answer to your client's most problematic or atypical question! The Canadian Patent Database, for instance, is the ideal tool if you ever need to find a specific technology, a product or an inventor's name, and the Canadian Trade-marks Database will give you access to pending and registered Canadian trade-marks. Canadian and international links are also found on the site to enable a more comprehensive search. Visit CIPO's website and discover how the resources offered can simplify your work! For more
information: 7. US FUNDS TECHNOLOGY IN ABORIGINAL LIBRARIESLast month, the US Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced this year's recipients of the Native American Library Service Enhancement Grants. The grants are intended to help First Nations libraries in the United States use the power of technology to connect their communities and provide the critical information they want and need. Forty-six libraries competed for the grants, and thirteen were awarded, totalling more than $US 1.5 million. Funded projects will include a database of social services and educational resources, oral history and genealogy workshops, and digitization of archival documents. IMLS is a US federal agency, created in 1996, that supports American museums and libraries. For more
information: 8. SAN FRANCISCO BANS LIBRARY FILTERSOn October 1, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to ban filters at city libraries. San Francisco is the first municipality to defy the US government's Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which requires American public schools and libraries to filter Internet access by 2003 or lose their federal E-Rate funding. "The (San Francisco decision) demonstrates what we've been saying all along, that these decisions should be made locally," said Emily Sheketoff of the American Library Association. There are over 160,000 school and public libraries in the United States. Many will lose much-needed federal funding if they don't follow CIPA requirements. San Francisco would lose only about $20,000 of its $50 million library budget, said San Francisco Library spokeswoman Marcia Schneider. The board's decision does not include terminals in children's areas. Whether to install filtering software on those computers will be left up to the library commission. The San Francisco decision isn't the only challenge to CIPA. Both the American Library Association and the American Civil Liberties Union have filed lawsuits challenging the constitutional legality of CIPA; those cases will got to trial next February. For more
information: 9. TRAINING AMONG TOP ORGANIZATIONAL WEBSITE USESBy the end of this year, training and education will be among the top three applications integrated with US organization websites, according to IDC's eWorld 2001 survey. At the beginning of 2001, 15% of US organizations said they had already integrated training and education functions within their websites. By the end of the year, nearly one-third of organizations expect to have their training and education facilities available through their websites. Training and education is behind only customer service and support functions as most widely available. With expectations of increased air fares and additional time required for security clearance at airports, online training and education will become an increasingly attractive option. IDC market research company provides industry analysis, market data, and strategic guidance for the information technology industry. For more
information: 10. UK LIBRARIES GET LOTTERY MONEY FOR INTERNETOn October 15, over £3 million from the United Kingdom's New Opportunities Fund was granted to seven local library authorities to boost library computer power. Over 150 libraries in these areas will have some 1,000 computers between them once plans are implemented. To date, £100 million of British National Lottery money has been distributed as part of the People's Network program, which equips public libraries in the UK with computer technology. Stephen Dunmore, Chief Executive of the New Opportunities Fund, said: "The People's Network has high technical standards so internet links are fast. Wherever local libraries are getting on line the service is excitingly popular. To give everyone a fair chance, many libraries are instituting a booking system for timed sessions. From young children to the retired, the global world reached through information and communications technology has tremendous appeal, and it is an important part of the nation's strategy for lifelong learning." All the new workstations will be installed by the end of 2002, although the first will be available from the end of 2001. The New Opportunities Fund is an organization created to distribute lottery profits as grants to health, education and environment projects throughout the UK. For more
information: 11. USEFUL INTERNET RESOURCESThe
Canadian Encyclopedia The
House Youth Connection Celebrating
Women's Achievements Internet
Filters: A Public Policy Report Alberta
Heritage Digitization Project Terminology
Used in the Federal Government of Canada If
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