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September 2002 LibraryNet Monthly TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. "BEST PRACTICES" 2002 RELEASED For the sixth year, LibraryNet presents its annual Best Practices list, recognizing Canadian public libraries for leadership in making innovative use of the Internet. Best Practices 2002 features 19 public libraries from across Canada that have used their web sites to deliver services electronically, build community partnerships, support local economic and community development and create content for their localities that can be disseminated around the world. For the complete
document see: 2. RURAL BROADBAND PLAN ANNOUNCED On September 5, Minister of Industry Allan Rock launched the $105-million Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Pilot Program. The program will support the introduction of innovative and sustainable broadband services to Canadian communities that have no high-speed Internet access. Priority will be given to First Nations, northern, remote and rural communities. The selection process has two steps. First, applicants should submit proposals for funding to support the research and development of a business plan. Successful applicants will receive up to $30,000 for this purpose. (Eligible recipients are community-based, legally incorporated, not-for-profit Canadian organizations that will act on behalf of their community.) Additional funds will be made available on a competitive basis for eligible applicants to implement their business plans. The amount will be subject to the quality of the submissions and the availability of funds. The Minister will make the final selections based on recommendations by an arm's-length National Selection Committee. The deadline for the submission of proposals is October 31, and funding announcements will be made on December 20. The Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Pilot Program is part of the federal government's strategy to ensure high-speed Internet access for all Canadian communities by the year 2005. For more
information and details on how to apply: http://broadband.gc.ca/
3. CANADIANS STILL CHOOSE LIBRARIES FOR PUBLIC ACCESS Final results are now available from this year's "Rethinking the Information Highway" study performed EKOS Research Associates. Launched more than five years ago, the syndicated study is a comprehensive ongoing research initiative designed to examine how the digital revolution is transforming the environment within which companies and governments are operating. As a founding sponsor, Industry Canada continues to be a key partner in the development and continued success of this broad-based study. Some of this years study's most interesting results from a library perspective are to do with usage of the Internet in public places. Overall, more than one in two Canadians have accessed the Internet from a public place at some point, remaining at 56 per cent in both September 2000 and October 2001 after rising from 48% in June 1999. For those Canadians who have accessed the Internet from a public place, the library continues to top the list of public access locations at 55 per cent, rising steadily from 45 per cent in 1999 and 52 per cent in 2000. 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?" 56% of Canadian households without Internet access chose the library, far ahead of any other option. (8% chose school, 6% chose Internet café, 3% chose government office, 2% chose community centre, and 4% chose other). The results of this year's study cover a wide selection of topic areas, from how Canadians view and use technology, to online purchasing behaviour, and government service delivery. The results are based on a benchmark telephone survey (October/November 2001) and a follow-up self-administered mail-back survey (October/December 2001). Please note that copyright of these findings belongs to EKOS and that they may not be reproduced without EKOS' permission. For more
information: Malcolm Saravanamuttoo
4. BARRIERS TO INTERNET USE IN SCHOOLS Another recent Ipsos-Reid poll, conducted for Microsoft Canada, found that Canadians believe a shortage of computers in schools and a lack of teacher training are the main barriers to greater use of computers and the Internet in schools. 86% of Canadians cited the shortage of computers in school, and 82% the lack of training of teachers as the main barriers that keep the education system from making greater use of computers and the Internet in schools. The lack of up-to-date computers (80%) and software programs (78%), limited classroom time spent using computers (75%), and limited access to the Internet in schools (64%) were also cited. Almost all respondents (97%) said they believe that computer technology and the Internet are key to Canada's ability to compete in the global economy in the future. More specifically, three in four (74%) believe this is "very important." The survey also included questions about parents' knowledge of access to and supervision of Internet use at school; whether the government should provide more funding for technology in schools; whether computers and the Internet are used too much in schools, or not enough; and whether private sector companies should sponsor educational curricula about computers and the Internet. The Ipsos-Reid/Microsoft Canada survey was based on a randomly selected sample of 800 adult Canadians between March 28 and April 7, 2002. For more
information: According to a recent U.S. study, American students feel that their teachers don't make full use of the Internet in class or in assignments. "The Digital Disconnect: the widening gap between Internet-savvy students and their schools" is a qualitative study of the attitudes and behaviors of Internet-using public middle and high school students drawn from across the country. It is based on the results of 14 focus groups with 136 middle and high school students. The study was prepared for the Pew Internet & American Life Project by the American Institutes for Research (AIR). According to students, the single greatest barrier to Internet use in school is the quality and amount of access to the Internet at their schools. They also complained that blocking and filtering software often raise barriers to their educational use of the Internet. Students see the Internet as a virtual textbook and reference library, a virtual tutor and study shortcut, a place to conduct virtual study groups, a virtual locker, backpack and notebook, and as a virtual guidance counselor when they are deciding about careers and colleges. The American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a not-for-profit corporation and one of the largest applied behavioral and social science research organizations in the world. The Pew Internet & American Life Project is a non-profit organization that funds original research exploring the impact of the Internet on children, families, the work place, and civic/political life. To read the
full text of the report: 5. CANADA LEADS IN CONNECTEDNESS, BUT FIRST NATIONS STILL CATCHING UP According to the Conference Board of Canada's new Connectedness Index, released on August 8, Canada is second only to the U.S. in the use of information and communications technologies (ICT). Health, education, business, and government are four sectors that benefit in particular. One of the most common online activities of Canadians is searching for health information or access to health experts. The report also cites StatsCan data showing that 47 per cent of Canadian households use the Internet from home for formal education and learning. The Index is based on standings in 48 indicators grouped into four categories: availability, price, reach, and use. "[Canada] ranked first in the index for on-line banking, government on-line services, and broadband penetration," said Brian Guthrie, Director of Innovation and Knowledge Management at the Conference Board. The report also cites three key areas that need improvement: broadband services, content, and wireless. This year's Connectedness Index is the third in an annual series comparing Canada with the other G7 countries, plus Australia, Finland, and Sweden. For more
information: To read
the full report in PDF format: However, according to an EKOS survey from March 2002, less than half (47%) of First Nations people living on-reserve are Internet users, compared to 72% of all Canadians. Internet usage is higher for those with higher incomes and/or education levels, for younger people (under 35), and for parents. Geographically speaking, usage is highest in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces. 46% of First Nations people surveyed saw the Internet as a useful means for communication with the federal government; this was the lowest score of any of the specific communications methods mentioned in the survey (TV, radio, etc.). People under 35 were more likely to see the Internet as a useful way for the government to make information available. To read the
full report in PDF format: 6. CABLE INTERNET LAGS BEHIND IN SMALL TOWNS Small Canadian communities still have sparse access to high-speed cable Internet, according to data released in the September 3 edition of The Daily. Overall access to high-speed cable Internet increased substantially in 2001, but the gap between small and large communities is still significant. As of August 2001, just over 9.4 million homes, or about 85% of cable homes (homes with access to cable television), had access to broadband Internet access, up from about 70% in 2000. In the largest communities, 96% of cable homes had access to the technology, up from 86%. In medium-sized communities, 78% had access, compared with 47% in 2000. However, only 27% of cable homes in small communities had access to high-speed Internet. The rate of adoption of cable Internet progressed rapidly in communities of all sizes; nearly 15% of homes with access to cable Internet had adopted it as of August 2001. StatsCan predicts that the gap in service between large and small communities should continue to close, due to increased investment by cable operators in networks serving small communities. For more
information: Daniel April
7. OXFORD COUNTY LIBRARY LAUNCHES PORTAL FOR KIDS The Oxford County Library (OCL) unveiled its new Internet portal designed for children 4 to 14 on July 22. Interactive features include a book drop game, developed by CAP web programmer Steven Scovil, Ask a Librarian, and user polls. Users can also post their own poems, add web links, and add jokes to the "joke engine" that randomly displays a new one on every page visit. Users can either log in and set their own preferences for the portal's appearance (including which version of the OCL mascot they see) or use the default settings. To visit
the portal: 8. CNIB TO DIGITIZE ENTIRE COLLECTION The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) is trying to narrow the information gap for the blind by digitizing its entire collection of 60,000 audio books. Jim Sanders, president and chief executive officer of the CNIB, says that the $33-million "That all may read..." program will likely be copied by other libraries for the blind around the world. "This will have a profound effect on those of us who are blind," Mr. Sanders says. The three million Canadians who are unable to read print have access to only 3 per cent of the world's texts through Braille editions, recorded "talking books," computer-generated synthetic voice, or (for those with low vision) enlarged text. Until recently, material in each of these formats had to be produced by separate analog processes. Soon the CNIB will be able to use one digital file to create material in various formats. Users will be able to download files and read them on their own computers with the aid of text-to-voice software, enlarged fonts, or devices that render the contents of a computer screen into Braille. The total annual savings for the CNIB, once the conversion is completed in 2006, is estimated at $1.6-million a year (of an $8-million budget). The low cost of producing compact discs means that users won't have to return them to the CNIB and will be able to build their own libraries of audio books. Converting audio books to electronic format makes for very large digital files. Eventually, the database will contain 90 terabytes - the equivalent of 185 million electronic books formatted for print. That will make it one of the largest databases of its kind in the world, according to Frank Clegg, president of Microsoft Canada, which helped to design the digital library platform. For more
information: 9. MORE CANADIANS LEARNING ON THE WEB 59 per cent of respondents to a recent Ipsos-Reid survey said that they are likely to study on-line in the future. "On-line Education: What the Future Holds," also found that 26 per cent of Canadians have searched the Internet for online courses and 8 per cent have already taken an online course. Among those who had already studied online, an overwhelming majority (90 per cent) said that they would recommend learning online to others because it saved a significant amount of time, improved their employment opportunities, and provided them with a means to take courses they wouldn't otherwise have sought. The survey was based on 1000 telephone interviews with Canadian adults conducted between March 5 and 14, 2002. For more
information: 10. COLLEGE LIBRARIES, THE WEB, AND STUDENTS Last December, the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) commissioned a survey on the online information-seeking habits of U.S. college students, in particular their use of library websites. When asked what their library could do to help with assignments, student suggestions fell into four general categories: making it easier to use and access library resources; more materials (both print and electronic); offering interactive maps, study tips, and guides; and providing links to other library and research sites. Student-identified barriers to the successful use of library resources included the inability to access databases remotely; difficulty searching and navigating within the library and its website; a shortage of knowledgeable librarians; and a lack of the service orientation they expect as consumers. Among the report's recommendations on how to increase libraries' visibility on the web and influence students' information choices are: tighter integration of the library's electronic resources with other campus websites; open access for remote users; clear navigational guides (both online and in the library); and better promotion, instruction, and customer service. OCLC intends to repeat the study annually, using this data as a baseline for measuring changes in student behavior and expectations, and for measuring librarians' success in delivering information. To read the
full text of the article (in PDF format): 11. SCHOLARLY ELECTRONIC ARCHIVE PROJECTS In the July 5 issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education, an article covers the efforts of several American universities to build online institutional repositories - or "superarchives" - by inviting professors to deposit copies of research papers, data-sets, and other work. The idea is to gather as much of the intellectual output of an institution as possible in one easy-to-search online collection. Proponents of such superarchives say they could increase communication among scholars and spark greater levels of innovation through the "power of shared ideas," especially in the sciences. The article also discusses the disincentives for such a system, including the scholarly-journal system, inertia and academic overload. The most ambitious archive to date, MIT's Dspace, is discussed at length. The goal of DSpace is to collect as much research material as possible from nearly every professor at MIT (although participation is voluntary). The software to support the repository and to enable professors and departments to submit material is being tested this summer, and in the fall, MIT plans to open the archive to all of its professors. The article also discusses and links to similar archives created by California universities. To read the
full text of the article: Yale University has published online its report on a Digital Preservation Planning Project in partnership with Elsevier Science. The 18-month pilot study and planning project examined the challenges for e-archiving posed by a large collection of commercially published scientific journals. The goals of the project were to understand better the scope and scale of digital journal preservation and to identify practical next steps in detail. The project team has begun work on a model licensing agreement for such an archive, and plans to begin building a small prototype using available software. To read the
full text of the report: 12. STATSCAN SAYS GROWTH OF INTERNET USE SLOWING According to the latest data released from Statistics Canada's Household Internet Use Survey, Internet use from home jumped again in 2001, but the rate of growth is slowing down. More than 5.8 million Canadian households had at least one member who regularly used the Internet from home in 2001. That number rose to 7.2 million households when family members who used the Internet regularly, from work, school, a public library, or another location were included. However, the growth rate is slowing. The 2001 numbers are up 23 per cent from 2000, less than the gain of 42 per cent from 1999 to 2000. According to Jonathan Ellison, from Statistics Canada's Science, Innovation and Electronic Information Division, "It is the first slowing in growth rate." The slowing growth rate can be attributed to the shrinking pool of households without Internet access to keep the growth rate rising. Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia recorded the highest rates of Internet use, with 65 per cent of their households accessing the Internet from any location. These three provinces surpassed the national average for regular use from any location (60 per cent) and regular home use (49 per cent). Rates of Internet use also varied across family types, with the key factor being the presence of children. Single-family households with unmarried children under the age of 18 had the highest rate of Internet use from any location at about 80 per cent. In contrast, only about 56 per cent of single-family households in which there were no children used the Internet. Only 32 per cent of the quarter of households with the lowest income level regularly used the Internet in 2001. This was still nearly triple the rate of 12 per cent in 1997. For more
information: 13. DIGITAL DIVIDE AND GENDER DIFFERENCES FOR OLDER SURFERS A new survey from Britain reveals differences between how older men and women utilize the Internet. Men surveyed said they prefer to use the web to pursue hobbies and find information, while women see the Internet as a communications tool, using it to keep in touch with friends and families. The survey also found many challenges in connecting older Britons to the Internet. Two-thirds of men and women over 55 surveyed said they did not have access to the Internet, and two-thirds of those had no interest in going online. The survey is part of a three-year partnership between Age Concern, a seniors' advocacy organization, and Barclays Bank intended to bring technology to older people and ensure they are not excluded from the digital revolution. It was conducted by UK market research firm ICM. The next phase of the partnership will provide Internet "taster" try-out sessions at seniors' day centres and residential homes. For more
information: 14. INTERNET NEWS FROM BRITAIN The NOF-Digitise program is an ambitious project to create a "communities bank" of innovative Internet learning resources for the UK. In July, 50 million pounds was awarded to more than 150 national and local organizations for the creation of web content designed to support lifelong learning under one of three broad themes: cultural enrichment, citizenship, and re-skilling. All projects must have their website launched by December 2002. The New Opportunities Fund distributes lottery money to health, education and environment projects across the UK. For more
information: British Telecom is about to start community trials of a new broadband technology that will allow the company to supply broadband to as few as 16 customers over existing cable, rather than new fiber optic lines. Previously, the company had insisted that broadband infrastructure was only viable if an area promised at least 200 customers. The initial trial will run for six months, after which British Telecom and the trial sponsors will evaluate the technology and the business model. For more
information: 15. 10% OF THE WORLD'S POPULATION NOW HAS INTERNET ACCESS 10 per cent of the world's population (nearly 581 million people) now has Internet access, according to Nua.com's 2002 Global Internet Trends report. By compiling many of the Internet use surveys published in the last two years, Nua.com arrived at an "educated guess" as to how many people were online worldwide as of May 2002. This is an increase of almost 174 million users since December 2000, when the total Internet audience stood at 407.1 million. However, the digital divide between developed and developing nations is as wide as it ever was. While North Americans and Europeans together account for 63 per cent of global Internet users, only 6 per cent of the world's internet users are based in Latin America, and just 1 per cent each in the Middle East and Africa. The report forecasts that over one billion people will be online by the end of 2005. For more
information: 16. ONLINE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES The School of Library & Information Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is offering three continuing education courses this fall via the Internet. Students will be able to access the university's online courseware, which provides the means to post assignments, do readings, and discuss the topics with other students and the instructor at any time. Fundamentals
of Cataloging Introduction
to Metadata Virtual Collection
Development For more
information: To register:
Access 2002
Conference The Access conferences attempt to bring together the best of the current and potential applications of technology for the library community. The theme for this year's conference is "Delivering the Promise", using technology to benefit and empower the communities that libraries serve. The conference will also feature the first "hackfest" at a library conference. Typically hackfests are gatherings of programmers who compete against or collaborate with each other for prizes, fame, or even notoriety. The Access 2002 Hackfest is an informal and completely collaborative effort to solve real world library problems using freely available tools. For more
information or to register: 2002 Virtual
Reference Desk Conference Advance the state of reference librarianship in a digital environment. Hear best practices and learning based on research and experience. Interact with colleagues and industry experts. See the newest technological solutions. Learn how to implement, enhance, or expand your virtual reference services. Influence standards development. Plan for a preferred future. The 4th annual Digital Reference Conference has as its theme "Charting the Course of Reference: Toward a Preferred Future." Roch Carrier, the National Librarian of Canada, will be the opening speaker. For more
information or to register: Computers
in Libraries 2003 Computers in Libraries is the most comprehensive North American conference and exhibition for librarians and information professionals who need to know about the latest technologies, equipment, software, and services available. The conference offers a multifaceted program designed to meet the needs of librarians, information managers, systems professionals, webmasters, content evaluators, intranet strategists, portal creators, and information specialists. Themes of the 18th annual conference will include integrating systems & the net; navigating, searching, & finding strategies; managing content & e-resources; case studies of internet & intranet librarians; digital/virtual library services; library automation & infrastructure; managing knowledge assets; e-learning & training; and more. For more
information: Images Canada This is a gateway for a cross-collection search of more than 75,000 images held by Canadian museums, archives, and libraries. You can search by keyword or by specific field(s), or view "trails," pre-selected searches on a particular topic. Two main trails are The Great Canadian Outdoors - fishing, hunting, and wild life - and From Sea to Sea to Sea, which explores Canada's geography by plane, train, and automobile. There are also several photo essays written by archivists and curators. Manager's Guide to Multiple Format Production The Manager's Guide to Multiple Format Production provides updated guidelines on how to develop and deliver accessible published government materials. The Guide includes information on producing accessible websites, audio, described video, large print materials, and more. http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/accessinfo/s36-202.001-e.html Digital Archives of the Argyle District Acadians This site celebrates the rich heritage of a distinct Acadian community in Nova Scotia whose roots in the province can be traced back to 1653. It brings together a wide array of information, from traditional songs and language to original land grants and letters from the earliest settlers. Many of the primary documents come from the collection of Father Clarence d'Entremont, an historian, author, genealogist, and recipient of the Order of Canada who passed away in 1998. Youth interns under the direction of the Société historique acadienne de Pubnico-Ouest developed the site, which was funded by Industry Canada's Youth Employment Strategy and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. http://collections.ic.gc.ca/argyle/ International Center for Disability Resources on the Internet A non-profit U.S. corporation which promotes accessible electronic and information technology. Their website gathers health, policy, and news resources related to disabilities as well. Lii.Org Possible Resources Blog This blog collects potential entries for lii.org (the Librarians' Index to the Internet) from its suggestion box, as well as selected links from some of the Internet scouting resources. OneLook Dictionaries This "search engine for words" indexes over 4 million entries in more than 700 online dictionaries and encyclopedias. Whether you're looking for a definition or a translation, OneLook will provide a list of online dictionaries that can answer your question. Boardreader This search engine looks for information contained in multiple message boards and forums. Sites with interactive forums can request that they be included in the (no-fee) database. Designed by engineers and students from the University of Michigan. Digital Reference Question Logs This page collects logs of actual questions that have been asked at digital/virtual reference sites using several media (email, Internet form, chat session, etc.). These logs may be useful in research on the types of questions asked in the virtual reference service environment, and in professional training, giving librarians an idea of what to expect while participating in such reference services. http://www.lis.uiuc.edu/~b-sloan/log.htm New Resources at the Library of Congress The U.S. Library of Congress (LOC) Users can email their research questions or chat online with a reference librarian. http://www.loc.gov/rr/askalib/ Turning the Pages The British Library's award-winning interactive system Turning the Pages allows visitors to the Library to browse selected pages of priceless manuscripts, zoom in on details, and listen to audio commentaries. Now visitors to the Library's website can view pages from the 15th century Sherborne Missal online. (Requires Shockwave.) http://www.bl.uk/collections/treasures/digitisation.html Gabriel The gateway to Europe's national libraries has been redesigned and updated with an improved, more user-friendly platform. Gabriel offers information on the online catalogues, services, online exhibitions, and print and electronic collections of 41 European national libraries. Available in English, French, and German. Metadata Object Description Schema The LOC's Network Development and MARC Standards Office has developed a new Metadata Object Description Schema (MODS), which is a bibliographic element set designed particularly for library applications. PACS-P A low-traffic mailing list that allows you to keep up-to-date on several electronic publications at once. PACS-P distributes the complete text of Current Cites, as well as publication notices for D-Lib, Issues in Science & Technology Librarianship, and the Scholarly Electronic Publishing Bibliography. To subscribe
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