Public libraries and
emerging technologies

Statistics show that currently only those people and businesses in the higher income brackets are able to afford the hardware, software and connectivity costs required to participate in the Information Highway. However, the need for access to the Internet is not limited to people and businesses with discretionary income, and it is here that libraries are well positioned to bridge the economic gap. From individuals who might not be able to afford computer technology at home to many small and home-based businesses, the public library can provide the necessary connections to help prevent the division of our society into information 'haves' and 'have nots'.

Statistics Canada reports that,

  • in 1994 only 400,000 households (4%) had a fax machine, just 8% had a modem and only 25% of Canadians had a home computer ("Preparing for the Information Highway" Focus on Culture 8 (spring 1996) p. 114)
  • in 1994 "households in the highest income group were five times more likely to have a home computer (46%) than were those in the lowest income group (9%)" ("Preparing for the Information Highway" Focus on Culture 8 (spring 1996) p. 114)
  • "As the information highway grows more elaborate, the number of opportunities for taking advantage of information technology in the home is increasing. Thus far, however, these innovations are most accessible to people in the higher income households" ("Preparing for the Information Highway" Focus on Culture 8 (spring 1996) p. 114)

The public library ensures
the information highway is accessible
to all Canadians

  • "Public Libraries are located in almost every community in Canada, and are obvious public access points to the information highway, and sources of information and training in its use" (Skrzeszewski, 1995, p. 5)
  • "Unlike most sites for public access terminals (which range from government buildings, from shopping malls to laundromats), public libraries have trained staff available for consultation and training in the use of the library's resources, including electronic information resources" (NRENAISSANCE, 1994, p. 137)

Bill Gates donated $1 million so that Canadian public libraries can access the Internet and other multimedia resources. Gates stated:

"Microsoft recognizes the significant contribution public libraries make to the education of Canadians ... The library is an ideal setting where people can use the full potential of computers and the Internet to conduct research, learn and communicate" (Gates, Microsoft Expands Libraries Online! To Canada, July 26, 1996, bcla-list@unixq.ubc.ca)

Canadians want the public library to
provide electronic resources

  • 69% of Ontarians say they "want educators and libraries to play a major role in shaping the Information Highway" (Ontario Libraries and Community Information Branch, 1995, p.28)
  • the top three new services requested are: computer software for loan, microcomputers for public use and access to on-line computer databases (Lloydminster Public Library, 1994, p. intro)
  • when users were asked to prioritize services, "access to on-line information databases and/or Internet ranked highly at... 84 percent" (Fraser Valley Regional Library, 1995, p.8)
  • 36% of public library patrons indicated that Internet access and training is "very important" for the library to introduce and 31% think the lending of CD-ROMS is "very important" to introduce (North York Public Library, 1995, p.39)

Public libraries are integrating
new and emerging technologies

  • Canadian libraries spent over $10 million on electronic and audiovisual materials in 1991 (Statistics Canada - Culture Statistics - Public Libraries, 1993, p. 54)
  • a national study showed that public libraries recognize their potentially important role in providing electronic information: The degree of automation and networking varies from province to province to territory. Yet, in each jurisdiction major planning and implementation processes are under way to automate library functions and to make them accessible electronically through networked access" (Skrzeszewski, 1995, p. 5)

The current fiscal situation makes the introduction of technology challenging.

  • "Public libraries face the electronic networked environment without adequate equipment, staff, or policy and financial support" (McClure et al., 1994, p. 4)
  • in 1994, statistics collected about large urban public libraries did not include electronic resources as an expenditure item. In 1995 these libraries budgeted over $1 million for electronic materials and the figure is projected to go up another half-million in 1996 (CALUPL Annual Statistics 1995, p.8)
  • A national survey of libraries in the United States revealed that from the 1994/95 year to the 1995/96 year there was "an incredible 43% increase in technology-related expenses" (St. Lifer et al., 1996, p.40)

Access to the Internet is a crucial issue
for Canadians

  • "If the information highway becomes a primary distribution vehicle for culture, then affordable access to the highway must be assured for all Canadians ... If the dollar costs or the technical skills required are too high, there is a danger of creating technological 'haves' and 'have-nots' in society, consequently limiting access to culture" (Statistics Canada, Canada's Culture, Heritage and Identity, 1995, p.37)
  • Industry Canada reports that when market forces fail to provide access, "the government is prepared to step in to ensure affordable access to essential Information Highway services for all Canadians, regardless of their income or geographic location" (Industry Canada, 1996, p.23)
  • there are "societal benefits flowing from great participation by individuals and communities in electronic networks. Publicly accessible networks... can revitalize greater democratic participation in public decision making, advance a variety of cultural and multicultural objectives by tailoring their services to the needs of specific audiences, and provide more efficient and economical community support mechanisms to individuals and organizations" (Information Highway Advisory Council, 1995, p.6)

Research in Canada suggests that to initiate the link between libraries and the Internet is not a financial impossibility:

  • "The two studies [on Internet connectivity] for New Brunswick and Ontario are the most complete and are based on careful analysis. New Brunswick estimates the start-up cost of full patron connectivity at $1,556,083, while Ontario estimates this cost at $27,950,000. By taking these costs and comparing them to the populations of New Brunswick and Ontario, this provides an average cost of $2.53 per capita for providing Internet access for the residents of these two provinces" (Ontario Libraries and Community Information Branch, 1995, p. 15)

It is certain that a lack of citizen access to the Internet and other emerging technologies will have costly economic and social repercussions. The availability of these technologies at public libraries, along with trained and experienced professionals to assist users, will help to prevent Canada from becoming divided between "information haves" and "information have-nots". To be effective at work and school today requires skills, ability and knowledge of automation and technology far beyond the capabilities of most family budgets.
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