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| Original News Release |
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| Original News Release |
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Libraries will be more accessible to all British Columbians and better positioned to meet the challenges of the information age with over $12 million in additional provincial government funding announced today by Premier Gordon Campbell. The funding will be allocated over three years, starting with $3.3 million in 2005-2006, $4.18 million in 2006-2007 and $4.98 million in 2007-2008.
The funding enables implementation of recommendations contained in the strategic plan, Libraries Without Walls: The World Within Your Reach, produced after extensive consultation with library representatives over the last year.
This plan was developed following a request by the Premier for a strategic plan to address growing challenges for libraries due to a growing population and need for updated technology. Fifty years ago, B.C. libraries circulated about 10 million items annually. Today, people borrow more than 50 million items per year and physical space is often at a premium.
Among the initiatives to be supported by the new funding are:
· Broadband Access/Library Gateway – The province will connect all libraries through high-speed Internet by 2006. A library gateway will create a one-stop entry point to provide all British Columbians with easy access to libraries, databases and other gateways. The province will also purchase provincewide online access to licensed information databases so that all British Columbians share their benefits equally.
· Virtual Reference – This service will allow library users to ask questions and get library assistance anytime and from anywhere they have Internet access.
· One Card Access – One library card will be used like a passport to information. The single card identifier will give all provincial residents equitable access to library holdings.
· Grants to libraries – Grants will be available for technology and infrastructure upgrades, as well as equity grants focusing on literacy, early childhood learning, First Nations programming, service/collections for persons with disabilities and new immigrants.
Immediately, Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services staff will meet with the library community to create working groups to implement the initiatives.
British Columbians are served by 235 public libraries that receive in excess of $9 million annually through provincial library grants. The Library Strategic Plan can be found at: http://www.mcaws.gov.bc.ca/lgd/public_libraries/ online.
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