Barbara Swartzentruber Strategic Projects Manager, MGS January 28 - 31, 2009OLA Libraries Super Conference

What does a Digital Future Look Like?New players, on a new playing field, developing new process and habits for horizontal collaboration. Thomas L. Friedman, The World is Flat

*Transcontinental Fibre Optic CableSource: image.guardian.co.uk A Connected World

Faster serviceInformation-rich and multi-media websites User created content and self expression File sharing and collaborationUploading and downloadingOnline customer support online chat with another person via webcam and headsetsThe digital society is driving demand and changing expectations

The Rise of e-Government: OntarioSource: R. Dowler & F. Graves, The Rise of e-Government, Canadian Government Executive (Sept 2008)

%Ontario households accessing e-government Services by activity

Percent

Source: EKOS 2008Q: Have you ever done any of the following activities with governments over the Internet?/Has anybody ever done any of the following activities with governments over the Internet on your behalf?(Base: All Canadians/All Ontarians; Nov. 07, n=4542/1700)

Challenges in a Digital EconomyGlobal competition for investment, jobs and skilled workersMobile investment and workforce

Transitioning from an industrial economy to a knowledge economy

Moving to a green economy

What does Ontario Need to Succeed in a Digital Economy and Society?

Conditions for Success in a Digital EconomyDigital Skills and Literacy4. Digital citizens and businesses6. Digital inclusion

5. Digital government and communities

1. Affordable, accessible broadband

2. Next generation infrastructure

3. Innovation in a digital economyDigital Infrastructure CapacityOntarios Digital StrategyStrategic Research Findings

What is Ontario Doing?$30 million over the next four years to deploy broadband to rural areas in Southern Ontario:$30 million was announced in the March 25, 2008 provincial budget$10 million was announced in 2007 and has been allocated to 18 rural communities through the Rural Connections program and to strategic research initiativesThe November announcement of $8.8 million committed to 15 additional Rural Connections projects brings the total to 33 projects undertaken jointly by rural municipalities and the province.

The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation has allocated $30 million over 3 years to address cellular ($15 million) and broadband ($15 million) access gaps in northern Ontario

$1.5 billion over three years in the Government of Ontarios Skills to Jobs Action Plan

Over $1 billion throughout the next five years in the Next Generation of Jobs Fund

Broadband Service in Southern Ontario

Digital Skills and LiteracyWhat are Digital Skills and Literacy?Human capacity, behaviour and knowledge related to broadband use.

Confidence and trust using broadband technologies and tools, e.g., the Internet and Web 2.0 .

Skillful use of technology to play, learn, socialize and work.

An understanding of the social and economic benefits of broadband.

Web 2.0requires new skills and literacy

Creating a talented and skilled citizenry and workforce with the confidence to use digital infrastructure to achieve social and economic benefitsDigital Citizens and Businesses

Digital Government and CommunitiesImproving public sector service delivery and the quality of life for Ontarians

Digital InclusionTo encourage full participation in the digital economy by addressing critical socio-economic digital dividesSource: EKOS 2006-07 Information Technology Update and Usage and the Communications Household

Chart5

48938

421541

251954

161468

61776

61281

No Home Access

Regular Dial-up

High-Speed

Per Cent

2006 Home Internet Access by Income

Sheet1

Household IncomeNo Home AccessRegular Dial-upHigh-Speed

A Digital Economy and Society Needs Full ParticipationGovernments, local communities, businesses, citizens and community groups are also planning for a digital future.

More effective if we all work together.

Digital Ontario Websitewww.digitalontario.mgs.gov.on.ca

Digital Ontario Collaborative Toolswww.digitalontario.mgs.gov.on.ca

Digital Ontario Second Life Island

Public Libraries Delivering Digital LiteracyOLA Super Conference Session #32829 Jan 2009

David I. HarvieSystems Librarian, Stratford Public LibraryPCIN Network Administratordharvie@pcin.on.ca

Perth County Information NetworkPublic Libraries Delivering Digital LiteracyA federation of public libraries in Perth County. Perth East Public Library West Perth Public Library Stratford Public Library Stratford Perth Archives (Associate Member) St. Marys Public Library (Associate Member)

PCIN ActivitiesShares an integrated library software (ILS) system via a wide area network (WAN).Shares IT Support.Resource sharing.Consortium purchasing.Shares Programming - Public Library on Wheels (PLOW)Maintains the Information Perth Community Services DatabasePublic Libraries Delivering Digital Literacy

TrendsLibrary 2.0Web 2.0 social networking technologies employed by libraries to re-invent and re-vitalize themselves:Blogging WikisPodcasts TaggingPublic Libraries Delivering Digital Literacy

Public Libraries Delivering Digital LiteracyLibrary 1.0 vs. 2.0 Themes

Library 2.0Library 2.0 attempts to harness the library user in the design and implementation of library services by encouraging feedback and participation. The library patron becomes a participant, co-creator, builder and consultant.The basic aim of Library 2.0 is to get people back into the library by making the library relevant to what they want and need in their daily lives and to make the library a destination and not an afterthought.Public Libraries Delivering Digital Literacy

BiblioCommonsPublic Libraries Delivering Digital LiteracyBiblioCommons is a next generation Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) interface that incorporates social networking software technologies.

It brings social searching or social discovery to the OPAC.

Use of the library catalogue becomes an activity in discovery rather than finding.

BiblioCommonsPublic Libraries Delivering Digital Literacy Patrons can:

Discuss books, create book reviews & rate items within the OPAC.

Categorize or tag items with headings that reflects genre, mood, content, or style that make sense to the user.

Recommend and point to similar titles.

Advise on age suitability and mark items for: Offensive language Graphic violence Sexual content

BiblioCommonsPublic Libraries Delivering Digital Literacy build and share personalized lists of the librarys collection.

manage their own level of privacy and identity within the community.

build networks of favourite reviewers that will subsequently feed personalized recommendations and search processes based on the users tastes.

communicate with other users and Library staff with a built-in email system.

Public Libraries Delivering Digital Literacy

Benefits of PartnershipsPublic Libraries Delivering Digital Literacy PCIN has received support from the Broadband Initiative in our bid to be one of twelve BiblioCommons test sites.

Support from the Broadband Initiative in PCINs LSDF grant application to hire a Digital Literacy Promoter in support of a BiblioCommons project.

The opportunity to contribute to the Ontario Digital Second Life Island.

SPL On Digital Ontario SL IslandPublic Libraries Delivering Digital Literacy

Why is Digital Literacy Important?Public Libraries Delivering Digital Literacy Libraries need to re-invent themselves using social networking software if they are to survive.

Products like BiblioCommons create a community around the librarys catalogue.

Its no longer about the "digital divide, but about increasing social isolation.

The marginalized will not only be uninformed BUT INCREASINGLY ALONE.

Thank you.Public Libraries Delivering Digital Literacy