Libraries ask for Ontario-wide digital system to ensure equal access to materials | 24CA News

TORONTO — Ontario’s libraries are asking the federal government to create a provincewide digital public library, to make sure residents in smaller municipalities have the identical entry to supplies as folks in giant, city centres.

Libraries are principally funded by municipalities, so every library system has to buy their very own materials, mentioned Dina Stevens, government director of the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries.

“Many Ontario public libraries, particularly in smaller and First Nation communities, struggle to afford and cannot provide those high-quality resources and ebooks that people in their communities need,” she mentioned.

“These e-resources are really expensive, especially when they’re purchased on that patchwork, library-by-library basis. So we think something like the ODPL, the Ontario Digital Public Library would be hugely beneficial for smaller urban centres and our rural and northern municipalities, and, of course, our First Nations public libraries.”

Ebooks price 3 times as a lot as print books, Stevens mentioned.

“E-resources are extremely expensive, per copy of ebook,” she mentioned.

“Since the pandemic we’ve had a huge increase in need from our communities and demand from our communities for e-resources, ebooks.”

Those assets aren’t simply the most recent bestseller novels, Stevens mentioned, quite they embody language-learning assets, audio books for youths, and abilities coaching packages for folks engaged on a mid-career change.

The former Liberal authorities promised to create an Ontario Digital Public Library _ although that got here mere days earlier than the beginning of the 2018 election marketing campaign that gutted the get together — and comparable methods exist in different provinces. Creating one for Ontario would price the province $9.4 million per 12 months, Stevens estimates.

Jessica Horne, the assistant to the Cochrane Public Library’s CEO, advised a legislative pre-budget committee that smaller libraries corresponding to hers are a part of a consortium that enables for bulk buying, however that concept must be expanded.

“We then share all those books with all the libraries that are participating in the bulk purchase,” she mentioned.

“So 300 libraries only have access to one James Patterson ebook. They’re very expensive.”

Libraries are additionally asking that their provincial funding not be minimize. The degree of funding has been frozen for greater than 25 years, however the libraries aren’t asking for a rise, simply that the extent be maintained.

The Public Library Operating Grant that comes from the province makes up a small portion of their budgets, however is crucial to assist operations, broadband connectivity and pay fairness, Stevens mentioned.

The Progressive Conservative authorities in 2019 minimize funding to library companies, although not the libraries themselves, affecting inter-library mortgage companies.

A spokesperson for Tourism, Culture and Sport Minister Neil Lumsden mentioned Ontario’s libraries are a key pillar in constructing sturdy, vibrant communities.

“The increase in digital technology and products has also transformed how Ontarians access information and services,” Alan Sakach wrote in a press release.

“The province is providing $27 million to the public library sector through a range of programs including supports for modernization, including broadband upgrades, public internet access and digital services.”

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