Case studies   Canada

Toronto Public Library

Toronto Public Library is the largest library in Canada, serving a population of 2.5 million

with a staff of over 1,800. The library employs leading edge technology in support of its

mission to provide free and equitable access to information. The high demand for use of

electronic information is reflected in these current annual measures:

  3.9 million virtual visits

  1.7 million database searches

  1,814 public access workstations

The public library sees enhanced accessibility, convenience, integration of existing 

services, and improved efficiency as some of the benefits of e government. 

One of the strategic directions of the city of Toronto is to develop long term strategies

to maximise the effective and efficient use of information technology. A resulting 

initiative is the development and implementation of a citizen focussed electronic service

delivery over the next five years. Up until recently, the city's Internet service offered

information dissemination only. The newly redesigned City of Toronto Web site 

represents the beginning step in the process of building an electronic service delivery that

promotes online business transactions. For example, online delivery of water bills is

now offered in partnership with Canada Post and its E post service. Other e services

that are planned include:

  license renewals/issuances,

  business registrations,

  day care registrations/applications,

  recreation registrations,

  building permit applications,

  parking tag payments,

  map sales.

The library's involvement in the city's e government program is reflected in various

ways, the most fundamental of which is to provide access to technology to those who

might otherwise not have access, thus addressing the digital divide. Equality is enhanced

through:

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