competence, not by default, and because the consumer had many options, the library

had to be competitive on service, convenience, reliability and credibility. 

Currently the following e library transactions are available for users of Windsor

libraries: 

  account review,

  change PIN,

  renew materials,

  place holds,

  access catalogue,

  access database subscriptions,

  online reference questions,

  online book club summer reading club registration and activities, 

  make donations,

  board agenda and minutes,

  access to board and administration e mail links.

Other council/government transactions are:

  federal job banks provided by Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) for

registration and application, which are available in each library,

  through web links, access in every library to federal statutes, speeches, forms; provin 

cial statutes and legislative proceedings; municipal agenda, minutes and reports,

  plans to extend this centre on the creation of local e government portal similar to

Aboriginal Canada (http://www.aboriginalcanada.gc.ca ).

Funding for these initiatives came from several sources:

  HRDC provided funds for computers; furniture and Internet access for job banks,

  Industry Canada (federal government department) funded machines for Internet

access in every library (Urban Community Access Program, or Urban CAP),

  Industry Canada and Libraries Branch (provincial) funded the Telecommunications

Access Program (TAP) providing funding for telecommunications (the partnership in

the community broadband initiative) through Network 2000,

  Gates funding for equipment, software and installation at all low income cut off

(LICO) neighbourhoods,

  Library board (municipal) funds equipment and Internet access.

Savings have not yet been achieved through e government services in Windsor. The CEO

noted  a significant investment in infrastructure is required to begin. We are still in the

investment or incubation stage.  

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