Starting today, Islanders with access to computers can stay in the comfort of their homes and still visit the library! Hon. Chester Gillan, Minister of Education, has announced that Abbycat, the electronic catalogue of library resources is now available on the World Wide Web.
Internet access to library resources is part of a strategy to make material more easily available to Islanders. Access to the catalogue is a simple process for those with home computers and a java-capable web browser. Also, access is available to schools and at community access sites. "Anyone with a computer, modem and appropriate software will be able to use the electronic catalogue," said Minister Gillan. "Use of this new technology moves PEI into an enviable role in the provision of library services."
Library patrons will be able to use the Internet to find books and other materials in the library catalogue by searching for subject, author or title and will be able to have material held at their local library for them to pick up. Access to the catalogue is available 24 hours per day. If the material requested is on loan to someone else it will be held for the patron when it is returned. Customers will also be able to use their computers to check on the number of books they have out, and due dates. If they have not finished with materials they can renew the books by telephone rather than having to come into the library.
Director of Libraries, Harry Holman, noted that over 40,000 Islanders are registered as library users and a growing number of Islanders are using the Internet every day. "The Internet allows us to use technology to make libraries more convenient and to provide better service - and service is our most important product," says Holman.
Abbycat, a linking of "Abegweit" and "catalogue", is an automated library system which includes over 300,000 titles in the Provincial Library collection. It is part of a library initiative of the Department of Education which includes electronic ordering and processing of materials as well as circulation. Plans for Abbycat's future include an electronic calendar of library events, access to collections of other libraries and the adding of more information about PEI Provincial Library holdings. The improved service is available at www.library.pe.ca and can be accessed through common Internet software such as Netscape or Internet Explorer.
The Provincial Library Service is a division of the P.E.I. Department of Education. It operates twenty-three libraries across the province, all linked to the Abbycat system.