"Your Library is the On-Ramp to Information" is the theme for Library Week, October 23-29th, 2000. As the theme suggests, libraries are a great place for Islanders to find information on just about any topic that interests them. Library Week celebrates the role that our 25 public libraries play in the provision of information, reading and listening materials to Islanders of all ages.
"With the advent of free computer access now available at all library locations across the province, Islanders have many opportunities to inform themselves about resources on the world wide web," says the Honourable Gail A. Shea, Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs. "The ability of community members to connect to the Internet through the public library has allowed people to become better informed as they search online databases or communicate with their family members around the globe. Tourists have begun using the Internet in the public library to keep up with current events in their own communities. In Charlottetown, passengers from visiting cruise ships are frequenting the public library during their stopovers in the harbour."
Islanders have really caught onto the potential uses of the Internet. Over the past several years this new service has been so successful that there have been 35,396 user sessions so far this year. Last year, there were 37,580 user sessions. There is such a demand for this service that, as soon as a new computer terminal becomes available, it is booked.
In order to help Island residents navigate the Internet, bookmarks are being distributed which provide helpful hints on Internet safety to parents, search strategies for students and obtaining successful search results for everyone searching the world wide web. Public libraries across the province will be hosting a wide variety of events including story times for children, family Internet sessions, and much more. Throughout the week, patrons who borrow books will qualify to win door prizes.
Admission to all Library Week events is free and everyone is welcome. A schedule for Library Week events can be found on the Provincial Library Web site: www.library.pe.ca or by contacting your local branch library.