Community Portals

Community Portals

The Role of Libraries

OLA SuperConference 2004

Smart Communities & Portals

A Smart Community can generically be defined as …a community with a vision of the future that involves the use of information and communication technologies in new and innovative ways to empower its residents, institutions and regions as a whole.

http://www.smartcommunities.ca/index_e.asp

July 11, 2003

A Portal …

the “Public Face” of a Smart Community

The Library Mission …

Access to Information Free & Uncensored Support learning

Customer Service Personal

Community Memory Traditional & Digital

Community Meeting Place Public & Professional

What Portals Promise

Access to Information One Place to Look

Customer Service eService

Community Memory Who does what

Community Meeting Place

Collection development; Catalogue

Public trust; Reference services

Local history; Local directories

Programs for all ages; interest groups

What Libraries Can Support…

Case Studies

Connecting Windsor-Essex™ Portal Team Leader – Jean Foster

Windsor Public Library ConnectHamilton

Portal Team Leader – Paul Takala Hamilton Public Library

Project Components:Infrastructure – fibre in Essex county;

library connectionsCity of Windsor, County of Essex, WEDnet™

Community PortalWindsor Public Library, Information Windsor

GeoSmart – GIS Enabled applicationsCity of Windsor, County of Essex

There were many… Utilities restructuring affected infrastructure plan Defining governance for action Project guidelines still evolving Separation of GeoSmart (MNR) and Connect

Ontario (MEOI) components Contract negotiation delays Many partners … diverse technology experience Evolving portal technology…change in selected

model Community Information Database technology

Implementation ChallengesImplementation Challenges

What made it work… Partners leveraging other project funding –

e.g. United Way - Trillium grant and Volunteer Action Online; Windsor Public Library – Ministry of Culture, Virtual Museum of Canada; Industry Canada Knowledge Based Economy

Flexibility in deployment of resources e.g. purchase of CIOC software

Dedicated project staffing e.g. Project Officer, Communications Consultant

Vendor partner contributions

Working Together

Leveraging Community InterestMeet with key people Invite community participation at strategic

intervalsTalk it up to community groups e.g.

service clubs, community information centres

Create interest in the Portal through the partner organizations

Community Engagement

Behind the ScenesPoliciesGovernanceWorking GroupSub committees:

– Content, Marketing, Technical, Policy

Collaboration spaces – use our toolPartner commitment – financial, in-kindSecurity

Partner Work

Public View

Contact Us

Paul TakalaVirtual LibrarianHamilton Public LibraryPhone: (905) 546-3001

E-mail: ptakala@hpl.ca

Jean FosterManager Service PlanningWindsor Public LibraryPhone: 255-6770 X 4418E-mail:

jfoster@city.windsor.on.ca