Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the work undertaken by Vancouver Public Library (VPL) in an effort to convert its website into a true virtual branch, both through the functionality of the website itself and by extending its web presence on to external social networking sites. Design/methodology/approach: VPL worked with its…

Public and school libraries having begun as an outgrowth of each other and then separated, have some overlap in philosophy, function, and public served. Although studies have opposed the combined school and public library, communities continue to attempt mergers largely for promise of dollar savings. There is also a philosophical trend in…

In 1975 a study of the Ontario (Canada) public library system was undertaken in order to develop plans for organizing, financing, and coordinating public libraries in the next ten years. From published reports, interviews, letters, and examination of facilities and available data, information was collected on provincial and county library…

Deliberations of the Five Year Plan Committee in 1970 uncovered a need for a separate study on the organization of public libraries in the greater Vancouver area. The results of such a study, conducted in 1971, are contained in this report. Part I dwells on the details of the rapid growth of the Vancouver area in the hope that those responsible…

A four-part survey of top administrators, their deputies, and board chairmen of selected large U.S. and Canadian public libraries was conducted to determine whether administrators and deputies have acquired the skills necessary for effective management. Analysis of the responses indicates that managers have adequate skills, but there is room for…

In 1974 a study was made of alternatives for centralized book processing for the South Central Regional Library (SCRL) of Ontario, Canada. The planners first examined the general benefits of centralized processing as to staff, time, space, standardization cost, coordination, and utilization of new technology, and then examined these benefits…

The community characteristics and the present library services of the borough of Etobicoke, Ontario, were studied in order to make recommendations for improved service. It was concluded that the major changes to be expected in the area were an increasing population and increasing numbers of ethnic minority residents. It was recommended that a new…

Papers on the impact of information technology on library services and the provision of library services to ethnic and linguistic minorities which were presented at the 1982 International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) conference include: (1) "The Challenge of Electronic Technologies to the Information Society: A Call for…

Step-by-step description of the community analysis and survey project undertaken by Grande Prairie Public Library (Alberta, Canada) includes discussion of use of American Library Association's "Planning Process for Public Libraries" as a guideline for designing staff, citizen, and user surveys. Statement of revenue and expenses (1982) is…

Describes the development of a consumer health information service, InfoHealth, which is operated by the Kingston Public Library (Ontario). Cooperative planning between public, academic, and hospital libraries and community health organizations is described; acquisition of materials is explained; and staffing and promotion of the service are…

Describes how multicultural library services have contributed to the promotion, support, and preservation of the cultural and linguistic identity of the community being served, using the Public Library of Scarborough in Ontario (Canada) as a case study. Observation reveals the importance of commitment, planning, and methodology. (SLD)

Canada has tried many combinations of school-housed public libraries, and in general, both school and public library authorities agree that the combination has not successfully met the requirements for service of the two distinct institutions, each with its differing roles and goals. This statement on the school-housed public library in Alberta is…

The Barrie Public Library was studied as part of a larger commission authorized by the Georgian Bay Regional Library Board. Analysis was restricted to local policies and procedures which were under the full control of the Barrie Public Library board and staff. Aspects of library services provided on a cooperative basis--interlibrary loan, 16mm…

The Owen Sound Public Library was studied as part of a larger commission authorized by the Georgian Bay Regional Library Board. Analysis was restricted to local policies and procedures with recommendations designed to improve those services which are under the full control of the Owen Sound library board and staff. Aspects of library services…

In 1971 a study was made of library services in the Georgian Bay Region, which includes Bruce, Grey, Dufferin, and Simcoe counties in Ontario, Canada. The region covered a complex variety of library jurisdictions, from county libraries to numerous city, town, village, township, and Indian libraries. The study encompassed current status and…