Libraries concerned about possible cuts to free Internet access

Librarians across Northern Ontario are worried about potential loss of provincial funding that allows them to provide free Internet access to library patrons.

While many library boards are moving rapidly into digital services, Ontario has been cutting back on provincial government support for Internet access.

Last year, the provincial connectivity fund for libraries was significantly slashed.

This year, the government has expressed interest in adding $250,000 to the provincial budget to improve broadband access at libraries in small, rural and indigenous communities.

But that proposal is one of 13 projects, only eight of which will be implemented.

The projects will be chosen through an online poll that's part of his year's provincial budget talks.

The lack of assured funding has led to fears that some Northern Ontario libraries may no longer  be able to provide free Internet access,

"It definitely does affect the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library," says Roxanne Toth-Rissanen, the Sault's director of libraries.

"We receive some funding for providing Internet. For us it doesn't cover all the costs but it does help out. Without that funding we will have to take money from our other cost centres which puts us in the position of continually falling behind in fulfilling our mandate."

"Internet access for a large portion of our community is found at their public library. Part of the board's strategic plan is to be on the leading edge of technology and the new initiatives we have undertaken (such as the Near North Digital Media Lab) are a necessity if the members of our community are able to keep in step with all of the technological opportunities available to public libraries in Southern Ontario," Toth-Rissanen said.

"I hate to get into the us versus them debate but it is so difficult for Northern Ontario libraries to get our provincial and federal levels of government to fully comprehend our challenges."

Here are the other proposals that library Internet access is competing with for a total of $3 million in provincial fundng:

• Help Indigenous youth get teaching degrees and teach on reserve
• Use community service hours to teach life saving skills to high school students
• Create indoor farms in northern Indigenous communities
• Tree planting program in primary schools
• Ban retailers from throwing out/destroying unsold food
• Cargo bikes to deliver goods and transport people
• An online service for families to find doctors and doctors to find new patients
• Access your health data online using ID card and secure login
• Mobile app to gamify government and public interactions
• Online tool to help Ontario Works recipients access programs
• Internship marketplace for small businesses and students
• Internet access in libraries in rural, northern and Indigenous communities
• Speech-language pathologists in childcare centres

"While much of Ontario is connected to broadband access, there are many small, rural and Indigenous communities that do not have equitable access to the Internet and digital resources," says the Ontario Library Association.

"Ontarians who live in small, rural communities are limited by their location: they are unable to use the Internet to collaborate with others, research through online learning, gain tech-based skills, and participate in distance education programs."

"Libraries present a unique and affordable opportunity to provide communities with Internet access at home and in public libraries," the association says.

According to the association, 28 per cent of Ontarians rely on public libraries for Internet access, and that figure is higher in rural and remote areas of the province.

Deadline for voting on the 13 provincial budget proposals is midnight on February 23.

To vote for your three preferred projects, click here.