E-library Strategy

In 2003 the Waterloo Public Library began implementing its eLibrary strategy, focusing on teaching the community to understand and use new technologies while making new technologies accessible to everyone in the community, regardless of social or economic status. The library recognizes that broadband makes a wide range of both formal and informal learning opportunities more accessible for learners of all ages and backgrounds and it is becoming an ICT (Information and Communications Technology) learning centre in the community.

In 2003 the library introduced free access to e-books for children to support early literacy through the high-speed integration of sounds, images, text and data into multimedia form. The following year a collection of 7,000 e-book titles for adults was added to the Waterloo library on-line catalogue. Community members can check these books in and out electronically, using their Waterloo library card, and read the-books without charge, either within the library or from their own computer.

In 2005 the Waterloo library launched its virtual e-branch in conjunction with the Ontario Digital Library project. The e-branch includes a wide-range of electronic resources, and provides access to hundreds of thousands of newspaper and magazine articles to everyone in the community. The ultimate goal of the e-branch and of the Ontario Digital Library project is to eliminate the barriers to electronic access that exist, and to create a more consistent province-wide service for library users.

Connected with other partners through WREPNET (Waterloo Regional Education and Public Network) the Waterloo library provides free workstation and wireless access to over thirty public Internet-enabled workstations within the library, and remote access to a wide range of local and global resources. To support those in the community who are not able to readily or easily access wireless devices, the library is introducing a Loanable Laptop program to make portable devices available for use free-of-charge at the library.

A second project is currently underway at the library to use Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) technology to enhance self-service options to the public, and to improve inventory and security practices.

City of Waterloo Government

Since the early 1990's the City of Waterloo has looked to technology and broadband to increase citizen participation in democracy, improve access to local government and provide increased opportunities for e-business.

In 1993, Waterloo was the recipient of the Municipal Information Systems Best Practices Award. That same year, the City was recognized with a Municipal Information Systems Leadership Award for Innovation in Electronic Public Information Access, a Willis Award from ACAM-CAMA, and Honourable Mention in the Canadian Productivity Awards.

All of these awards were given in recognition of the CityLine (one of the first endeavors in Canada to provide civic information through public access bulletin board systems) and CityFacts (a fax-on-demand service and a public information kiosk, to provide recreation information using audio, video, text and graphics) projects, which were Waterloo's early achievements, leading to expanded on-line, Internet-enabled service delivery.

Since those early successes, the City of Waterloo has continued to innovate and has embraced broadband as a transformative technology. In Waterloo, broadband is changing the way local government works. Agendas and minutes for all Council and committee meetings are available to the public on-line, and services such as tax assessment comparison tools, a business directory (and order form), city program registration, marriage license applications, registration for overnight parking and interactive maps are also available electronically through the municipal website.

Waterloo makes extensive use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS), including the tracking of city vehicles such as salt trucks to enhance productivity and manage potential insurance issues, as well as mapping applications that provide information about legal, licensed housing for the large student population within the community.

During the 2005 budget planning and preparation process, the City of Waterloo staff also tested an electronic prioritization tool for capital projects.