The BC Libraries Cooperative is pleased to announce that starting today it is accepting applications from BC public libraries to work with our Connectivity Consultant. This consultation is free of charge to libraries thanks to funds from the Ministry of Education, and is aimed at identifying current barriers to library connectivity and helping to develop plans to overcome these. The goal is that these consultations will result in either an immediate improvement of service, or will create a useful foundation to apply for further funding to that end.  The BC Libraries Cooperative currently has two funds that can help: the Connectivity Top-up Fund or the Strategic Network Hardware Fund, while other levels of government are working to improve both community and library connectivity in BC.

To apply, please visit https://digiprojects.libraries.coop/connectivity/connectivity-consultant/ and fill in the brief online form describing generally the problem you are facing.

The connectivity consultant is a limited resource – libraries are encouraged to apply immediately, even if they may not have availability of their own staff to work with the consultant right away. The Co-op will be prioritizing and scheduling these consultations as soon as they come in with an aim to begin the first engagements in September, 2020. Consulting engagements are expected to last less than six weeks and will be ongoing throughout the public library system until November 2021.