NB 294
March 28, 2002
FREDERICTON (CNB) - New Brunswickers can now search the provincial public library catalogue live on the Internet.
A new Web site entitled 'Vision' will allow patrons to search for books, videos, music recordings and other resources available at the public libraries and bookmobiles of the province. They will be able to tell at a glance if these materials are available or on loan and which library has a copy before going to the library for the book, video or recording they want.
Registered library patrons will also be able to use the site to check their library accounts and renew items online.
"By making the provincial catalogue available anywhere there is an Internet connection, the province's public libraries take an important step forward in increasing access to their resources," Education Minister Dennis Furlong said. "This is just the first step and we plan to add other online features in due course."
The catalogue is one of an increasing number of online library services available to the public, including the recently-launched provincial Web site and the virtual reference library and electronic information resources which will be available soon.
"This is very much in keeping with the government's eNB.ca strategy as contained in Greater Opportunity: New Brunswick's Prosperity Plan," Furlong said. "In the prosperity plan, we have established as one of our priorities to provide all appropriate government services online by 2005. I'm happy to say public library service is on the same page in moving in this direction."
The new site can be found at: http://vision.gnb.ca.
It can also be accessed from the New Brunswick Public Library Service's main Web page at: http://www.gnb.ca/0003/nbpls.htm
02/03/28
MEDIA CONTACTS: Steven Benteau, communications, Department of Education, 506 444-4714; David Campbell, New Brunswick Public Library Service, 506-444-3491.
02/03/28