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MINISTERIAL RECOMMENDATIONS

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. An Electronic Community Information Network (ECIN) be established as an extension to the public library. Local public libraries and Freenet Association would be responsible for content and policies.

2. Regional Community Information Network Services (RCINS) be established to provide the network, computing, and telecommunications needs of the Community Information Networks of a region.

3. A user fee of $12.00 per year be established for the users of the services. Include provisions to wave this fee for economically less privileged.

4. Approval be given to an annul government grant of up to $80,000.00 for each RCINS to provide for two full-time positions.

5. Financial Details (cost to the government and municipals per RCINS):

Details in Analysis \xa6 46.

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            1995   1996   1997   1998   1999   
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                 current $ thousands      
Government  80    80    80    80    80    
Municipals  60    3     3     3     93    
                                          
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RATIONALE

6. Public access to information is a critical factor in a democratic society. The notion of Electronic Community Information Network has merits. The service will cost money and needs to be paid for. Grass root initiatives such as Free-Nets have financial difficulties to fullfil this mission.

7. Grass root initiatives in each region should be assessed before embarking on these recommendations in a that region. In absence of grass-root initiatives program may fail or cost much more than anticipated.

8. Electronic Community Information Network as a public service is a natural extension of the public library.

9. Failure to act on this issue could result in a greater gap between the general public and the privileged class with access to public information.

PROBLEMS AND STRATEGIES

11. Strategy: Emphasize on the roles the electronic community information network and the Free-Nets play in creating a computer literate public who would be potential clients for the private sector (Appendix, \xa6 2).

12. Problem: Rural areas and economically disadvantaged may lag behind in their connectivity.

13. Strategy: Public terminals installed at the public libraries and community centers should provide free access.

POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS

14. There are no political considerations.

DEPARTMENTAL POSITIONS

15. Ministry of Education is concerned that the adult education programs may be effected in a negative way by this development.

16. Ministry of Employment and Investment finds the recommendations in line with its efforts through its Science and Technology Division.

17. Ministry of Municipal Affairs is concerned about the concentration of public libraries in the Lower Mainland. This can result in substantially higher share of costs for these municipalities

[Signed]

Minister of X

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Foad Shodjai 
shodjai@sfu.ca
Centre for Policy Research on Science and Technology (CPROST)
Simon Fraser University
Vancouver, BC, CANADA