The Information Policy Committee presented five resolutions:
1. Whereas the BCLA has a policy adopted at AGM to encourage the building of coalitions and to participate in coalitions directed towards the library principles of universal, equitable and affordable access to information and telecommunication networks and free access to government information; And whereas the BCLA was a founding member in the BC coalition for Information Access (BCCIA);
And whereas the BCCIA was instrumental in bringing community representation to the BC Electronic Highway Accord meetings and representing libraries, community networks, and community organizations at those meetings:
And whereas both public libraries and BC community networks benefited in a material way as the result of these interventions;
And whereas the objectives of the BCCIA are completely in concert with the CLA Information and Telecommunication Access Principles:
Motion: Be it therefore resolved that BCLA re-affirm its commitment to developing and working with coalitions on information and telecommunications policies;
And be it further resolved that this BCLA AGM officially confirm the membership of BCLA in the BCCIA:
And be it further resolved that BCLA encourage other BC library and community organizations to participate in the BCCIA. Moved. Percilla Groves; Seconded: Jacqueline van Dyk; Carried.
Discussion focused on issues of financial implications for BCLA's involvement.
2. Whereas the telephone is the most democratic and interactive instrument of the information age;
And whereas libraries are implementing a wide-range of information technology including remote computer access to catalogues, voice processing, and electronic notification of holds and overdues;
And whereas broad access to telephones is required to access libraries for information related questions, maintain contact for those physically isolated or isolated by virtue of age, health, or disability;
And whereas the CRTC granted the Stentor telephone companies local rate increases of $2.00 per month in both 1996 and 1997 on condition that long distance charges be reduced a comparable amount so the increase would be revenue neutral;
And whereas the Federal Cabinet in December 1995, on petition from Stentor, allowed the telephone companies to keep the local rate increases without reducing long distance charges, a windfall estimated to be $4.5 billion;
And whereas there is ample evidence that the Stentor companies have a long term policy of moving towards Local Metered Service (LMS) where there is a charge for each local call and for each minute of the call;
And whereas BC Telephone is proposing a "budget telephone" service which will cost $4.00 less per month but only allow 30 free calls and then charge $.25 per call thereafter,
And whereas increases to the local telephone rates will most adversely affect the old, the poor, and those living in rural areas;
And whereas the Canadian Library Association has opposed the rate increases and any introduction of Local Metered Services;
Motion: Be it resolved that BCLA oppose the local telephone rate increases and any move to Local Metered Services;
And be it further resolved that BCLA oppose the BC Telephone "budget service" proposal;
And be it further resolved that BCLA encourage other library organizations, community groups, and individual libraries to oppose these local service increases;
And be it further resolved that BCLA work with other provincial and national organizations to oppose these cost increases and any attempt to introduce Local Metered Service. Moved: Brian Campbell; Seconded; Jacqueline van Dyk; Carried with a friendly amendment.
Friendly amendment: to change the last line of Paragraph 8 to "persons who are old, poor, and living in rural areas."
Action: The Executive and/or the Information Policy Committee will write a letter(s) supporting this resolution.
3. Whereas the CaNet, the Internet backbone in Canada, has been run through a consortium of universities and especially through the University of Toronto;
And whereas the CaNet is a valuable public resource networking in Canada;
And whereas there are indications that Industry Canada is planning on privatizing CaNet;
Be it further resolved that BCLA oppose the planned privatization of CaNet.
Brian Campbell withdrew IPC's third resolution, to be referred to the BCLA Executive for action once further information is available.
4. Whereas the BC Electronic Highway Accord was developed with the participation of libraries;
And whereas the Accord calls for every library in BC to be equipped with terminals to access the Internet;
And whereas the BC Government has provided funds to begin the process of connecting all libraries to the Internet and training staff and the public;
Motion: Be it resolved that the BCLA congratulate the BC Government and Library Service Branch for their efforts to date. Moved: Paul Whitney; Seconded: Jacqueline van Dyk; Carried with a friendly amendment.
Friendly amendment: to qualify efforts with "successful."
5. Whereas the BC Electronic Highway Accord signed in October 1995 called for the establishment of an Electronic Highway Advisory Council;
And whereas the Information and Technology Access Office has already made a number of key policy decisions and the Advisory Council has still not been appointed;
And whereas the BCLA and the BC Coalition for Information Access called for broad-ranging public consultation on the implementation of information technology in the government and community;
Motion: Be it resolved that BCLA call on the Information and Technology Access Office to immediately establish the Electronic Highway Advisory Council with significant representation from libraries, community networks, and community organizations.
Be it further resolved that the Information and Technology Access Office initiate province-wide consultations and public education on the social and policy issues associated with the implementation of the Electronic Highway Accord in BC. Moved: Brian Campbell; Seconded: Barbara Jo May; Carried.
Action: The BCLA Executive will formulate the appropriate contact with the Information and Technology Access Office.
The sixth resolution received was moved as follows:
Motion: Whereas the Information Policy Committee was instrumental in the shaping of the Electronic Highway Accord and the subsequent provincial support provided to public libraries to assist them in becoming public points of access to the Electronic Highway, be it resolved that the Association conveys its sincere appreciation to the members of the Information Policy Committee for their valued contribution. Moved: Pat Appavoo; Seconded: Ron Clancy; Carried.