The library world has been buzzing over the last couple of weeks because of the recently announced cut to the Community Access Program, a federal program that provided funding for public internet access. Because much of the public internet access takes place in public libraries, this cut directly affects programming in public libraries across the country.
To get a sense of the conversation, here are a couple of reactions to the cuts, including an official statement from the Canadian Library Association:
- Canadian Library Association Dismayed at Cancellation of Community Access Program
- Michael Geist: Feds’ Quiet Cut to Community Web Access Program
The federal government has been fairly quiet in response to the reaction from libraries, but this 2009 report from Industry Canada, Final Evaluation of the Community Access Program, provides some sense of their thinking behind the cuts.
Take a look at the links above, and then let us know what you think about this budget cut.
