This report is produced during a time of rapid technology change in the communications infrastructure standards and products available.

Many of the changes are driven by three main events:

• the widespread adoption of Internet-connected applications and devices around the world by consumers, businesses and governments is centralizing the delivery of many functions, services and retail markets.
• the rapid increase in major security threats in the Internet being generated by both organized crime and intelligence agencies of large governments.
• the continuous improvement in the processor speeds and storage capacity of electronic devices to deliver very complex functions in ever smaller physical packaging.

In 2020, these events were amplified by the physical isolation of individuals and communities due to the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. This created a higher demand for faster Internet connectivity and functionality across all geographic areas of British Columbia.

The most visible examples of this are:

• the explosive adoption of remote learning applications in schools, companies and government
• the use of remote telemedicine services rather than in-person doctor visits
• Work From Home transitions for professions of all types in commerce and government
• the rapid change to Internet-based shopping for all products including groceries
• the adoption of food delivery services from restaurants instead of eating at the restaurant

And it is entirely possible these changes will become long term and not just temporary adaptations of behaviour. These changes have raised the importance of, and changed the priority for, infrastructure improvements and the adoption of technology tools and applications in public libraries in British Columbia. This is seen in the increased use of the digital and audio books by patrons while the physical branches were closed and by the community demand for WIFI and access to the Internet in the public areas around the closed branches.

Governments have also reacted to the immediate need for Internet services in rural and remote areas of Canada by accelerating communications infrastructure building projects. This is being built by the telecommunications service providers who are the primary commercial owners of the technology and the main source of the expertise needed for this expansion.

The Canadian Library Association and the Canadian Federation of Library Associations recognize that access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is an essential part of the universal access to information that Canadian libraries provide and support. For this reason, it is important that Public Libraries in BC continue to upgrade their understanding of the connectivity challenges and technologies. This will help them to offer new digital programs as well as more traditional services going forward.