The purpose of iCON (information and Culture Online Now!) is to offer everyone access to information and communications technology (ICT). It exemplifies the thinking behind the government’s People’s Network project which will see all the UK’s public libraries connected to the Internet by the end of 2002. Memorably described by former UK Culture Secretary Chris Smith as our street-corner universities, libraries are the ideal place to give everyone the opportunity to experience the new opportunities for learning available on the Internet.

iCON’s twenty state of the art computers are all Internet-ready and each has Microsoft Office software installed. Project Manager Stephen Hegarty explained the thinking behind iCON:

Northern Ireland lags a little behind other UK regions in terms of Internet access. Statistics suggest less than 20% of households have Internet access. iCON opens up ICT and the World Wide Web to everyone regardless of age or ability. Already we have welcomed a wide cross-section of the community, with many of our keenest users being senior citizens embarking on their first real experience of the new technology.

Ease of access underlies the iCON service and height adjustable tables, large key keyboards and easy to manipulate trackerballs all contribute to an effortless encounter with the new technology.

iCON opened to the public in mid-September and already over 220 people have registered as users. The week of the launch also saw a number of events designed to explore the possibilities and potential of ICT. Sessions included beginners’ guides to shopping on the Net, booking holidays and travel online, child-friendly Internet searching and creating music on computer. Several of the sessions were oversubscribed and more will follow as Bangor Branch Library Manager Stephen Hanson explains:

iCON will be running a number of events in future to demystify the new technology and boost the confidence of new computer users. There is an endless list of computer topics that would benefit from clear, jargon-free explanation. Our staff, all of whom have undergone ICT training, have already been able to introduce many clients to computers in an unpressurised, user-friendly way.

Drawing a parallel between the enlightened and visionary aims of the founding fathers of the public library movement and today’s forward thinking service, Joy Campbell, Chairman of SEELB Library and Information Committee, recalled the early days of Bangor Library:

Although times have changed since 1910 when the library opened thanks to the philanthropy of Andrew Carnegie and the vision of the citizens of Bangor, the underlying purpose of universal access to information and learning remains the same today.

Recalling the first days of Bangor Library, Mrs Campbell revealed that the building had originally accommodated a Ladies’ Room, which was exclusively for female use and offered slightly more home comforts than the rest of the library:

It’s amazing how manners and mores have been transformed from those early pioneering days. iCON’s ethos is that of social inclusion and access for all. But, even though a Ladies’ Room would seem incongruous and irrelevant today, I am certain the founders of Bangor Library would thoroughly approve of iCON.

Chief Librarian Beth Porter, thanking all those involved in the development of iCON, expects the service to attract a new generation of library clients:

Already iCON has been a runaway success. About half of iCON’s users so far have not previously been library members. We are delighted to welcome new clients into the library. As well as using iCON we will be encouraging them to try the many other services on offer in our libraries.

Predicting a future where all libraries will be able to offer ICT services, she continued:

iCON gives a foretaste of the library of the future. The government’s plans to connect all libraries to the Net are well advanced. While books remain our priority, ICT can open up new worlds of information and learning. Libraries offer a comfortable, neutral, community based environment where people can progress at their own pace without any pressure. All library staff will receive ICT training so that we can offer practical support to anyone who needs a user-friendly helping hand with the new technology.

iCON is open during normal library opening hours: 10am – 8pm, Monday to Wednesday, 10am – 5pm, Friday, and 10am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm, Saturday. There is no charge to register as an iCON user.

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