News Release Archive
EDUCATION/CULTURE--INFORMATION RIGHTS WEEK ----------------------------------------------------------------- Education and Culture Minister John MacEachern today proclaimed April 28 - May 4 as Information Rights Week in Nova Scotia. Information Rights Week is celebrated across the country as a way to focus on public access to information. "In this information-driven economy, the Nova Scotia government is committed to providing Nova Scotians with the up-to-date information they need to play an active role in shaping the economic and social future of Nova Scotia," the minister said. EDnet, the Department of Education and Culture's Wide Area Network, provides schools and libraries with cost effective access to the Internet and its many resources. The EDnet web site, which is part of the Nova Scotia government's home page, links Nova Scotians to the department's resources, including the provincial library and museums. It also allows access to current news releases and publications, as well as information on various government agencies, boards and commissions. Students with student loans can also use EDnet to check the status of their loan applications. Nova Scotia Community College campuses, College de l'Acadie learning centres, public libraries, museums, and many public schools are assessing the Internet through Ednet. The provincial library's public electronic information system, NcompasS, provides direct user-friendly access to library databases throughout Nova Scotia, (including Novanet) via Ednet, and also links to various databases around the world. Having access to information is one thing, but knowing how to use it is another. For access to information to be relevant, said the minister, one must be able to read and understand the information provided. The Department of Education and Culture is committed to community literacy and offers various distance education programs that help Nova Scotians to upgrade their education. Through Network Nova Scotia, Nova Scotians across the province can get access to high school, community college, university, and other education programs. In addition, the Atlantic Education Network, via ASN, provides access to 26 hours of educational programming each week. "We live in a world that has information at its fingertips," said Mr. MacEachern. "As a government, we are doing our utmost to ensure that up-to-date information is available to Nova Scotians; however, it is up to individuals to use the information to potentially increase their social and economic opportunities." Information Rights Week is being spear-headed by libraries across Canada, as well as the Canadian Library Association. -30- NOTE TO EDITORS: There is an accent aigu on the first "e" in College (College de l'Acadie). Contact: Marion Pape 902-424-2457 jlw April 26, 1996 10:40 a.m.