National Capital FreeNet / Libertel de la Capitale nationale

Elaine Condos - Candidate

Biography

Elaine Condos is Division Manager, Centralized and Information Services for the Ottawa Public Library (OPL). This Division includes the Library's Virtual Library Services department.

Elaine has twenty-five years of working with the public, including more than twenty years of public library experience including:

  • Reference Librarian at the Cambridge Public Library from 1981 to 1988.
  • Chief Librarian of the Thorold Public Library from 1988 to 1992. In her five years there, use of the library doubled.
  • Gloucester Public Library in the positions of Deputy Director in 1993, Acting Director in 1997, Director in 1999.
  • Division Manager for the new Ottawa Public Library since it was established through amalgamation in 2001.

Elaine is strongly committed to the library profession and holds memberships in the Canadian Library Association (CLA) and the Ontario Library Association. She is currently on the planning committee for the Access 2006 Conference being held in Ottawa.

What skills will you contribute to the NCF Board?

Elaine can offer the NCF Board extensive management experience and project management skills, as well as many years of involvement with library automated services. Elaine was lead for the implementation of automated library systems (including the on-line catalogue and circulation system) at both the Thorold and Gloucester public libraries. At OPL, she is responsible for the Virtual Library Services department which supports OPL's integrated library system (ILS) and OPL website.

What are the most important functions of NCF for its members?

The Ottawa Public Library's Mission Statement is to "nurture the love of reading and the pursuit of knowledge. People use the resources of the Ottawa Public Library to read, think, learn, interpret, imagine and connect with each other and the world." One of the ways in which this happens is through NCF services. NCF is a valuable public service, providing free access to information.

Why do you want to be an NCF director?

The Ottawa Public Library has played a role in the National Capital FreeNet (NCF) since its inception in 1992. OPL is currently upgrading both its public desktops and ILS software. On the new public desktops, OPL will provide a link to the FreeNet service. These services provide a more robust and reliable platform for local residents than other commercially available web-based services. In developing a new level of partnership with NCF, OPL can assist in supporting and promoting NCF services to OPL public PC patrons. In return OPL benefits through cross-marketing opportunities through the FreeNet's discussion groups and messaging services to its members.

The services provided by the National Capital FreeNet offer a natural tie-in with the library's technology-based training programs and public computer access. Library patrons will benefit from the advanced features of the NCF's service. This partnership will help to promote OPL's image as a community partnership leader, providing access to the best tools for library users.

By becoming a NCF director, Elaine will be able to strengthen and develop OPL's relationship with NCF, leading to better service for the public and Freenet users. Communication between OPL and NCF will be enhanced through Elaine's role as a director on the NCF Board.