About PCIN

What is it?

The Perth County Information Network (PCIN) is a computerized library network that enables the residents of Perth County to have access to the resources of all of the participating libraries.

Who created the Network?

In 1997, the Chief Executive Officers of Perth County's libraries began discussing ways of sharing services in order to achieve economies of scale, especially in the area of book purchasing. Within two years these discussions had expanded and reached fruition, and the founding members of PCIN signed contracts to proceed with the implementation of a system that would create a "virtual" library network in Perth County, provide a common library automation system for all of the participating libraries and allow patrons of each of the libraries access to the Internet.

The founding members are:

• Perth East Public Library (Milverton)
• West Perth Public Library (Mitchell)
• Stratford Public Library  

  The Stratford-Perth Archives joined the network on January 2002.

How is PCIN governed?

In 2000, PCIN incorporated as an independent organization with a Board of Directors that is composed of two representatives elected from each of the founding members' Board of Trustees. A list of the current Board Members can be found here.

What are the benefits of belonging to PCIN?

• Member Autonomy

  Each member library retains its autonomy, while benefiting from the advantages of a voluntary co-operative partnership.

• Shared Expertise and Improved Service

  Using the expertise developed at Stratford Public Library (which implemented computerized operations in 1988), member libraries are able to automate their operations at minimum cost as well as use software that is already in place in Stratford. Since Stratford has trained cataloguers and technical staff to do that work, staff in the other libraries have more time to provide public service.

• County-Wide Access to Information and Collections

  Information about community services and recreational resources is available to all residents of Perth County, in addition to access to the collections of all participating libraries.

• Cost Savings through Centralized Services and Purchasing

  Central acquisition and processing functions through PCIN reduce duplication of effort in each of the members libraries; as well as an estimated saving of 39% annually in purchasing costs.

• Collaboration in Operations and Services

  Member libraries now have a mechanism to collaborate in the areas of program planning, policy development, training and collection development (enabling member libraries to use their budgets to broaden the scope of their collections rather than duplicate materials now available throughout the county).

What is the potential for growth?

The connectivity model that has been created to support the Perth County Information Network now makes it possible for any non-profit, public service organization, whose roles, resources and operations are compatible with the libraries of Perth County, to join PCIN and enjoy the benefits of membership outlined above.

For further information about PCIN membership, please contact:

Ted Boniface
PCIN Board Chair,
c/o Stratford Public Library

What are the combined resources of PCIN?

Some of the resources available through the PCIN network, as of July 28th, 2007.

Special Facilities & Resources

Community Access Program

The Community Access Program (CAP) is a Government of Canada initiative, administered by Industry Canada, that aims to provide Canadians with affordable public access to the Internet and the skills they need to use it effectively.  Under CAP, PCIN member libraries act as “on-ramps” to the Information Highway, helping the citizens of Perth County take advantage of emerging opportunities in the new global knowledge-based economy.

PCIN CAP sites can be found at:

• Perth East Public Library

• Stratford Public Library

• West Perth Public Library

Internet Wi-Fi Hotspot - Stratford Public Library

Patrons and guests are able to access the Internet from their own wireless capable devices in the Library. Users must first agree to the Library's Internet Accceptable Use Agreement before accessing the web. This is an unencrypted 802.11n wireless basestation with beacon identification (SSID) of HOTSPOT. The station works with both Windows and Apple computers.

Chalmers Public Theatre Resource Collection

The Chalmers Public Theatre Resource Collection, established in 1990 to complement the presence of the Shakespearean Festival in Stratford, is an extensive collection of theatre-related material. It includes print and video copies of all of Shakespeare's works; print, video and microfiche texts of the world's great classical plays; a vast reference section (e.g. costume, social history and mores, literary criticism); British and North American theatre journals; and reviews, playbills and articles on each of the Festival's productions since 1953.

Multilingual Collection

The libraries' English and French materials are catalogued and listed on the PCIN online library catalogue. Not included, but also available, are materials in other languages. These currently include:

• Books: Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Dutch, German, Greek, Hindi, Polish, Punjabi, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Tamil, Ukranian, Vietnamese

• Videos: Dutch, German, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Chinese, Polish

The multilingual collection are rotated regularly within the Southern Ontario library network, so that new materials and different mixes of languages are available to library patrons every few months.