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Toronto, Ontario January 4, 2007 – Effective today, all Ontarians can enjoy free access to a core of digital
information resources, including full-text of magazines, newspapers, journals, essays, encyclopedias,
dictionaries and eBook collections. Available to anyone within a public, school, college
or university library, or from home with a library card and Internet connectivity, these resources go well
beyond what is currently available on the open Web. Knowledge Ontario, with seed funding provided by the
Province of Ontario through the Ministry of Culture negotiated licenses to these authoritative and rich
information resources for the use and benefit of all Ontarians.
Knowledge Ontario is a province-wide collaboration of libraries (public, school, college and university)
responsible for the creation of a suite of services and programs to support the information and learning
needs of all Ontarians. Licensing of these core resources is just one of a series of exciting initiatives that
includes providing access to Ontario’s digital cultural heritage (Our Ontario) and real time chat services that
enlist the services and expertise of information professionals (Ask Ontario).
“The information we’ve licensed is needed by Ontarians daily, whether they are a citizen
seeking health information, a student working on a homework assignment, a researcher in a University lab,
or an entrepreneur looking for insight on a business venture,” said Peter Rogers, Chair of the Knowledge
Ontario Management Group. “This initiative exemplifies Knowledge Ontario’s goals – providing equity of
high-quality, trusted digital information for Ontarians so they can maximize their potential to develop
information and learning skills and be more competitive in today’s knowledge economy.”
The resources, which offer information relevant to Ontarians at all stages of life, roll out across the province
for two years, beginning in January 2007. Subject coverage includes materials in health, business, general
reference, research, science, technology, current news, Sampling of the information available can be found
at http://access.gale.com/ontario/ and www.ebscohost.com/KnowledgeOntario.
About Knowledge Ontario
Knowledge Ontario is the first ever province-wide collaboration of libraries (public, school, college and
university) working together to create an integrated and interactive digital environment about, and for,
Ontarians. Collaborating with archives, museums, heritage organizations, and community groups this
innovative venture is designed to support the information and learning needs of Ontarians. The Knowledge
Ontario initiative is supported by the Province of Ontario. For more information visit
www.knowledgeontario.ca
Media Inquiries: Gerda Molson, Interim Executive Director, Knowledge Ontario, 416-363-3388 x43
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