About Us

Community Access Program centers began service in three of our local libraries in 1998.  In 1999 we expanded to five libraries.  CAP is a non-profit project whose objective it is to provide computer facilities and internet access to those who might otherwise not have them.  The project is a partnership with the municipality of Alfred-Plantagenet with start-up funding provided by Industry Canada as part of the federal government's goal of making Canada the most connected country in the world.  The 5 CAP centers, community web site and message board continue to be entirely managed and maintained by volunteers!

Our public access centers are popular with people of all age groups, especially so with kids who need to complete school projects.  And why not?  Free Internet Access, a variety of software, scanner, CD burner, colour and laser printer (nominal charge for printing) and in some locations, a DVD Rom.  Users can also search the library catalogue system from most any of the PC's.  From time to time we even get tourists dropping in, wanting to access their email while away from home and work.

With funding from Industry Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Culture and Tourism, we upgraded to a terrestrial wireless High Speed Internet service in September 2002.  That’s right!  No more dial-up service!  High Speed Internet is here! And it doesn't tie up the phone line.  

At a 256kbps rate subscription (the slowest option), users have definitely noticed the improvement.  Of course, the speed decreases when all computer stations download at the same time, but not as bad as when we were on dial-up!  Perhaps you would like to take a test drive?  Come visit us during regular library hours. The evenings tend to be busy though, you may need to reserve a seat.

What’s more, businesses and residents in Alfred, Curran, Lefaivre, Plantagenet and Wendover may also subscribe to high speed internet, provided they have line-of-sight to our radio tower at the Plantagenet library, the Alfred water tower or the Wendover water tower.  The initial cost of equipment and installation are a bit pricey, but the monthly subscription price is competitive.  For more information and prices, you can visit our service provider at www.hawk.igs.net   

Our website www.bibap.org is an evolving work.  Initially set-up as a launch pad for users in our CAP centers, we soon realized more and more people were visiting our website from "out there".  So we created pages for each village, a place where each community could showcase their stuff.  These contain pictures, links for our libraries, community organizations and a history page.  (In the future I hope to see a lot more of our community organizations represented on-line.)  We also added a Message Board, a place where anyone can post upcoming events, personal classified ads, information, opinions etc..... we even get people researching their genealogy. 

For more information or comments, please sent a message to bibapnet@yahoo.com or visit your local librarian.

PS:  I often get asked "bibap, what does that mean?  A music genre? A dance-step?"  No..... it's simply Bibliotheques d'Alfred-Plantagenet.