Announcing eLearning Site at Richmond Public Library (BC, Canada)

[Shirley Lew]

	FirstClass Systems Launches eLearning Site with Richmond Public
Library 
	in British Columbia, Canada

	Richmond Public Library (RPL) and FirstClass Systems Corporation
(FCS) have launched an eLearning portal to provide Web Based Training (WBT).
Working in partnership, FCS provides a fully hosted eCommerce driven
technology-based eLearning site for library staff and customers, called the
Online Learning Center 
	[http://rpl.gofcs.com/ or a use the direct link from
www.rpl.richmond.bc.ca]. 

	FCS's usual customers are corporations and businesses who want to
expand training resources for their employees.  FCS saw public libraries as
a way to market Web-based training to a wider, more varied audience.  This
is the first public institution they have partnered with and the first time
RPL has offered services of this kind.  FCS creates and purchases/leases the
course content from others, and they design and maintain the Web site. The
library contributes to the content and organization of the site.  FCS
benefits by the exposure that our library and Web site offers, and the
library generates revenue by receiving a percentage of each sale purchased
through the Web site. 

	Most courses are downloaded and run within a Web browser so users
don't need to install any additional software. They take an average of four
to five hours to complete, and customers have unlimited access to the course
for three months. The cost varies between $59 and $120 per course, and you
don't need a Richmond Library card to access them. Courses include: Java
Programming, Data Warehousing, Coping With Stress and Project Management.  

	There are also some free Online Learning Center courses, available
only to Richmond Library cardholders. These include selected modules of
Fundamentals of MS Word 2000, Basic SQL Programming, Fundamentals of Java
Programming, Fundamentals of MS Access 2000, GUI Design Essentials, and
Getting Started with MS Excel 2000.  Customers can purchase complete courses
from this portal using their credit card. 

	The Online Learning Center allows the library to offer specific
training without having to build and maintain a whole new site. Since most
libraries are struggling to generate alternative sources of funding, this is
a perfect opportunity to offer a new service, while enjoying the benefits of
this affiliate-type relationship. Libraries wanting to provide Online
Learning for their customers can start their own partnerships with FCS,
based on Richmond Public Library's model.

	FirstClass Systems Corporation [http://www.firstclass.ca/] is a
leading provider of eLearning options for corporate, government and
individual clients. They develop and market educational and training
products that cater to information technology professionals. FCS has one of
the largest eLearning/computer-based training libraries, offering more than
1,800 courses, and using extensive graphics and animation. Founded in 1987,
FCS has its main office in Surrey, British Columbia, with sales offices in
major urban centers throughout North America, and serves over 3,000
companies, including AT&T, ClearNet Communications and IBM.   

	This partnership represents a unique way for libraries to generate
alternative sources of funding.  You can get more information about how to
partner with FCS by calling Brian Taylor, Vice President of Development for
FirstClass Systems at (604) 592-0552 ext. 226.  Or contact Shirley Lew,
Librarian, Richmond Public Library at (604) 231-6408 or
shirley.lew at rpl.richmond.bc.ca