Statement on National School Library Day
VICTORIA—David Cubberley, NDP MLA for Saanich-South and Opposition critic for Education, made the following statement on National School Library Day:
Monday October 23 is National School Library Day, a day to acknowledge the important role school libraries play in providing our children a well-rounded, high-quality education.
Many of us have fond memories of learning to read. As children, reading transported us to new and unfamiliar places, and showed us new worlds to explore. It allowed us to experience the thrill of discovery, and indulged our sense of adventure. School libraries are a place where children can immerse themselves in this experience, while promoting life-long reading and learning.
There are strong links between quality school libraries and literacy in our children. Studies have shown that overall student performance improves when kids have access to well-resourced school libraries. And strong, young readers will soon grow into literate adults -- an essential skill in our growing economy.
School libraries also help students to develop important information skills. With the guidance of a professionally trained teacher librarian, students learn more about the world around them, and build important critical thinking and research skills.
Gordon Campbell promised to make our province the most literate jurisdiction in North America by 2010. And school libraries are key to reaching that goal. Unfortunately, the B.C. Liberal government hasn’t made that connection. They have made a number of cuts to school library resources that have had a negative effect on learning.
Teacher librarians are specially-trained to help students access library resources and use them effectively. But between 2001 and 2005, the B.C. Liberals cut teacher librarians by 23.4 percent. And while they have begun to give some of those resources back, we are far from the staffing levels seen in B.C. prior to 2001.
When our education system faces funding cuts, school boards have to make tough choices. These cuts often tend to hit school libraries first, because new books or staffing for libraries might seem like an expendable investment. But in reducing access for students, the government is short-changing our young learners in the long run.
As students across the province celebrate National School Library Day, it is my hope that the B.C. Liberal government will take a close look at what it can do to ensure that all B.C. students benefit from well-resourced school libraries -- so that everyone can enjoy the magic of reading.
And it is my hope that the B.C. Liberal government will commemorate this important day by proclaiming the fourth Monday in October B.C. School Library Day.