September 8, 2005
Coquitlam Public Library Rrcieves $37,300 to Promote Literacy and Improve Technology
Coquitlam – As part of the BC Liberal Government’s goal to make British Columbia the best educated and most literate jurisdiction in North America and to mark International Literacy Day, the Coquitlam Public Library will receive a $37,300 funding boost to improve technology services and promote literacy.
“Despite British Columbia’s prosperity, there are still those in our province who lack basic literacy skills,” said Harry Bloy, MLA for Burquitlam. “There is no greater joy than being able to read to your children or grandchildren, that is why our government has placed literacy at the top of our agenda.”
The Coquitlam Public Library will receive two grants for a total of $37,300. The first grant, worth $24,300, will support literacy programs, including training staff to deliver early literacy, helping libraries purchase special collections in other languages and supporting libraries to partner at a local level with other literacy services. The second grant, worth $13,000, will be used towards technology to help libraries participate in electronic opportunities in the future.
“With today being International Literacy Day, it is important to realise there are still people in our province who struggle with reading a newspaper or ordering from a menu,” said Iain Black, MLA for Port Moody – Westwood. “In a country as rich as Canada, illiteracy is unacceptable. Any initiative to help more people read and write is welcome.”
The funding is part of $1.8 million in new literacy dollars announced today by Education Minister Shirley Bond and is a component of the BC Government’s $12 million investment over three years to implement the public library strategic plan, Libraries Without Walls. This plan will bring broadband Internet into every branch, provide a 24-hour virtual reference desk and set up a One Card system to give every British Columbian access to books from any library in the province.
Over the past year, the BC Government has invested and committed more than $40 million towards literacy, including $5 million for literacy innovation grants, $1.4 million for adult literacy, $5 million for LiteracyNow, $10 million for textbooks and $3 million for Ready, Set Learn – a program for preschoolers.
-30-
