The year 2001 marks a special date in Laubach Literacy of Canada's history for many reasons. Not only is it the 20th anniversary of the organization's incorporation as a separate Canadian entity, but it also represents the 20th anniversary of the Book Distributorship, both of which officially opened in Saint John, N.B on November 21, 1981! Until 1981, Laubach in Canada operated as a member of NALA (National Affiliation for Literacy Advance), an organization to bring tutors together to exchange ideas, obtain training and develop training certification standards. However, there were problems with being a member of an American-based organization. Fundraising was difficult since there could be no tax deduction for contributions; problems were sometimes encountered clearing customs with books from New Readers Press, Laubach's publishing arm in Syracuse, N.Y. and the number of Canadian councils were growing. With the blessing of NALA's executive committee, the idea of a separate Laubach organization in Canada blossomed. With that idea grew the concept of the Distributorship. After all, if Laubach was going to operate independently in Canada, then councils and other customers who were ordering New Readers Press books should have a place to purchase materials within the country. Dorothy Creighton was the first Chairperson of the Distributorship, and Dee Ervin, as LLC's first Treasurer, set up the accounts to get the Distributorship operational. By 1982, the Distributorship was able to support its first staff and continued to grow its sales through the mentorship and advice of Gladys Neale, who was a Director on the National Board. In 1985, Gladys became the Chairperson of the Distributorship and two additional staff, Bea Arbo and Shirley Hansen, were hired. These three dedicated people grew the Distributorship and the publishing program into what we are familiar with today. Gladys Neale's expertise in the publishing and marketing fields led her to undertake many initiatives to expand the Canadian content available to the Distributorship's customers. She was a leader on the Board of Directors and made outstanding contributions to the Distributorship for 16 years. Bea and Shirley served as co-managers of the Distributorship until their retirement in June of 2000. During their 15 year tenure, both of these ladies came to stand for superior customer service and professionalism.
Today, LLC recognizes the importance of both carrying Canadian content, and the sale of books to fund many of the organization's activities that are not eligible for government funding. About 75% of LLC's sales come from non-members, such as school boards, libraries and institutions. This year, to mark its 20th anniversary, the Distributorship has a new name and some important new directions. Renamed New Readers Bookstore (NRB) and under the leadership of our Director of Marketing, Lilla Sinanan, Manager Lynne Ross and Customer Sales Representative Kevin Lagos, LLC hopes to grow NRB to a new level where it can increasingly support the programs of the organization. New Readers Bookstore is currently guided by the Product Development and Marketing Committee (PD&M), chaired by Vice-President Ellen Knickle with the assistance of PD&M volunteers, including a new sub-committee that has been created to focus on the issue of Canadian content. Our councils have been requesting Canadian content both for our core series and as supplementary material for many years. This new sub-committee and our staff will look at what it will take to create this material and how our marketing efforts can help make it a feasible undertaking. LLC's membership will be hearing much more from New Readers Bookstore and the PD&M Committee in the near future as we seek to increase sales and publishing and help the organization grow in the new millennium. Both NRB and the PD&M Committee will be instrumental to the future success of LLC's goal of serving our students and tutors better as we travel the road to creating a more literate Canada. |
