Come Read With Me! Update

Now in its third year, Come Read With Me! is no stranger to most English schools in public boards across the province.

We know that the activity is a success in a number of ways. More than one school has reported a new interest in literacy among their staff and literacy programs in their schools. Others appreciate the focus on Canadian literature. Still others are enthusiastic about this approach to encouraging their students to read and express their ideas.

Finally, one can only imagine the effect that the prizes have on winning students and their school libraries. Given the current budget restraints, most schools welcome the opportunity to put new books on their library shelves. As for the winners, we have seen their excitement as they anticipate the experience of choosing their very own new books at Babar.

For all of these reasons, we are so pleased to be able to see CRWM grow. This year, we see a marked increase in numbers of schools, classes and school boards who have expressed strong interest. All English school boards in the public sector have submitted applications; this translates into 70 schools and 220 classes across all elementary cycles.

Deadline for submissions is April 15 after which a panel of judges and Marie Louise Gay, our Honorary Chairperson, will make their selections. Watch our website for more information about winners and details about an Awards Ceremony.

Children’s Literacy at the Fraser-Hickson Library

The Children’s Library at the Fraser-Hickson Library is carrying out several excellent programs for children of all ages.

Mother Goose Storytelling is a wonderful opportunity for 1 to 2 year olds to experience rhymes, songs and story telling. This program is offered free of charge, but donations are welcome. Mother Goose Storytelling is offered once a week for 10 weeks, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Children must be library members.

Storytelling and the Art of Imagination is something for children ages 3 to 5. Joanne Cutler invites them to explore the world of books and the art of storytelling. Sessions are being offered April 1, 15; May 6, 28 and June 3, 17 in English at $3 per session. Children must be library members.

Reading With Children is being offered at no charge every Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in the Children’s Library. Animators will read a story with children ages 12 and under. Children must be accompanied by a parent/caregiver, be library members and register in advance. This is a bilingual activity.

For information about any of the above activities, phone the library at (514) 489-5301 ext. 5.

Budget 2005: Good News for Literacy

In the March issue of Federal Literacy Facts, The Movement for Canadian Literacy reports the following:

The recent federal budget (at www.fin.gc.ca) contained some welcome news for the literacy community. The National Literacy Secretariat will receive $30 million in additional funding spread out over the next three years ($5 million in year one, $10 million in year two and $15 million in year three). The Workplace Skills Strategy, which includes initiatives to support workplace literacy and essential skills development, will receive $125 million over the next three years.

In addition, and possibly the most promising news of all, the federal government has committed to work with partners to develop a "comprehensive strategy in support of literacy and essential skills development".