[LM_NET] FW: Good News from the Ontario, CA Min. of Education for school libraries

[Pat Elliott <pat.elliott@ROGERS.COM>]

Hello LM_NETTERS, 

Here in Ontario Canada we have some wonderful news to share from our Ontario
School Library Association president-please read on--- (and hopefully this
type of support for school libraries from your governments will be
forthcoming to all in 2009.)

Pat Elliott

Teacher-Librarian
Hewitt's Creek P.S.
Barrie, Ontario Canada

pat.elliott@rogers.com

 _____ 

From: osla-l@accessola.com [mailto:osla-l@accessola.com] On Behalf Of
Weaver, Lisa
Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 2:02 PM
To: School library members
Subject: Good News from the Ministry

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/nr/09.01/nr0120.html

More details to follow:

Elementary Students Get 750,000 Gifts Of Reading

McGuinty Government Negotiates Book Discounts For School Libraries

January 20, 2009

Elementary students will soon have access to thousands more books and
valuable resources in their school libraries.

A first-ever agreement between the government and 73 booksellers will allow
school boards to buy library books and other resources at a significant
discount - one that many school boards would not have obtained otherwise.
The vendors are small, medium and large book sellers that represent 37
communities across Ontario. They include independent and specialty book
stores as well as larger chains, publishers and distributors. This
investment is good for Ontario's economy as vendors are required to have a
presence in the province.

Agreements were sent to vendors last week and books are expected to begin
arriving in elementary school libraries in March.

School libraries play an important role in student literacy. Children who
develop strong reading skills in elementary school have a better chance at
success in high school and beyond.

Quotes

"This agreement represents a double investment by the Ontario government.
When school libraries buy more books, they are stimulating both the economy
and the minds of our elementary students," said Education Minister Kathleen
Wynne.

We applaud the Government of Ontario for taking this precedent-setting step
toward advancing literacy, curiosity and the love of reading. It is an
inspired response to in-depth research confirming the relationship between
well-stocked public school libraries and student literacy and performance,"
said Heather Reisman, chair of Indigo Books and Music and the Indigo Love of
Reading Foundation.

"Thanks to the discounts in the agreement, we'll be able to stretch the
dollars the government is providing to buy even more resources. The new
books will provide a real boost for libraries in our elementary schools,"
said Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board Chair Jessica Brennan.

Quick Facts

*       School boards will receive pricing discounts ranging from five to 50
per cent.

*       The $15-million library book investment will provide a minimum of
$1,500 for every elementary school in the province with a typical school of
300 students receiving over $3,000.

*       Since 2003, the government has provided $86 million in one-time
funding for textbooks and library resources.

*       Children with early exposure to books and reading will be better
equipped for performing mathematical tasks in addition to having strong
literacy skills.

Lisa Radha Weaver
Unit-Coordinator, Technical Services
Toronto District School Board
OSLA President 2008
http://www.accessola.com/osla

It doesn't matter how slow you go as long as you don't stop. -Confucius






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