National Strategy for Early Literacy - Do public libraries have a role?

You are invited to comment on the following post. Thank you to Lita Barrie, President, Canadian Association of Children's Librarians for preparing this submission.


National Strategy for Early Literacy

Submission from the Canadian Association of Children’s Librarians

In response to the question posed, “What should be done to improve the literacy skills of Canadian children and youth?” There is one simple piece to the answer, include Canadian public libraries in the National Strategy for Early Literacy. "Libraries have long been recognized as one of the most important community institutions for adult and child literacy development" (Urban Libraries Council, 2007, p. 7). Public Libraries are providing essential early literacy service and support across Canada and we must play a fundamental role in any national strategy for early literacy.

Newman’s recent report on the future of Ontario public libraries to the Ontario Ministry of Culture “identifies leading examples of innovative practices and services in public libraries in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Nordic Countries, Singapore…practices show that, more and more, national governments are acknowledging the value of public libraries through programs, policies and funding”(Newman, 2008, p.2).

Walk into public libraries across Canada and find library staff interacting with families and providing free equitable access to children’s books. From board books for the very young, picture books that excite, non-fiction that feeds the curious mind to electronic access to digital picture books that utilize technology to nurture literacy skills; public libraries are the cornerstone of early literacy in our communities. It is for this reason that the Canadian Paediatric Society’s recommends that physicians encourage families to visit their public library and register for a library card as an essential step in early literacy skills development (Canadian Paediatric Society, 2006, p.4).

However, the role of Canadian Public libraries is not limited to books alone, they are also providing early literacy programs in the form of storytimes, summer reading programs and innovative partnerships. "Early literacy programming in public libraries contributes to elevating young children's levels of literacy and engagement in learning, thereby contributing to school readiness and school success." (Urban Libraries Council, 2007,p.11). Interactive storytime programs are designed to support parents, caregivers and children by helping family develop the tools to allow their children the best opportunity to master the essential pre-reading skills.

In addition to providing materials and programs, public libraries are also providing interactive early literacy discovery spaces that are free, non-judgmental and open to all. Public Libraries are working with community partners to engage Newcomers to Canada and members or our communities who aren’t familiar with the role of the public library as a free accessible public place to access books, information, literacy support, homework help and technology. “Within the context of family learning and life long learning, the unfettered access for children under 3 years of age to free public libraries is an essential human right and ingredient to enhance development of numeracy and literacy in later life” (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, 2007, p.5).

The National Strategy for Early Literacy must work with the best existing network of resources to make a significant impact in the literacy skills of Canadian children and youth - Canadian Public Libraries.

The challenge for Canadian public libraries in improving literacy outcomes is that public library support for early childhood learning needs coordination and explicit policy attention (Newman, 2008, p.5). Canadian public libraries are largely municipally funded; they are regulated provincially and receive varying amounts of provincial funding and support. They are institutions working daily to meet the unique needs of their local communities, working with community agencies as community hubs for literacy, information, recreation and lifelong learning and working together provincially where possible. “A national focus for library research and initiatives to underpin library innovation has been central to development in the US and the UK. A similar approach in Canada would focus on early learning” (Newman, 2008, p.29).

We asked that a National Strategy for Early Literacy recognizes the role of the public library. We ask that a National Strategy acknowledge what public libraries are already doing. That the Strategy help provide the research, policy and funding support to allow public libraries to make strategic improvements to existing programs and services and be an active participant at the table to contribute our skills, resources and knowledge to a lasting and effective national solution.

If the conclusion of the “NSEL process is to provide a coherent, feasible, evidencebased national strategy for early literacy”, Canadian Public Libraries must play a vital role. Today and every day, public libraries across Canada are serving thousands of Canadian families providing the valuable support and resources they require to meet the literacy and information needs of their families. Come see the innovative programs and strategies we are already offering and imagine how we could do more with coordinated sustained funding and support at a national level.

Submitted by Lita Barrie
President, Canadian Association of Children’s Librarians
Phone: 519-756-2220 ext. 324
E-mail: lbarrie@brantford.library.on.ca

References


Canadian Paediatric Society. Canadian Paediatric Society Position Paper “Read, Speak, Sing: Promoting Literacy in the Physicians Office. (2006)
http://www.cps.ca/ENGLISH/statements/PP/pp06-01.pdf.

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. Guidelines for Library Services to Babies and Toddlers. IFLA Professional Reports, No. 100. (2007)
http://eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/0000019b/80/2d/7b/dc.pdf

Newman, Wendy. Third Generation Public Libraries: Visionary Thinking and
Service Development in Public Libraries (to 2020) and Potential Application in Ontario. Report to the Ontario Ministry of Culture, (2008)
http://www.culture.gov.on.ca/english/library/Newman_study_English.pdf.

Urban Libraries Council. Making Cities Stronger: Public Library Contributions to Local Economic Development, (2007)
http://www.urbanlibraries.org/files/making_cities_stronger.pdf.