News

The work of MLIS alumna, Zoe Dickinson, was recognized in Canada’s Parliament on November 2nd. As we reported on our blog last month, Zoe worked with Librarianship.ca to compile a publication entitled “Canada’s Favourites: Book Recommendations Coast to Coast” in honour of International Literacy Day/Canadian Library Month. The recommendations come from Canadians from all walks of life, including politicians, journalists, sports stars, authors and librarians. Canadian Library Month and a PEI literacy survey were also highlighted.

Here is the full Senator’s Statement:

Hon. Michael Duffy: Honourable senators, I rise today to congratulate Canada’s librarians on another successful Canadian Library Month. As senators know, we mark International Literacy Day in September and follow up every October with Canadian Library Month.

Literacy is the key to a successful future. As a prosperous nation, we have sadly far too many people who are without the reading skills needed to achieve a successful and happy life.

In my own province of Prince Edward Island, the International Adult Literacy Survey found the reading skills of 30 per cent of P.E.I. adults are so limited that they can’t deal with most printed material. An additional 35 per cent of P.E.I. adults need materials written clearly in plain language.

Colleagues, the literacy problem isn’t confined to P.E.I, not by a long shot. Nationally, 80 per cent of Canadian seniors cannot read well enough to deal with everyday literacy tasks.

I am pleased to report that Canada’s librarians are working hard to promote literacy and the joys of reading. Librarianship.ca asked a cross-section of Canadians in politics, the arts, sports, and librarianship to share books that had impacted their lives, their current reads, and their recommendations for other Canadians.

The result is a compendium called “Introducing Canada’s Favourites: Book Recommendations from Coast to Coast.” It even includes reading recommendations from several honourable senators, and you can find it at www.librarianship.ca.

Congratulations to the project coordinator Zoe Dickinson and Canada’s librarians for their continuing work to promote reading.