POLICE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA 55 PAGE TURNER Kentville first in Valley to join library literacy program The public library and the police service in the Town of Kentville have become partners in the Adopt-a-Library Literacy Program. It is the first municipal unit in the Valley to take part. For Kentville librarian Julie Johnson it’s a match made in heaven. “This partnership between the library and the police will directly benefit children by providing them with more reading materials. This is a great initiative from which everyone can benefit,” says Johnson. Ensuring that local libraries have plenty of good books for youth - and encouraging kids to visit the library to use them - is the premise of the program. Constable Angie Gibson, who heads the Kentville Police Service’s part in the project, says Pictou-Antigonish RCMP Constable John Kennedy visited in August to help get things going. Troubled by a shortage of books in the local library, Kennedy founded the program in the mid-1990s in northern New Brunswick. He believed in the connection between youth illiteracy and crime, and introduced the slogan, “fighting crime one book at at time.” After being transferred to Pictou-Antigonish, he continued to promote the idea to libraries and police agencies. To date, about 60 police and library partnerships have been formed, most in Nova Scotia. Gibson says the Kentville Police Service is a proud participant. She points to statistics that show 65 per cent of those jailed for the first time have difficulty with reading and writing. Stats also indicate that 48 per cent of all Canadians fall into the two lowest levels of literacy. “If you can get kids more interested in reading, get them out of the house and away from situations where they are bored, maybe it will prevent them from getting involved in what some kids do when they get bored. The program helps to expand their abilities and opportunities through reading,” says Gibson. The Kentville project is in development and the two have their fingers crossed for corporate sponsorship. “We’re looking for company support and businesses in the area that are willing to give prizes and money to the cause,” says Johnson. Cash donations are used to purchase new books of interest for babies up to teens. Businesses can also contribute prizes in the form of toys, gift certificates, movie and restaurant vouchers, and other incentives that can be used to reward young readers. Scholastic Canada Ltd. and Brodart Canada have already guaranteed a reduced rate for book purchases. “We have no sponsors now, but we’ve made contact with Wal-Mart. Our request has gone to the regional manager.” Wal-Mart in Kennedy’s locale pays for the purchase of all of the books for the program in that area. Johnson says Nova Scotia’s public libraries, which are funded under the department of education, need all the help they can get. “There’s always a need for more and newer material. You can never have enough of everything. Kids are looking for information on so many things.” Johnson will use donated funds to personally select new reading materials based on her experience in the field. “With this program she can order whatever she wants. She has free reign,” says Gibson. “We have a need for newer releases on topics relevant to today. I can’t tell you how many requests for bullying we’ve had,” says Johnson. Wendy Trimper, head of branch services for the Annapolis Valley Regional Library, hopes to see the concept adopted by other municipalities and towns throughout the region. “Anytime a community group chooses to become involved in an initiative like this it benefits our patrons and helps us supplement our book collection.” She sees the reading incentive as a bonus. “Children sometimes compete with one another to increase their level of reading.” Books, however, are only part of the picture. “There’s a social aspect to visiting the library. Kids can learn respect for what the library is and for others who use it,” says Johnson. She sees the joy that comes from reading in action on a routine basis. “You get a real sense of satisfaction from watching kids come in and develop their reading skills and expanding their interests in different things.” Those interested in supporting the program may contact Angie Gibson at 679-5962 or Julie Johnson at 679-2544. Julie Johnson (right) and Cst. Angie Gibson (left) By Patty Mintz - (Oct. 21, 2003)
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