The Department of Education and the district school boards have combined forces to bolster school library collections of printed nonfiction and reference materials. Through the collaborative effort, $100,000 dollars is being allocated for the purchase of learning resources, which will be accessible to all learners in the school community.
Based on a recommendation from the report "Reflection and Renewal in PEI School Libraries", the purpose of this new initiative is to maintain acquisition funding to be used for centralized school library collections. By enhancing the buying power of the school boards, it is believed that the increased availability of nonfiction print and reference materials in the schools will complement instructional approaches used by educators.
Under the joint agreement, the provincial government and each public school will contribute approximately four dollars per student, to schools with an exisiting centralized library collection. This money will be allocated to the school boards, and in turn schools will determine the amount of money they are able to commit to the funding arrangement. Using these financial sources, the purchase of all learning materials must be done through the PEI Provincial Library system, as a means of complying with the school boards' fiscal year.
"This monetary injection will greatly improve the nonfiction and reference resources in our libraries," says Helen McQuaid, Department head for teacher librarians in the Western School Board. "New money presents us with the opportunity to revitalize our current holdings and introduce educators and students to more relevant, and up-to-date nonfiction literature. This joint agreement is a real bonus for all concerned!"
Teacher-librarians and consultants across the province have compiled a list of recommended reading, from which all school library selections must be made. Collections will be maintained within a frame of reference which aims to increase curriculum support.
"Supporting teachers and students with adequate and appropriate nonfiction print and reference resource materials is a top priority for the Department of Education and the district school boards," says Elaine Noonan, Deputy Minister. "We recognize that school libraries play an important role in the development of information literacy, and through this new collaboration it is our hope that the effectiveness of resource-based learning will be vastly increased. Directing new money to school library collections will see many more students benefit in the long run, as they develop the necessary skills required for participation in the knowledge economy."
Orders for resources, utilizing funding provided by the provincial government are being taken until the end of this month, while materials purchased with school funds will be accepted at Provincial Library headquarters until June 30th.