The PEI Provincial Library Service will be helping Islanders keep up with the third edition of CBC’s successful Canada Reads presentation. Through the generosity of the publishers of this year’s selections, additional copies of the books under discussion are now available to Islanders in libraries across the province.
Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Elmer MacFadyen expressed his thanks to the publishers of the volumes and to the CBC. “We are very appreciative of this opportunity and assistance in support of the value of reading. We know from experience that Canada Reads has made an impressive impact on people’s interest in Canadian fiction and this donation will allow the Library Service to better respond to the public interest which the programs generate.”
Canada Reads is a CBC feature with five well-known personalities discussing, debating and promoting their reading choices. One of the five books is voted off the list each day with the final Canada Reads title being the survivor. The feature is being broadcast on several CBC programs during the week of February 16 through 20. A local panel discussion on the books will be held in Confederation Centre Public Library on March 30, 2004.
The additional copies of the books have been added to AbbyCat, the library catalogue, and have been rushed to a number of libraries across the province.
This year’s panel consists of Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy, opera sensation Mesha Brueggergosman, author Zsuzi Gartner, Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray, and journalist Francine Pelletier. The five books chosen include current and recent popular fiction. Detained information on the selections and the program can be found at www.cbc.ca/canadareads.
Publishers who have presented additional copies of their books are McClelland & Stewart, HarperCollins, Douglas & McIntyre, Penguin Canada and Random House.