Prince Edward Island’s Public Library Service has partnered with the PEI Literacy Alliance and local food banks to deliver children’s books to children in need, says Education, Early Learning and Culture Minister Hal Perry.
“The book drive has been a success so far, and I encourage Islanders to continue to drop off new or gently used children’s books at their local library branch,” said Minister Perry. “While they’re at the library, I hope they will take some time to check out the wide variety of services it offers.”
Each Christmas, the Literacy Alliance donates children’s books for the food hampers that the Upper Room Food Bank provides to families. This year, all Public Library Service branches are collecting new or gently-used children’s books to supplement the Literacy Alliance’s supply of children’s materials.
The donated children’s books will go in hampers distributed by food banks, or will be used as part of the PEI Literacy Alliance initiatives. The Public Library Service will collect the books at local library branches, while the PEI Literacy Alliance and food banks across the province will get these books to Island children in time for Christmas.
“Research has shown that having books in the home increases literacy skills in children, which can help them fulfil their potential as they grow,” said Workforce and Advanced Learning Minister Richard Brown. “Children borrow books from our libraries every day, but there is nothing quite like receiving a new book. This is your opportunity to give the joy of reading to children over the holidays.”
Donations are accepted until Saturday, December 19, 2015.
For more information on the children’s book drive, and on the PEI Literacy Alliance’s programs and services, visit http://www.pei.literacy.ca/
To locate your nearest library branch and to learn more about the services they offer to Islanders, visit http://library.pe.ca/