Many of our readers are familiar with the Fraser-Hickson Library and the challenges they faced in finding a new home. made a proposal to The result is the MiniBiblio Outreach model. Its mission is to “enhance literacy by empowering partners to instill in their children a lifelong love of reading and learning, and enable free access to books and animation services.”
The benefits of increased literacy in Canada are immense. Turn what may at first seem like a “feel good” program into a significant economic initiative with real benefits…A 1% increase in average literacy rate, over time, will increase per capita lead to a 3% increase in GDP and a 5% increase in labor productivity. In Canada, that could mean another $50 billion a year in GDP. (2019 Schwerdt and Wiederhold. Literacy and Growth: New evidence from PIAAC. cwf.ca and DataAngel.ca Coulombe, S. Tremblay, JF and Marchand). If their literary skills improved first, more young people would choose to stay in school, resulting in better employment opportunities. Correspondingly, the cost of welfare and medical services will be reduced.
The first MiniBiblio was established at NDG’s YMCA in 2013, with nine more MiniBiblios established by the end of the year. The following year, Helen Fortin was appointed CEO. The MiniBiblio model proved popular and expanded rapidly.
“Reading to children is not rocket science,
Everything is a personal connection. ”
… CEO Helen Fortin
With 45 locations by 2017, MiniBiblio has transitioned to MiniBiblioPLUS and added an Early Literacy Component (ELC) program. ELC was developed to expand services and make available to partners the knowledge of qualified staff and volunteers. They demonstrate to parents and partners how to hands-on read to children and discuss the importance of literacy development.
2019 report shows 106 programs in 76 locations
Fortin was invited to present MiniBiblioPLUS at the L’Association de bibliothécaires du Québec/Quebec Library Association Conference in May 2018, and again at the Ontario Library Association (OLA) Super Conference, so the project is now nationally recognized. Attracting attention on stage. January 2019. Encouraged by major literacy groups and funded by his INNOWEAVE to hire consultants, a series of pilot his projects is planned for a nationwide launch.
Helen recalls her own motivation for reading books: I went in and asked, “Can I have a book too?” A kind librarian let me take home some children’s books. Her mother encouraged me to keep reading. Confidence in a child is everything, she says, and wants to encourage the same value of reading in our programs. ”
For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.minibiblioplus.org or call 514-872-0517.
