Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, during the last session of the Assembly, there were many questions about the changes to public library services. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment has circulated a paper which includes a number of proposals for restructuring library services. The key elements are community ownership of 19 existing libraries, re-allocation of the budget to all 59 communities based on population, expansion of book depository and rotation service, integration of school and public libraries, and a focus on electronic access.
Mr. Speaker, this is an issue that most people will not notice until changes are made and the service levels dropped. However, the paper is causing concern among the front line people involved with community public libraries. The paper puts at risk the existing libraries which have evolved to meet the needs of their patrons. The proposed funding distribution, while administratively easy, does not recognize the value of the existing services. It makes the assumption that people use libraries primarily as a source of information or non-fiction and, therefore, there is an increased emphasis on electronic media. In reality, there is a far greater demand for fiction among all library users.
There is also an assumption of literacy levels required to access electronic media. Making effective use of the Internet requires a relatively strong level of literacy and a good understanding of English. In proposing the integration of public and school libraries, there is no recognition of the different situations in various communities. While this may be the answer for some, it leaves no answers for other options to be considered, which may work better in other places. Before this type of decision is made, many things need to be looked at.
Public and school library users have very different needs. Many school libraries do not have staff yet and there needs to be some control over public library material. Adults may not feel comfortable looking for adult literacy material in a public school and opening public schools could present security challenges. Mr. Speaker, I believe there are many questions which need to be asked about proposed library restructuring and there are other options which should be considered. Later today, I will be asking the Minister some questions about this restructuring. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause