Advocacy

May 27, 2013, 1:22 pm

Links to the APLA endorsed joint statement: Joint Statement on Qualities of a Successful Librarian and Archivist of Canada Déclaration commune relativement au profil que devrait posséder le prochain bibliothécaire et archiviste du Canada

May 6, 2013, 12:05 pm

Honourable Jody Carr Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development Place 2000 P.O. Box 6000 Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1   May 1, 2013

Open letter regarding the plight of school libraries in New Brunswick

Dear Minister: I am writing on behalf of the Atlantic Provinces Library Association (APLA) in support of recent actions taken by CUPE Local 2745 to draw attention to the plight of school libraries in New Brunswick.  The union claims that school library funding is routinely being diverted to other uses, that some school libraries are being converted to student lounges, and that the number of library professionals employed within the system falls far below the government’s own formula.  In the circumstances, we wish to ask the Government to more closely consider the importance of school libraries. Research clearly shows a direct correlation between properly funded and staffed school libraries and student achievement:

• larger collections of library materials for students mean higher achievement;
• higher spending on books and other materials correlates with improved reading scores;
• library staffing levels correlate with test scores (U.S. studies have consistently shown a 10-25% increase in scores on standardized tests for students with a school librarian);
• increased student visits to the library correlate with higher test scores;
• hours of operation of the school library also have a positive effect (the more open hours, the higher the test scores).

Lack of adequate library support in schools has a predictably negative effect on educational benchmarks. Students without access to a well-stocked and staffed school library will not do as well as their peers in schools where support for libraries is strong.  Children with poor literacy skills are likely to become adults with poor literacy skills, and the human toll and social costs of weak adult literacy are well-known, in New Brunswick as elsewhere.  Any short-term savings realized by reduced spending on school libraries will be more than offset by the future costs arising from underemployment and poverty and their attendant problems, including rising crime rates, poorer health, and greater reliance on social welfare programs. Children born to these circumstances will often have lower levels of education, beginning a cycle that is difficult to break. We understand that these are difficult times and that the Government is working hard to balance the budget.  School districts are struggling to deliver quality education with reduced financial resources.  That said, school libraries are not the place to cut.  School libraries are partners in the educational process, playing an integral role in a resource-based curriculum. School library professionals provide students with environments and learning opportunities that allow them to develop the literacy, critical thinking, and information literacy skills necessary for full participation in a knowledge- based economy.  Access to quality collections of books encourages a love of exploration and learning through reading.     APLA urges your department to make a renewed and long-term commitment to school libraries by providing the funding necessary to support them, to the benefit of students and society as a whole. Yours sincerely, Lou Duggan President The Atlantic Provinces Library Association counts close to 400 personal and institutional members drawn from public, academic, school, and special libraries scattered throughout the region. 

April 4, 2013, 2:39 pm

Letter to Clyde Jackman re. $1.2 Million cut to the Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries

April 4, 2013 Dear Mr. Jackman:      The Atlantic Provinces Library Association (APLA) represents approximately 400 personal and institutional members drawn from public, academic, school, and special libraries throughout the Atlantic region.  Our mandate to serve the interests of all who work in the Atlantic region's libraries, as well as those who are interested in library and information services in the Atlantic Provinces compels me to write to you today on behalf of the 110,000 registered library users who reside in your jurisdiction. APLA’s members are extremely concerned about the recent budget reductions that have caused a severe loss of staff positions, the result of which will be a significant decline in library services for these engaged citizens of Newfoundland and Labrador.         Library services are an essential ingredient of safe, prosperous and healthy communities. We appreciate the financial pressures that governments are currently facing, and sympathize with the need to make difficult decisions. However, it is during the tough economic times that library services are needed more than ever. It is well established that a rise in literacy rate has a direct and positive effect on physical and mental health and in lowering crime. Most of all we want to offer our youth a successful and affluent future. Literacy is undeniably an essential component to economic prosperity for individuals. The government of Newfoundland and Labrador has relied upon the Public Library to promote literacy in the province. The early literacy programming which will be piloted in select public libraries this year is a current and important example. Sustained access to the collections and services of the public library will be necessary to ensure the long term goals of the program are met. Given these goals and the very positive impact that libraries will have in helping to achieve them, the reduction of Library budgets, staff positions, hours and services is ill-timed.      The Newfoundland and Labrador Public Library annual report reminds us that nearly 1.6 million items are borrowed from your public libraries annually. These collections and services are important and well utilized by your residents. We hope that you will reconsider the budget decisions that have led to this point, and reestablish Newfoundland and Labrador’s investment in libraries. If you wish to discuss the current and potential value of libraries to your citizens please contact my colleagues in the Newfoundland and Labrador Library Association and me. We would be happy to have representatives meet with you at any time.   Thank you for your time, Lou Duggan President, Atlantic Provinces Library Association

April 2, 2013, 9:43 am

Open Letter regarding Library and Archives Canada Code of Conduct

Dear Dr. Caron: The Atlantic Provinces Library Association (APLA) represents approximately 400 personal and institutional members drawn from public, academic, school, and special libraries throughout the region.  Our members are extremely concerned about the newly created Library and Archives Canada Code of Conduct, the impacts of which have been discussed at length by our membership.    In fellowship with the Canadian Library Association and the member institutions of The Partnership of Provincial and Territorial Library Associations of Canada, we strongly urge you to reconsider this policy which severely limits the freedom of expression and professional development opportunities of the staff of our National Library. This Code of Conduct undermines the ability of Librarians and information professionals to continue in their important efforts to extend and promote library services to Canadians by limiting or eliminating their possibilities for teaching and public speaking. Libraries across this country are respected and valued institutions that help to create safer, healthier and more affluent communities for Canadians to enjoy. We believe Library and Archives Canada should be leading the way in library promotion by encouraging professional development and public interaction by its employees, rather than hindering those activities. We strongly urge you to reconsider this Code, for the sake of our profession and the for the sake of the important services that our libraries offer to the citizens of Canada. Sincerely, Lou Duggan President

November 14, 2012, 2:49 pm

The following letter of support has been mailed to Mr. John Rafferty, President and Chief Executive Officer, CNIB: Dear Mr. Rafferty, As the President of the Atlantic Provinces Library Association (APLA), I would like to express our members’ support of your efforts to secure sustainable public funding for the conceptual plan outlined in “Reading RE-Imagined: A National Digital HUB to support service delivery to Canadians with print disabilities.”   According to the Initiative for Equitable Library Access of Library and Archives Canada, an estimated 10% of Canadians live with a print disability (http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/iela/index-e.html). This represents an estimated 24,000 citizens of Atlantic Canada. Members of APLA strive daily in their libraries to provide equitable service to the print disabled populations of our communities, but our collections and staff expertise are often limited. APLA members require the support of a national strategy to address these service gaps.  There are moral, legal, and economic reasons to make such access a priority. We believe that it is unacceptable that print disabled Atlantic Canadians must rely on a charity while their sighted peers use publicly funded libraries.   The plan outlined in Reading Reimagined is built on many years of effort by the Canadian library community and consumer stakeholders as well as an extensive consultation process.  It draws on models in other G8 countries with successful centralized, publicly funded HUBs for provision of alternative format materials and library services.  It envisions a public-private not-for-profit organization that •    will give  more access to more content, more consistently, to print disabled Canadians; •    will  prevent duplication of costs by multiple jurisdictions; •    will support Public Libraries and other service points with training and outreach.   •    will see  production costs decrease as technology advances. It is time to stop talking about a national Hub to make access to information a reality for all, and to start creating it.  This conceptual model moves us in the right direction, and deserves government support. Sincerely, Lou Duggan President

July 14, 2012, 11:08 am

You may have heard that the Supreme Court issued its decisions on several copyright cases today and in particular, its decisions on the Alberta v. Access Copyright (K-12 case) and SOCAN v. Bell (song previews) are a big win for fair dealing.  Similar to the CCH case, the Court stated that fair dealing is a user's right and must be interpreted in a broad and liberal manner.

In the K-12 case, the judge stated that photocopies provided by teachers are essentially for students' research or private study which are fair dealing purposes and it doesn't matter if the copies are requested by students or not.  It should be noted that the K-12 case is being referred back to the Copyright Board for further review.

Michael Geist has a great article on it - http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/6588/125/

The Court's decision on the K-12 case is here - http://scc.lexum.org/en/2012/2012scc37/2012scc37.html

Never a dull moment with copyright!

Sam Cheng
Copyright Officer
Nova Scotia Community College
Institute of Technology Campus
5685 Leeds St., PO Box 1153
Halifax, NS B3J 2X1
Tel: 902-491-7477
Cel: 902-719-6049

July 13, 2012, 7:57 am

Beginning July 1st, 2012 New Brunswick Community College, Saint John Campus will be without a librarian. Duties for managing the library are being assigned to administrative staff of the institution. The APLA Executive wrote the following letter to the president of NBCC and several politicians and other administrative staff. Letter to NBCC, July 2012

April 23, 2012, 9:57 am

APLA has written an open letter regarding the agreement reached between Access Copyright and the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada on a model license to govern copying (and the attendant royalty payments) in post-secondary institutions.  The letter speaks for itself.  APLA needs your help to get this letter out to the intended audience in good time.  Please distribute within your individual institutions as you see fit. Thank you for your cooperation, and thank you to Sam Cheng, Copyright Officer at NSCC, for her help in drafting the text.

April 20, 2012, 12:30 pm

I am writing on behalf of the Atlantic Provinces Library Association (APLA) to decry the decision of Industry Canada to end the Community Access Program (CAP), a decision which we deem contrary to your department’s mission “to foster a growing, competitive, knowledge-based Canadian economy.” Many CAP sites are located in libraries, and our members see first-hand the positive impact the service provides in communities throughout our region. Read more of this letter

April 17, 2012, 12:13 pm

"Bill C-321, MP Merv Tweed’s private members bill in support of the Library Book Rate, is scheduled for second reading in the House on 23 April. MPs will be in their ridings from 9-20 April, so this is a great opportunity for you to make contact and ensure your MP’s commitment to this bill. The CLA Library Book Rate Member Toolkit provides you with all the information you need to hold a meeting or send a letter to your Member of Parliament. Contact your MP and show your support for the Library Book Rate!" (CLA Digest, April 5, 2012).  VP/President Elect Lou Duggan kindly prepared this letter to Mr. Tweed for my signature, as well as this template letter for your use in contacting your MPs. Mr. Tweed has been consistently supportive of the library community and very active in pursuing the Library Book Rate issue on our behalf.  It behooves us to support his efforts. Jocelyne Thompson, President, Atlantic Provinces Library Association