NB 981
July 26, 2006
DIEPPE (CNB) - An investment of over $770,000 is being made by the Government of New Brunswick to establish 25 new positions in various public libraries throughout the province's five public library regions. Post-Secondary Education and Training Minister Jody Carr made the announcement today.
"With the creation of these new positions library services are being improved," Carr said. "Public libraries provide the fundamental learning environment that will move this province closer to becoming the smart province."
The addition of these new positions is part of the implementation of Objective VI of the Policy Statement on Adult and Lifelong Learning, which was launched in December 2005 as the third component of the Quality Learning Agenda. Objective VI is entirely focused on improving access to public library services in order to support lifelong learning. The new positions are also part of the development of a provincial framework for public library open hours and staffing standards to ensure equitable service delivery and to address community needs.
"I am particularly pleased to see the much-needed addition of six new professional librarian positions in the public library system's two northern regions, the Chaleur and Haut-Saint-Jean regions," Carr said. "The two resource centres of these regions - the Campbellton Centennial Library and the Mgr. W.J. Conway Public Library in Edmundston - will each see the addition of one children's librarian, one adult and young-adult services librarian, and one head of reference services to address equity between regions.
A specialized adult and young-adult services librarian position will also be added to the Saint John Free Public Library.
"These positions will help address the needs and delivery of children's, young adult, adult and reference services. Not only is increased accessibility to public libraries being provided, a society based on the fundamental elements of lifelong learning is being nurtured."
A number of positions will be established in the following libraries:
In addition,three part-time positions - one each in Hillsborough, Saint-Antoine and Shippagan - will become full-time. These positions will help the affected libraries meet growing public demand for service.
Once the provincial framework for library open hours and staffing standards is fully developed and approved, the department will implement these standards to ensure equitable service delivery in all regions of the province. This will result in additional positions which will allow the implementation of standard open hours throughout the province in coming years.
"As investment continues in the public library system, the framework to have the highest increase of workers with a post-secondary education in Canada within five years is being built," Carr said. "I believe that a strong and healthy public library system is vital to meeting this goal."
06/07/26
MEDIA CONTACT: Tyler Campbell, communications, Post-Secondary Education and Training, 506-453-2568.
06/07/26