c/o Nova Scotia Provincial Library 2021 Brunswick Street (Second Floor) Halifax, Nova Scotia B3K 2Y5 April 12, 2012 Chignecto-Central Regional School Board 60 Lorne Street Truro, Nova Scotia B2N 3K3 Dear Chair Thompson and members of the Board: Re: Lay-offs of all school library staff I am writing to express concern, both personally and from members of the Nova Scotia Library Association (NSLA) in response to the Chignecto-Central Regional School Board’s (CCRSB) decision to cut all library staff. NSLA represents a wide variety of library staff across the province and it is the Association’s belief that this decision is not in the best interests of the students of the Chignecto-Central family of schools. Studies have shown a positive link between student achievement and the presence of accessible school libraries with qualified staff. Not only do students have the opportunity to learn how to use various resources but they are also encouraged to read for pleasure. Children who read

Find out all the latest news on the 2012 NSLA/LBANS conference NSLA Awards & Bursaries upcoming workshops & seminars – including a spring workshop “Super Searching Skills” (June 11, 18) news from the Regions Want to know more? Just click the link below. NSLA Newsletter – Winter/Spring 2012

“Librarians are experts. They don’t wile away their days re­shelving books and reading Jane Austen. They help students with assignments, support literacy and bring working writers into schools.” The Chronicle Herald’s Lezlie Lowe looks at the role of librarians in the face of the pending layoffs in Chignecto. http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/86470-school-librarians-play-critical-role-in-helping-kids-make-the-grade

NSLA presents … Searching Effectively in an Electronic Environment with Debbie Kaleva (NSCC Pictou Campus Librarian) & Suzanne van den Hoogen (St. FX Emerging Services Librarian) Our information universe is exploding. On average, more than 1 billion new pages are added to the WWW every day. Join Debbie Kaleva & Suzanne van den Hoogen as they share strategies for navigating this world of information overload! Through hands-on and group activities, you’ll learn some tricks for searching electronic databases, as well as the “Beast” – Google. We will talk about copyright, and look at some alternatives for sharing information ethically through the Creative Commons, permalinks, and open education sources. Anticipated Outcomes: Acquire new strategies for searching electronically Acquire criteria for effective evaluation of electronic resources and content Understand copyright and some alternatives for sharing information ethically Improved customer service Pick from one of two session

As many of you may know, on Thursday evening, Industry Canada informed CAP sites across Canada that the CAP program has been cancelled. You can find out more at the newly launched ‘Save CAP’ website – www.savecap.ca The Save CAP website is the place to go for information, press releases, and contact information If CAP is important to you – please let your MP know! Follow the discussion on Twitter: #savecap

South Shore Public Libraries Chief Librarian Troy Myers said today that the Library will stop purchasing ebooks published by Random House Publishing, following a steep price increase introduced by Random House in the past month. South Shore Public Libraries mission is to celebrate reading, discovering, learning and sharing. “One way staff fulfills the mission is by providing readers access to a wide variety of formats, including the newest innovation ? downloadable e-books,” says Myers. “The sharp price increase instituted by Random House will limit the number of ebooks SSPL can purchase for our borrowers’ enjoyment.” South Shore Public Libraries card holders currently have access to currently have access to over 4,000 titles through Nova Scotia Public Libraries Digital Media Downloads site (digitalmedia.library.ns.ca). In the past month, Random House has drastically raised the price of ebooks for sale to Libraries. For example, a copy of Catherine the Great, Portrait of a Woman by Ro

Calling all creative, community and family minded librarians and teachers! Have you developed an innovative community-led, family literacy, or intergenerational program? This event could be happening in your facility, or as an outreach initiative. If a great program comes to mind, we are inviting you to share the idea and submit it to be considered for publication. Programs selected for inclusion will contain several of the following criteria: · Engaged youth · Literacy connection · Involvement by/with the local community · Involvement of support networks (i.e. parents, grandparents, caregivers, teachers, mentors) · Opportunities for cultural or intergenerational exchange · Accessibility for libraries of all sizes, budgets, staffing levels · Innovation or uniqueness Beth Maddigan, Education Librarian for Memorial University of Newfoundland – beth.maddigan@mun.ca – and Susan Bloos, Manager of the Forest Heights Community Library