Role of Public Library in Early Childhood Development

WHEREAS research consistently demonstrates the crucial importance of pre-school learning and literacy in ensuring an individuals subsequent success in school and later life; AND WHEREAS BC public libraries are in every BC community, run thousands of childrens and early literacy programs and are the only social institutions mandated to foster literacy skills in pre-school children and to support and empower their parents in creating a learning environment; AND WHEREAS the provincial government in its most recent Speech from the Throne stated its commitment to ensure that all children have every opportunity to experience the excitement of learning and be the best that they can be; AND WHEREAS the provincial government is creating a strategic plan to direct its future involvement with public libraries: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities strongly encourage the provincial government to recognize the indispensable role that BC public libraries play in fostering early childhood education; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Provinces strategic plans for both early childhood development and public libraries recognize the important role public libraries play by enhancing and funding support for BC public libraries in early childhood education endeavours; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the provincial government ensure that BC public libraries are represented on all provincial advisory committees on literacy and early childhood development.