SASKATCHEWAN NDP DEMANDS BETTER SUPPORT FOR LIBRARIES AS SCOTT MOE FAILS TO FUND, LITERACY AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE PLUMMETS

Moose Jaw Library Sees Harmful Impact of Stagnant Funding Over 15 Years
MOOSE JAW – The Saskatchewan NDP is joining calls for sustainable funding as the head of a Moose Jaw library said a lack of support from Scott Moe and the Sask. Party is forcing them to cut back.

The continued hits to libraries come as Saskatchewan students rank below the national average on literacy rates.

In 2017, the Sask. Party attempted to gut funding for libraries but was forced to change course after province-wide backlash.

“These guys have tried this before — they don’t see the value in libraries, in teaching our young people — our future — literacy, how to be critical thinkers and about their place in this world,” said Joan Pratchler, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for Early Learning. “It’s despicable because these libraries are part of the community, and they’re critical to Saskatchewan’s future.

“Who doesn’t have a story about how much a library meant to them growing up or how a librarian inspired them to learn and read?”

On Tuesday, Arwen Rudolph, director of Palliser Regional Library, told CBC funding from the province hasn’t increased in 15 years — as a result, her library has been forced to cut back on essential services promoting learning. She noted that inflation has skyrocketed over the same period.

“We should be investing in our future, not cutting,” Pratchler said. “Young people in Saskatchewan deserve every opportunity to succeed — Scott Moe and his Ministers don’t get to rob them of that. It’s time for change.”

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