BURNABY – The British Columbia Library Association (BCLA) is pleased and proud to announce a new partnership with CUPE BC.
CUPE BC is generously contributing $50,000 to ensure that BC Summer Reading Club continues to award medals to children across the province who participate in this successful, inclusive and much-loved program.
In 2018 over 85,000 children registered in BC SRC and over 163,000 children participated in programs, community events, First Nations events, literacy groups and in-house library programs under the BC SRC banner. In 2018 BC public library staff made over 5100 visits to schools to introduce and promote BC SRC and to continue to build positive relationships between schools and public libraries. Work by library staff across the province ensures that BC SRC responds to the unique needs of diverse communities. This “ground-level” approach makes BC SRC a responsive, community-driven and library designed program.
“BCLA is thrilled to partner with CUPE BC to support the BC Summer Reading Club. CUPE BC is a natural partner for this much-valued program as their members work in public libraries throughout the province and are part of the communities that libraries serve,” said Shirley Lew, BCLA President. “Through this relationship, BC Summer Reading Club can only thrive and reach more young readers, families, and communities in BC.
“We are very proud of the strong relationship that CUPE BC and the BCLA have developed, and this latest partnership makes it even stronger,” said CUPE BC President Paul Faoro. “We’re big supporters of the Summer Reading Club because it encourages and fosters learning and a lifelong love of reading. Public libraries have always been important hubs for our communities, and provide important services to all visitors. We’re very pleased to support this important initiative.”
With this contribution CUPE BC ensures that children and families across the province will continue to see a high level of programming and participation including the exciting awards ceremonies that many BC public libraries mount at the end of the summer. CUPE BC’s contribution allows BCLA to continue this quality program at the high standards that libraries across the province expect.
CUPE BC represents over 97,000 people in more than 160 locals, including 29 public libraries in the province. BCLA represents 900 individual and organizational members working to serve our communities and advance libraries together. Our shared commitment to libraries ensures that this partnership strengthens both CUPE BC and BCLA as well as strengthening our members and the communities we serve.
BCLA would like to thank RBC for past support of BC SRC, and to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Education.
