The Haida Gwaii Learning Circle Society has received $17,500 from the federal and provincial governments to pay for literacy projects on the islands over the next year.
The money will pay for staff and projects to promote literacy. Funding from other agencies like Northwest Community College also helps support literacy on the islands.
The society now has a new coordinator, Elizabeth Bulbrook. Ms Bulbrook replaces Gale Anson, who left earlier this year.
Ms Bulbrook recently attended a conference in Hazelton, and returned inspired with ideas for promoting literacy on the islands. Helping young mothers value books is key to developing childrenÃs literacy, she said, so she hopes to work with young women this year. And she wants to develop a book exchange so people can share the books they have and expand their reading horizons. She plans to continue with the reading tent, a popular feature at community events.
The Learning Circle Society will hold its annual general meeting on Oct. 30, place and time to be announced closer to that date. Anyone with ideas or suggestions for literacy promotion can attend the meeting or call at 559-7707. Volunteers are always welcome.