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Ontario’s Lt-Gov to continue book drive

This was announced last week, but it’s worth mentioning. From the Toronto Star:

Aiming for quality over quantity, Ontario Lieutenant- Governor David Onley is asking citizens to donate new children’s books to help aboriginal kids and teens living in remote northern communities.

The former television broadcaster, who is continuing the book appeal begun by his predecessor James Bartleman, said new books are the best way to keep children in fly-in First Nations communities as up-to-date as kids in the south.

“Although I know this will mean a reduction in the quantity of books, it is time to refresh the libraries with a smaller number of high quality, current books,” Onley told a news conference yesterday.

“There is just something about getting a new book,” he added, noting more contemporary topics “will resonate with the kids.”

Bartleman’s previous drives netted more than 2 million “gently used” books to establish libraries in the reserves where the cost of living is high and resources are few.