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Inmates help to build libraries

NANAIMO – Nanaimo Correctional Centre partnering with literacy improvement program known as Write to Read.

Inmates at the Nanaimo Correctional Centre have been busy sawing away and building everything from desks, to tables, bookshelves and chairs.

They are part of a project that the correctional centre has recently partnered with called Write to Read, a program that provides library learning centers and supplies to First Nations communities throughout the province in an effort to increase aboriginal literacy rates.

Write to Read was co-founded in 2007 by project co-ordinator Robert Blacker and former lieutenant governor Steven Point. The project relies on donations by local businesses, members of the public and community organizations such as B.C. Rotary clubs. Since formation, the Write to Read has opened 12 libraries in First Nations communities within the province.

“All of our libraries when we first started off were just books,” Blacker said. “But now we supply a full-stocked First Nations author section of over 200 books that we go out and purchase and it is getting bigger and bigger as the years go by.”

Each library contains books that are appropriate for the community, according to Blacker, who said the program is all about helping people improve their literacy skills.

“We are not going to put books in there that they can’t read,” Blacker said. “We put books in there that are going to help them learn to read and we have the appropriate books to help them with that.”

In recent months, Write to Read has been in communications with Snuneymuxw First Nation and according to Blacker, a modular library will be constructed on one of the reserves.

“We have an architect and an engineer who give us their time and so we sat down and looked at designing a building for the Snuneymuxw and we are in the midst of doing that right now,” Blacker said. “Once we get all of our ducks in a row, they are going to get a magnificent building for a library learning centre.”

Blacker said the modular library learning centre will be roughly 18 metres by 6.7 metres in size and will be two levels. As with all libraries constructed through the Write to Read program, the Snuneymuxw building will be complete with Wi-Fi, computers, books and tablets, as well as furniture constructed by inmates at the Nanaimo Correctional Centre.

“The beauty of what we have been doing with our First Nations communities is we go in and we sit down with them …. and we find out what their bucket list is so to speak and what they would like to see in their library and what type of books they would like to see and we go out and get them,” Blacker said. “That’s why we have been so successful.”

Blacker said the first stages of the design are done. He is hoping the library will be completed within the next 12 to 18 months.

“If we keep moving at the rate that we are going, I am hoping that we can something on the ground by mid-2017,” Blacker said.