Developing Remote Canadian Libraries

This week I decided to focus on developing libraries within our own Indigenous communities in Canada instead of around the world. In Canada we have many Indigenous communities that are isolated by their location. Where I live I have easy access to many bookstores, free shipping from Amazon and easy Scholastic book orders. After researching into some isolated Indigenous communities, I realize how I take these services for granted. Many school libraries in these communities have sparse bookshelves that have outdated and used books. I found a non-profit Canadian organization called Books With No Bounds that does amazing work to support remote libraries. Started by two teenagers in Ontario, their continued work has stocked libraries shelves in Canada and around the world. These girls have stocked the shelves of different libraries, most recently at the Ma Tah Ha Mao School in the Peawanuck First Nation in Northern Ontario. You can check out their Facebook or Twitter page for up to date information on their endeavours. 

When libraries have books, they can become a community hub. This can be seen at Helen Kalvak Elihakvik in Northwest Territories. Here the library is open 5 days a week and two nights a week to both students and the community. Having the library be a place for community building helps bring learning and books to an important place of prominence. ( http://helenkalvakelihakvik.com/services/) 

Many of these remote communities rely on online classrooms, especially for high school students. Technology plays a large part of their schooling so it is important that they have access to computers and internet. Students in Ontario have the opportunity to attend Keewaytinook Internet High School, which provides course for students in grade 9-12. (http://kihs.knet.ca/) As a result the use of mobile devices will be essential for the success of these students.  

In my K-5 school mobile devices are not a prominent fixture in my students hands. We have a school set of laptops and IPads that is shared, but they are often used by other classes and not as available for library use. However, we have a well stocked library, so I can see how developing libraries having access to technology and the internet is imperative. Being able to have access to apps, like Epic, for free access to thousands of books would be incredibly beneficial. Overall, books and technology are so important for kids and adults to help them be educated and literate members of our communities. I hope to help our Indigenous communities and support them through initiatives in our school.  

Bibliography

1. Facebook.com. (2019). Books with no Bounds. [online] Available at: https://www.facebook.com/bookswithnobounds/ [Accessed 23 Feb. 2019].

2. Helen Kalvak Elihakvik. (2019). Services - Helen Kalvak Elihakvik. [online] Available at: http://helenkalvakelihakvik.com/services/ [Accessed 23 Feb. 2019].

3. Kihs.knet.ca. (2019). Keewaytinook Internet High School | STAY AT HOME BUT STAY IN SCHOOL!. [online] Available at: http://kihs.knet.ca/ [Accessed 23 Feb. 2019].