Submission by Kathryn Rose, Newfoundland and Labrador Library Association (NLLA)

Rose, Kathryn

Newfoundland and Labrador Library Association (NLLA)

November 2014

Newfoundland and Labrador

English

The submission highlights financial cuts and literacy rates. Unlike most other libraries, financial support for the public library system comes from the provincial government, through a provincial board. This support has been significantly cut back in the past year, as the 2013-14 budget was 1.2 million less than the previous year. There are 9 librarians for the 96 libraries across the province. A number of IT staff also lost their jobs. Literacy and Numeracy rates in NL: According to the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies, Canada sits right on the OECD average for literacy rates. Most of the provinces fall about the average of 273.3 – NB has a score of 268.3, and QUE has 268.6. Newfoundland sits well below, at 265.4, ahead only of Northwest Territories (253.3) and Nunavut (219.1). Numeracy is lower than the literacy rates.

Royal Society of Canada’s Expert Panel on The Status and Future of Canada’s Libraries and Archives