On March 3, 2000, Education Minister Judy Foote announced the allocation of $1 million to the Provincial Information and Library Resources Board for the purchase of books.

This investment will help to increase the variety and inventory in the province�s public libraries.

"It is known that in countries that had high illiteracy rates, the availability of reading materials was a major factor in improving literacy. Government is about to embark on a new literacy strategy and with the recognition that the availability of new books is very important to support this initiative, this investment in our libraries is crucial. There is a direct correlation between the literacy levels of our people and the economic prosperity of our province. Government knows this investment will make a difference," said Minister Foote.

The mandate of the Provincial Information and Library Resources Board is to ensure library materials, information and programs are available to meet the needs of the public. This is achieved through a network of 96 centres divided into three regions and the Provincial Resource Library Division (which includes the St. John's Library System).

"Government recognizes the correlation between the availability of books in a wide variety of subject areas in our public libraries and the libraries� ability to encourage reading. This million-dollar investment will help the PILRB enhance the resources available to patrons of our province�s public libraries. It is my hope that this will not only help ensure better access to

resource materials for students and others doing research, but also help foster, in all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, a renewed interest in the value of reading simply for the pleasure of it," said Minister Foote.

Media contact: Andrea Maunder, Communications, (709) 729-0048.

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