Fall '97 Newsletter |
Table
of Contents |
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The Education Resource Centre: Nourishing a literate education community |
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| by Anne Hunt | |
| Since 1973 the Education Resource Centre has
nourished a literate education community. Students, faculty, teachers and parents have
benefited from this extensive collection of materials for and about children and learning. The October 10 issue of The Brunswickan, the campus newspaper, contained a front page article announcing that the UNB Campus Budget Committee has recommended the closure of the Education Resource Centre in Marshall d'Avray Hall. Currently there are four libraries operating on campus: Science and Forestry; Engineering; Harriet Irving; and Education. Amalgamating would save money in the long run. However, initially the closure would cost money. It is proposed that the collection would be incorporated into the already crowded Harriet Irving Library. This means that both the education collection, and the books currently housed in the HIL would be culled and portions of them put into storage. Since there is no storage space available one needs to be created somewhere, hence the initial cost. Once that storage space is built ongoing savings are projected because of the reduction in the number of staff positions. Needless to say, this would be a great loss to many people, not just education faculty and preservice teachers. Many inservice teachers visit the library regularly and benefit from the expertise of the staff. One particular section of the library that teachers list as beneficial is the audio/visual lending library where they may borrow math and science equipment as well as classroom support materials for other areas of the curriculum. The question of whether there would be space in the HIL for this valuable resource is a good one. Parents frequent the library too. It provides a wealth of information, both historical and current about our educational system. Home schoolers, parents who educate their children at home, use the library for educational resources. There is a large circulating collection of children’s books. Parents also make use of the audio/visual materials. ERC is home to one of Canada’s most extensive collections of children’s literature. This non circulating collection contains over 10,000 books, accessible to students, researchers and the general public. The collection also includes microform reproductions of rare children’s books and facsimiles of other rare books. All 30 of Mary Grannan’s published books (CBC’s “Just Mary”) were donated to the collection. Accessibility of these materials and books is in question. How many of these valuable resources will end up in storage? More importantly, who of the current staff at the HIL, will be knowledgeable enough about the collection to be able to assist those who come to use it? The Budget Committee's recommendation to close the ERC is “on hold” for the present until suitable storage space is available. This means that there is still time to launch a campaign against this move and to encourage alternative solutions. Please make your views known by writing to the President of UNB with copies to John Tesky, Director of Libraries, University of New Brunswick, Bag Service Number 45333, Fredericton, N.B., Canada E3B 6E3. Return to Table of Contents |
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| by Georgina Ferguson | |
| As
a parent of two young children, I was delighted when I discovered
the resource library at Marshall d’Avray Hall. I was especially
pleased to find I could purchase an extramural borrowers card and
have access to these resources, even though I’m not a student
at U.N.B. That was three years ago and in that time I have borrowed
numerous books and teaching aids to bring home to my children. Together
we have enjoyed children’s fiction, nonfiction, tapes board games,
Montessori materials, math manipulatives, children’s poetry books,
french language courses, art courses and videos. The library also
has books on child development that all parents can benefit from reading.
Having access to these resources greatly enriches my children’s
environment on a daily basis. I have always found that any topic I’m
interested in pursuing with my children, the staff at Marshall d’Avray
know exactly what resources they have in that area and help me to
gather the appropriate materials. Needless to say I am very discouraged to hear of the changes being considered to move the library. I would hope that any changes U.N.B. are planning will be to make these resources more accessible to Fredericton as a community, not less. As extramural borrowers we actually generate revenue for U.N.B. Making children’s literature accessible to a community increases the level of literacy in that community, and as an institute promoting higher learning I would think this should be as an important consideration in the decision making. Return to Table of Contents |
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What Teachers Have to Say About the Education Resource Centre |
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| Many
teachers employed by the province of New Brunswick study on a part-time
basis at the University of New Brunswick. Here is what some of those
teachers have to say about the Education Resource Centre. Heather Machum from Brown's Flat: "The library I use at Fredericton Campus is the ERL. I used the Harriet Irving Library ONCE, two years ago, I got lost in there. I find the ERL is small enough that I can find my way in and out, the sections and the staff. They have always been friendly and approachable." Suzette Bruhier-White from Rothesay: "The dismantling of this facility would indeed be a very grave error. From January to April 1997, I took a children's literature course, and had it not been for the Educational Resource Centre Library, I would not have been able to do my research on the topics covered. School and public libraries are sadly lacking in information on the history of children's literature. Stories and story books without historical references are of little value to the researcher." Linda Berry from Riverview: "I have been working on my education degree part-time as a distance education student and have depended on the Educational Resource Centre Library to complete many of my assignments. The resources and staff in this facility are exceptional in comparison to other similar facilities in our province. Sadly, as with many other decisions to downsize, money seems to be the main focus. The value of this resource to students is inestimable." Return to Table of Contents |
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Newsletter Information |
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| Early
Childhood Centre News is published by the
Early Childhood Centre, We welcome your submissions. Please sign your letters and include your mailing address and telephone number. Editors: Anne Hunt, Pam Nason and Pam Whitty |
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