Fighting crime with a book

A unique partnership between South Shore Regional Library, Queens RCMP, the RCMP as a whole, and three Queens County and four Lunenburg County schools in addition to hundreds of schools around the world promises to increase student literacy levels and boost school library and class book collections.

Greenfield Elementary, Mill Village Consolidated and Dr. John C. Wickwire Academy schools are now participating in the RCMP’s The Adopt a Library Literacy Program and WOW Reading Challenge.

On Nov. 13, when the program launched, representatives from Queens RCMP, Thomas H. Raddall Library and South Shore Library as a whole in addition to program founder and Coordinator, Const. John Kennedy spoke to obviously enthusiastic students at the schools.

He said 65 per cent of prison inmates have difficulty reading. In otherwords, he said without strong reading skills, “there’s a chance you’ll end up going to jail.”

He explained the correlation is due to the simple fact one needs to be prepared for life to enjoy it and get a good job. “I’m not saying all become criminals. All I’m saying is you have better choices in life.”

Students have received reading log books and a registration form that includes a section for students without library cards. Students get a ballot for every 10 books they read and are eligible for prizes.

In addition, at the end of the school year the school that reads the most materials on a per capita basis wins $3,000 worth of books. Second prize is $2,000 and third is $1,000 worth of books. This competition is global.

Last year’s winning school only had 71 students.

Const. Kennedy said the program has now expanded to the United States, England, Ireland, Nova Scotia and across the country since its inception nearly a decade ago in northern New Brunswick.

He waved the “Stanley Cup of Reading” – a trophy - as the students cheered. “You guys are one of those schools so I want to congratulate you for taking up the challenge.”

He listed some of the various partners involved, including Hockey News Magazine and the Halifax Mooseheads. “It doesn’t matter what you read as long as you read.”

He added the Queens detachment will help supply material as well.

The program also involves a “Be Quiet A Thon” fundraiser for which students remain quiet after getting pledge sheet sponsors. He didn’t mention if this includes at home.

Raising certain amounts of money will lead to more books for the schools, helped in part by contributions from more supporters of the program, he added.

He said students can read simpler books to their siblings, and the books count, and older students can help younger students during the team effort.

The initiative’s web site is www.fightingcrime.ca.