Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, recently I had some parents reach out to me in regard to the lack of library books in the Liidlii Kue Secondary School. It is my understanding that the previous principal had the majority of these books removed from the library. This is a concern. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of ECE: why would a school remove books from the library? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are a variety of reasons that things actually get thrown out, or books get taken out of libraries. It is a normal procedure. I just want to ensure that, when I first heard the concern, this wasn't a book-burning exercise; that wasn't happening. It is regular that teachers and principals have to go through their books in their libraries to make sure things are still current.
Books get outdated very quickly, covers of books get ripped up very quickly, and cultures change. We are really aware of that. It is very common, actually, to go through books to make sure that we are still appropriate for the generation that we are in, and the students that are accepting that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to thank the Minister for that answer, and I am glad we are not burning books, because I think we need to worry about our education and the history of it. Can the Minister explain how the principal decided what books were to be removed from the library?
The first thing that was brought to the principal's attention was actually brought by staff members who were complaining that the books were outdated, that the resources weren't being used, that they were old, and they were sitting in boxes for years. They wanted better access to them. Then the principal actually went to the superintendent of the board to get their approval and was approved, and so then the process began.
I thank the Minister for that answer. Can the Minister advise if there are any steps to replenish the books that have been removed from the library?
Yes. There is a yearly fund that is given to schools to actually purchase more resources, such as library books, if that is their wish. I should note that, within that region, also, the District Education Council is in the process of setting up a virtual library called OverDrive. The current plans will see this virtual library up and running before the end of March 2019, so I am excited to return to the region and actually take a look at what that virtual library will look like, because it will be my first experience, as well.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister's answer, and I look forward to going with her to see what this OverDrive looks like, because I was thinking it was a vehicle, but I guess it is now a library term online.
Mr. Speaker, parents and community members still have concerns about re-establishing a central library in the Liidlii Kue Secondary School. Who would they bring their concerns to? Is it the local DEA, the principal, or the DEC superintendent? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
There are regular reporting or conflict procedures to deal with in schools. Ideally, like any good communication, it is speak to the individual, so speak to the teacher. In this case, though, when we are looking at books, it would be speak to your principal and then, if you are not happy with the principal's answer, go to your superintendent for the District Education Council.
If you are not happy with the superintendent, then you can put out a written letter into the board, the District Education Council, but I really want to stress that most of these issues can be dealt with at the local level. It is very appropriate to deal with these issues with your principals to follow the correct procedures. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
