New Brunswick is facing a literacy crisis — and yet the Anglophone School District West is cutting the very people who nurture literacy in our schools: librarians.

Recent data shows that 43.4% of Grade 4 students are reading below appropriate levels, the worst performance in nearly 20 years (CBC/Yahoo News). The Child and Youth Advocate reports a 29% drop in child literacy over the past decade (Country94.ca).

Despite this, librarian and support staff positions are being cut — and these cuts represent only 1/15th of the total reductions planned by the district. The damage, however, will be lasting and disproportionate.

Meanwhile, the Province of New Brunswick recently posted a $500 million surplus and still projects a $41 million surplus this year (Global News, CityNews Halifax).

This is a question of values — not just numbers.

We believe that literacy is not optional.
We believe every student deserves a trained librarian who can help them access books, foster confidence, and build a love of reading.

As a New Brunswick-based publisher, Harbourbound Books is committed to promoting local stories, authors, and voices. But that work starts in the classroom — and it starts with librarians. By making these cuts, we are failing our students and futures. We are stunting creativity. 

We are calling on Premier Susan Holt and Superintendent David McTimoney to reverse the decision to cut librarian positions and protect literacy support in our schools.

Please sign and share this petition to show your support for New Brunswick students, educators, and librarians.

#SupportLibrarians #NBReads #StopTheCuts #SaveOurLibraries #NewBrunswickEducation