Philippe Morin
Northern News Services
Monday, February 26, 2007

TUKTOYAKTUK - A "grand re-opening" of Mangilaluk school's library attracted more than 75 people last month, said principal Roman Mahnic.

It also encouraged children to read.

Mahnic said the renovations were unveiled on Jan. 24, during an event called Family Reading Day.

On that day, Mahnic said parents and students were invited to read books to each other, as well as tour the library's new reading space.

Improvements include new lights, sliding glass doors and better organized reference materials, Mahnic said.

The interested crowd could barely fit inside.

"It was jam packed. We had people in the hallways, it was that good," he said.

One of the people who attended was Julia Cockney, who brought her 8-year-old adopted grandson Cory Cockney. She said the new school library looks very inviting, and it's nice to see her grandson take pride in his learning.

"When I listen to Cory read, he's improved a lot since last year. So he must have been doing some serious reading," she said.

Mahnic said the new library is open for an hour after school, as part of a new school reading club.

"It's going to be a drop-in activity, and I think it will be quite popular," he said.