BEHCHOKO/RAE-EDZO
Staff at the Chief Jimmy Bruneau School library are trying to make the space welcoming for the whole community, said one of its librarians.

Sisters Lee-ci Gon, standing, and Ili Gon spend time together reading during a literacy night at Chief Jimmy Bruneau School's library. - photo courtesy of Emily Jarvis

Emily Jarvis said since the school library combined with the Northwest Territories' public library system a few years ago, staff have been able to access more funds and make improvements.

"The school always had a library, but when the public library joined with the school library it really helped us update the resources and update what was in here and keep things current," Jarvis said.

The latest development will be the addition of four more computers later this month, which will bring the library's total to eight machines.

Jarvis said Internet access is available on both the computers and two iPads, which are also equipped with aboriginal language apps for anyone wanting to improve their Tlicho or another language.

The library also received an infrastructure grant through NWT Public Libraries, which will allow staff to convert a part of the library currently used for storage into a new seating area complete with new couches and coffee tables, along with a SMART Board.

Jarvis said the goal is to show community members what the library has to offer.

Another librarian has been organizing evening programs one or two days a week, which feature traditional activities, such as drumming and handgames.

Jarvis said elders and older students are invited to help demonstrate activities and snacks are provided.

"A lot of people are coming out for that," she said.

Brandy Rabesca, in Grade 12, helps out during activities and said she usually runs the craft table for younger kids. Last week, the group made chicks out of pompoms in celebration of Easter.

"They enjoyed it," she said.

Rabesca said she's thrilled about changes taking place at the library, especially the addition of new books.

"There are more newer books and books that we can relate to, so it's pretty exciting," she said. "I'm on my fifth book this month."

Jarvis said Family Literacy nights were also held in February and March to encourage residents to drop in.

"Trying to have the family literacy events sort of makes it open and an easy way to get in the door and be able to check out what's there and then hopefully come back," she said.

She said about 80 people attended the first night and about 65 attended the second.

"They were really well attended and people want to see more stuff like that, so hopefully we'll be able to offer some more," she said.

Jarvis said she would like to hold another literacy night in May, which would include traditional outdoor activities, such as cleaning and frying fish. She said the school has its own cabin nearby, which could be used in collaboration with indoor events at the library.

"I was thinking maybe it would be nice to have a spring-themed literacy event where we have cleaning and cooking fish and families could participate in that and help their kids learn how to do that," she said.

Jarvis said the library also has more than 100 audiobooks available for those who struggle with reading or are visually impaired. She said available titles, include Mockingjay, the third in the Hunger Games trilogy, and the first book in the Gone series, by Michael Grant.

The library also has magazines and movies.

Jarvis said every class in the school has scheduled library visits throughout the week and the facility is also available as a homework area two days after school.

School and library staff also held contests this year to encourage reading, such as the Get Caught Reading campaign where teachers handed out ballots to students they noticed were reading on their own time.

Students who received ballots got to pick out a free book or prize at the library and ballots were used in a grand prize draw at the end of February where the winner received a free book from the book fair.

Jarvis said another program is scheduled to begin within the next few weeks, which will ask library patrons for book recommendations. The chosen books will be featured at the front of the library along with a sticker of the name of the person who suggested the book.

The library is also hosting exhibitions from the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, including an upcoming photo exhibit by photographer Bern Will Brown.

Jarvis said the ultimate goal is to create an environment where residents and students are at ease using the library.

"I think that in our region, there is a big push towards always promoting literacy, trying to come up with new ways to do that and trying to come up with ways to make people feel comfortable coming into the library and to the school," she said.

"We do have a lot of people, I think, who wouldn't necessarily be that comfortable coming in or aren't sure what to expect."

Jarvis said she encourages community members to sign up for library cards and see what the library has to offer.

"They can sign up for a public library card here and then they're able to check out anything in our holdings," she said.

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