Read Write Bermuda Launched At CedarBridge
Minister Wayne Scott, Mr. David Altshuler of the Beuchner Society, and others visited CedarBridge Academy today [June 11] in order to announce the launch of a new campaign to promote reading and writing on the island through a partnership among Bermuda National Library [BNL], CedarBridge Academy, The Reading Clinic, and the Buechner Society of Bermuda.
The Campaign, called Read Write Bermuda, builds readers, supports writers, and expands libraries, helping to improve literacy and support the island’s literary community.
Minister Grant Gibbons said, “As the community leaders here at CedarBridge Academy, Bermuda National Library, and The Reading Clinic know first-hand, reading is the key to learning and lifelong enjoyment, yet some of our children and families either struggle with literacy or could benefit significantly from access to additional reading materials.
“The Read Write Bermuda Campaign will address these issues by expanding each partner’s capacity to enhance literacy and encourage an even greater love of reading and writing in our children and families.”
A spokesperson said, “Minister Gibbons announced the first in a series of several major gifts, supported by the Buechner Society of Bermuda that will be rolled out over the course of the Campaign.
“Through a gift of physical and E-books, the BNL will significantly increase its collection, eventually doubling its current collection. Additionally, a new E-book Centre at the Library, equipped with iPads and Kindles, will provide unprecedented access to the expanded collection as well as to worldwide magazines and newspapers.
“Partners CedarBridge Academy and The Reading Clinic also launched E-book Centres equipped with over 100 state-of-the-art iPads and Kindles. These iPads and Kindles, as E-book readers, will support access to the BNL’s expanded library collection. Librarians and reading experts across the partnership will work together to increase library membership and participation among students and to train teachers and tutors on use of the new technology.”
David Altshuler, Kalmar Richards, Principal Cedarbridge, Candace Seymour, Cedarbridge Librarian, Joanne Brangman, Head Librarian BNL, Julie Dunstan, The Reading Clinic, and Minister Scott
“CedarBridge students will benefit greatly from the new technology and the partnership with both the library and The Reading Clinic,” said CedarBridge Principal Kalmar Richards. “Together, we will work to improve Bermuda’s students’ reading skills and increase family literacy.”
Head Librarian Joanne Brangman explained, “The funding from the Buechner Society will allow the Library to significantly increase our collection. The addition of E-books will help us promote literacy in partnership with Cedarbridge Academy, The Reading Clinic, and especially local novelists. Theologian Fredrick Buechner shared both a love of literature and a reverence for Bermuda; it is our privilege to be a part of his legacy.”
“The Reading Clinic team is excited to be part of this innovative collaborative.” said Reading Clinic Director Dr. Julie Dunstan. “Literacy skills are critical for the success of individuals in our society and for the sustainability of our community as a whole. By partnering with the Buechner Society, The Bermuda National Library and CedarBridge Academy, we have the unique opportunity to extend our impact to more students on our island.”
Minister Scott said, “The Read Write Bermuda Campaign was created with the central support of Reverend Buechner and will have a long-term impact in three major areas of focus, including building readers, supporting writers, and expanding libraries.
“Funding will be used by the Bermuda National Library [BNL] to expand the Bermuda National Library Collection, through a combination of physical books and electronic books. The donation of iPads and Kindles will provide access to the expanded electronic collection as well as to worldwide magazines and newspapers.
“Further, funding will be used to build readers by expanding BNL’s Summer and Winter Reading Programmes. It should be noted that continued growth of these programmes will be supported as part of the Read Write Bermuda Campaign.
“Finally, BNL will use the funding to support writers through Writing Workshops at the BNL, including a poetry workshop with Ronald Lightbourne and a fiction workshop with Rawle Frederick in the fall of 2014. In addition, BNL will host Public Readings by Bermudian authors and in spring 2015, BNL and CedarBridge Academy will host an event with international Mark Twain expert Cindy Lovell to discuss Twain’s connections to the island and the role of Bermuda in the lives of writers.
“The continuation and expansion of these programmes would not have been possible without the tremendous gift from the Buechner Society; we thank you again for your continued promotion and support of improving literacy in Bermuda.”
Read More About
Category: All
