Dear Editor
I met Ian on my way into the library. Coming out of the library was our friend Crystal and her preteen daughter Coral. Crystal waved the young adult book I had recommended for Coral. I reported I was on my way in to the library to pick up a hold. My hold was the book on CD that Coral had recommended. Ian mentioned he had recently switched from radio to books on CDs for his commute. I walked Ian to the books on CD section and recommended my favourite mystery author.
While Coral, Crystal, Ian and I read for pleasure, there is evidence that literacy is an antidote to violence. Authors of Born for Love write, "Reading 'builds' networks in the cortex: the area of the brain responsible for planning and impulse control. Greater self-control tends to reduce violence."
Reading fiction allows us to practice empathy by "walking a mile" in a character's shoes. We experience pleasure when our character wins and pain when they lose. Differences in gender, age, race, income or lifestyle disappear. When reading, we experience our common humanity.
Libraries and librarians support literacy. For $6 per person per year, the provincial government can make the world a better place by reversing its cuts to the libraries. Sign the referendum petition at your local library and call your MLA. More actions available at https://savesasklibraries.ca/action-centre/.
Nancy Carswell
Shellbrook
