To the 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 that I had recommended for Coral. I reported that I was on my way in to the library to pick up a hold.
My hold was the book on CD which Coral had recommended. Ian mentioned that 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 life-style 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
