Environmental Scan Newcomer Reading Programs at Canadian Libraries
Library Contact Reading Programs Comments
Calgary Public Luke Gray Great Fiction for ESL Readers: program 3 times a year targeted at ESL
LIbrary Luke.Gray@calgarypu students who had exhausted the ESL fiction collection and wanted to branch off
bliclibrary.com into adult fiction collection. Provides book lists with a variety of suggestions such
as Harry Potter and short story collections; also book lists of unabridged audio
book that matches the printed title. Some non-fiction titles discussed.
Reading Advantage is a literacy program also attended by some ESL students.
Edmonton Public Caroline Land English Conversation Circle (run by Catholic Social Services at 7 branches) While there is an emphasis on conversation,
Library Library Chat – English Conversation Club (run by staff at 3 branches) the groups do look at printed material,
Practice English @ your Library (run by staff at 7 branches) particularly newspapers like English Express.
Selected lists of titles on learning English on
website.
In the past EPL has had bookclubs for English
Language Learners (both children and adults),
but not currently offering these programs.
Greater Victoria Patricia Eaton Promote to newcomers Tumblebooks - an online literacy resource geared to
Public Library children and adults
Halifax Public cunnind@halifax.ca English Language Learning programs on
Library website. Section for Readers on website has
no special programs for ESL.
Kitchener-Waterloo Nathalie Gibbons English Conversation Circle Has Library Settlement Programs but not
Public Library Natalie.Gibbons@kpl.o specific to reading.
www.kpl.org rg
Markham Public Chris Sheehy Hindi book club and Cantonese book club. ESL language programs are all run by school
Library board.
New Brunswick Carole MacFarquahar St. John Free Public Library – literary festival writing contest has special section
Public Library carole.macfarquahar@ for literacy students; displays highlighting materials purchased with provincial
gnb.ca grant for materials helping newcomers to read; planning weekly conversation
circle and reading/writing workshops for newcomers.
Kennebecasis Public Library – Reading Buddies for children in the summer;
Summer Reading Program.
Environmental Scan of Newcomer Reading Programs at Canadian libraries Page 1 of 2 August 18, 2010
Environmental Scan Newcomer Reading Programs at Canadian Libraries
Library Contact Reading Programs Comments
Ottawa Public Tabitha.Waithaka@biblioo English Conversation Circles in 12 branches and French Conversation Circle in OPL is a partner in the provincial Library
Library ttawalibrary.ca 4 branches. Settlement Partnership program. The Library
ESL Homework club which includes help in reading. Settlement Workers from the partner agencies
Promoting the TumbleBooks to newcomers especially those in ESL/LINC run these programs with the help of volunteers.
classes Some clients have one on one conversations
ESL/FSL newcomer children summer program which have different themes but based on some simple story books/picture
the idea is improve their reading skills books
Toronto Public English Reading Circle TPL is a partner in the provincial Library
Library ESL book clubs Settlement Partnership program.
English Conversation Circle
Book Clubs in Polish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish
ESL/LINC classes
ESL Homework clubs which includes help in reading
English Can be Fun - summer program for newcomer children ages 7-10
Great Reads Short and Easy –booklist of easy reads developed by Literacy
staff
Booklist of Novels for advanced ESL readers – in development
The following programs are not specifically for newcomers but many newcomers
participate:
Leading to Reading classes for children
Ready for Reading program for children
Reading Buddies program at one branch in the summer
Summer Reading Club for children and teens
Summer Reading Contest on online book club caters to all readers
Keep Toronto Reading month long program promotes reading to all groups
Vancouver Public Ross Bliss ESL Book clubs
Library Ross.bliss@vpl.ca ESL Book club sets
Summer Reading Clubs for children and adults in any of the 14 languages VPL
offers.
Develop ESL Reading circle.
Winnipeg Public Website has Programs to promote reading with EAL learners (children at
Library different levels), including puzzles and crosswords.
Environmental Scan of Newcomer Reading Programs at Canadian libraries Page 2 of 2 August 18, 2010