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Britco Commits to Building 5 More Libraries

Britco Structures of Langley has been a prime sponsor of the Lt. Governor Steven Point’s aboriginal literacy initiative from the beginning. The company, which builds modular trailers on its property in suburban Langley, donated the first modular trailer to the Toosey Reserve near Williams Lake in 2011. Britco is now promising to get even more deeply involved in the Write to Read project.

Christoph Neufeld - Britco General Manager of LeasingBritco Structure - Langley, BCIn this video clip Britco General Manager of Leasing Christoph Neufeld explains that the response to their donation of the first trailer was so overwhelming that the company has decided to continue its involvement, but to an even greater extent. Each trailer costs about $25,000 to build, and there are also transportation costs to deliver each trailer to remote locations around the province. Nonetheless, Britco has offered to build, donate and deliver many more trailers in 2012 and 2013.

“We have committed to a total of 6 modular buildings now,” says Neufeld, and “and we may do more in the future. We are committed to be partners in the Write to Read Project, and to finding out what the First Nations needs are, and where they are located, and find out how we can help.”

The first modular building was a donation from Britco to the Toosey band of the Chilcotin Nation at Riske Creek near Williams Lake. The 40’ by 12’ trailer was towed to the reserve and installed next to the new band office, where it is acting as a library. Inside the library are several new computers, equipped with high-speed broadband connections. The library, band office and kitchen now serve as a community centre for the entire Toosey band.

Lt. Governor opens new library in Oweekeno

LRT
Lt. Governor Judy Guichon will be in attendance in late April for the opening of Write to Read’s newest library at Oweekeno (or Rivers Inlet as it also known). Located south of Bella Bella on the coast, Oweekeno is home to 280 members of the Wuikinuxv Nation, many of whom  live off reserve. Currently the band has an administration office, a health centre, a K7 school, a firehall, an airstrip and a Big House for ceremonies. And now a library.

A modular building has been donated by prime Write to Read sponsor Britco Structures in partnership with the Lionsgate Rotary Club of North Vancouver who donated the computers and furniture. The Jack Gin Foundation supplied funding for the transportation of the module. Several Vancouver businesses assisted with installation and construction and the LRT (Library Response Team, shown in photo with Her Honour, centre) oversaw the implementation of a catalogue system and trained the local library volunteers.

According to W2R Project Coordinator Bob Blacker, the delivery of the Oweekeno library has been quite a challenge due to the remoteness of the community and the inlet’s shallow waters. The overall cost of the entire project, including delivery, has worked out to $68,250. Estimates of the total costs of each library vary due to circumstance, but the approximate cost of each project is between $30,000 and $50,000, an extremely low cost considering the many benefits to all concerned.

Not only are thousands of books (appropriate for children) delivered to a community that could never afford them, but computers connected to the Internet allow the kids to gain necessary computer literacy. Perhaps most important is the direct link made between remote communities and urban business groups like the Rotary clubs that are participating. These are equal partnerships based on trust, allowing for future dialogue and new endeavours.

Libraries are scheduled to be built at many more remote aboriginal communities around the province in the next few years depending on sponsorship. Companies, individuals and organizations interested in donating to the Write to Read Project are encouraged to contact Andrew Robinson at the Government House Foundation at 250-356-1829. All donations are eligible for a tax receipt. Donors contributing $10,000 or more are invited to an annual reception and may have their names associated with the libraries.

For media queries, or more information about getting involved with Write to Read as a volunteer, or contribute to the website, or to assist with publicity, please call Write to Read editor Michael McCarthy at 604-441-1846 or email editor@writetoreadproject.org.