Remembering their Story

(Photo courtesy of The Pictou Advocate) 

To promote reading and to tell the story of those who fought for their country, public libraries and Royal Canadian Legions across Nova Scotia are giving away 6000 copies of Norman Leach’s award-winning book Passchendaele, an illustrated history.

The idea originated with the Adopt-a-Library Literacy Program, a Nova Scotia initiative to encourage children and youth to read regularly. The books are a donation from Coteau Books and have been transported to Nova Scotia free of charge by Canadian Freightways, Kingsway Transport, and Connors Transfer. All nine regional public library systems are working closely with the Royal Canadian Legion, Nova Scotia Nunavut Command to have books available during poppy drives, in local libraries, and other legion events. They will be distributed while supplies last.

Eric Stackhouse, Chief Librarian for Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library and one of the organizers explains “All Nova Scotians, especially children and youth, should understand the sacrifice that ordinary people have made, and make, for our country. Reading their stories is one of the best ways to do that.” Passchendaele, an illustrated history tells the story, through text and photographs, of a pivotal Canadian battle during World War One.

Cst. John Kennedy, Coordinator for the Adopt-a-Library Literacy Program, is enthusiastic about the partnership. “By working together we were able to make this happen for hardly any cost, but without the staff of the public libraries, going above and beyond their regular duties, working with local Legion members, it would not have happened.”