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TL11.1_v5 sionally staffed and have appropri- ate print and electronic collections have a direct, measurable, signifi- cant, positive impact on student achievement. In the United States, policy makers have recognized the significance of these research find- ings and are increasing support for school libraries. In Ontario, as a response to continuing mediocre provincial scores on EQAO reading and writing tests, the previous gov- ernment has poured millions of dol- lars into various targeted literacy initiatives (such as the Early Years Reading Strategy, Middle Years Literacy, Students at Risk in grades 7-12). Yet school libraries have been ignored in these initiatives, as has collaboration between teacher- librarians and classroom teachers in delivering effective literacy pro- grams. As well, although these initia- tives have provided funding for literacy resources, there has been no targeted provincial funding in these initiatives for school library resources. Policy makers must sure- ly be aware of the research on the positive impact of school libraries on student literacy. Has the omis- sion of school libraries been deliber- ate? What needs to be done to address the crisis? 1. The Ministry of Education needs to develop a new provincial 34 Ontario School Library Association Dear Minister Kennedy, Congratulations on the election of your government and on your appointment as Minister of Education. We in the Ontario school library community appreciate the fact that you already understand some of the serious issues affecting your portfolio from your previous role as Education Critic. We also appreciate that you have indicated your willingness to listen to the con- cerns of parent and teacher groups in finding solutions to problems in our public education system. School libraries are a core compo- nent of education and have been described as the heart of a school. Indeed the school library's function is of increasing importance with the introduction of a new curriculum which stresses research and analyti- cal skills, and with the growing emphasis on improving student liter- acy skills. However, because of staffing cuts and cuts to resource budgets since the 1997 introduction of the "Student Focussed Funding Formula", there has been a marked deterioration in the ability of school libraries to fulfill their functions. School libraries in Ontario are in a state of crisis. There is a growing body of research which concludes that school libraries which are profes- ONTARIO SCHOOL LIBRARY ASSOCIATION President's Report 2003 OSLA COUNCIL Esther Rosenfeld President Toronto District School Board esther.rosenfeld@tdsb.on.ca Roberta Henley Vice-President / President-Elect Brantford Collegiate Institute & VS Grand Erie District School Board bhenley@bfree.on.ca Angela Di Prima Secretary-Treasurer Father Bressani Catholic High School York Catholic District School Board diprima@learn.ycdsb.edu.on.ca Sya Van Geest Past-President syavg@home.com Kendra Godin-Svoboda Durham District School Board godinsvoboda_kendra@durham.edu.on.ca Flavia Renon Nepean High School Ottawa-Carleton District School Board flavia_renon@ocdsb.edu.on.ca Anita Brooks Kirkland Waterloo Region District School Board anita_brooks-kirkland@wrdsb.on.ca Linda Girardo St. Agnes and St. Stephen Schools York Catholic District School Board lgirardo@learn.ycdsb.edu.on.ca Terri Lyons Sir G.E. Cartier Public School Thames Valley District School Board ttlyons@rogers.com Joyce Cunningham Rainy River joycec@jam21.net Rose Dodgson Toronto District School Board rose.dodgson@tdsb.on.ca AN OPEN LETTER TO THE HON. GERARD