Open Letter on the Value of Librarians

To the Council of the City of Peterborough, the Peterborough Public Library Board, and the Peterborough Public Library CEO,

We, the undersigned, are dismayed by reports that the City of Peterborough is set to eliminate three specialist librarian roles, including its adult and teen programming librarian, the librarian who manages the library's information systems, and the children's librarian.

We are children’s authors, illustrators, and performers who value the irreplaceable work done by children’s librarians to nurture early literacy and foster a love of reading in the youngest members of our society.

We are also writers and artists for adults whose love of words began in childhood, at the library. We understand how essential literacy development, supporting creativity, and encouraging reading is for children and for the societies in which they grow up.

Children’s librarians are specialized professionals who empower children and ensure equitable access to resources for all. They support communities through education and family literacy. They help children discover books that reflect their identities, foster a sense of belonging, and expand their horizons. They highlight local, Canadian, and Indigenous authors, which is especially important at this historical juncture. Through stories and song, librarians build worlds where all kids can learn, play, and grow.

Children deserve safe, welcoming, and magical spaces where their imagination and creativity are encouraged and celebrated. Children’s librarians create these spaces in our public libraries.

That the City of Peterborough is considering eliminating these essential roles is deeply disappointing. In a world that feels increasingly indifferent and even hostile toward children’s wellbeing, this move is a giant step in the wrong direction.

Libraries are for everyone, especially children.

We urge the City of Peterborough and the Peterborough Public Library to reverse course. Please ensure these librarian positions remain in place so that the literacy, creativity, and joy of the children of Peterborough can continue to be cultivated.

Signed,

Margaret Atwood, writer

Neil Young, musician and author

Daryl Hannah, actor and director

Barbara Reid, children's author and illustrator

Fred Penner, family entertainer and Member of the Order of Canada

Lois Lowry, children’s author

The Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson, 26th Governor General of Canada

Sharon Hampson (of Sharon, Lois & Bram), author and children's performer

Bram Morrison (of Sharon, Lois & Bram), author and children's performer

Gordon Korman, author for kids and teens

Madeleine Thien, author

John Ralston Saul, author and philosopher

Julie Flett, children's author and artist

Drew Hayden Taylor, author

David A. Robertson, author and editorial director

Cory Doctorow, children’s author

Ron Sexsmith, songwriter

Emily Austin, writer

Kathryn Bahun, textile artist

Betty Baker, drag storyteller

Jill Barber, musician and children's author

Joan Barfoot, novelist

Ashley Barron, illustrator and and children's author

Gerten Basom, artist

Kate Beaton, children's author and illustrator

Kim Beavis Sanderson, new media artist

Michelle Berry, author

Kate Blair, children's author

Andrea Blinick, illustrator

Dreda Blow, dance theatre artist, educator, and author

Molly Blyth, writer

Sandra Bradley, children's author

Caroline M. Brooks (of The Good Lovelies), songwriter and musician

Joan Burrows, playwright

Samantha Chiusolo, illustrator

Devon Code, author

Kendra Coulter, author and professor

Ivan Coyote, author

Alex Croal, artist and photographer

Lorna Crozier, author and Officer of the Order of Canada

Nancy Jo Cullen, author

Chanel Daniels, author

Beatrice D'Angelo, artist

Emily De Angelis, author for teens and former librarian and teacher

Sadiqa de Meijer, author

Justin Dill, author

Ann Douglas, author

Jamie Drake, musician

Jenny Duda, illustrator

Mary Dunn, author

Esi Edugyan, author

Anna Eidt, Artistic Director, Peterborough Children's Chorus

Ali Eisner, television puppeteer, producer, writer, and director

Terry Fallis, novelist

Christine Fellows, artist
John Samson Fellows, artist

Andrew Forbes, author

Dan Fortin, musician and university instructor

Rob Fortin, musician

Stacey May Fowles, author

Brighid Fry (of the band Housewife), musician

Hollay A Ghadery, author

Avi Goodman, artist

Mary Gordon, writer

Laurie D. Graham, writer

Charlotte Gray, historian and author

Monique Gray Smith, author

Yvonne Guerin, artist

Voula Halliday, author

Sarah Harmer, songwriter

Elizabeth Hay, author

Jo Hayward-Haines, artist

Hunter R. Hennigar, author

Naseem Hrab, children's author

Jennifer Hubbs, children's book publishing representative

Scott Hughes, elementary educator and musician

Tom B. Hurley, author

Ann Jaeger, artist and writer

Linda V. Kash, children's performer and drama educator

Teresa Kerr (aka Mrs. T), children's storytime performer

Heidi Kisil, children's author and autism advocate

Thao Lam, author and illustrator

Taes Leavitt (aka Boots of Splash'N Boots), children's musician

Casandra Lee, children’s author, illustrator, and artist

Stephen Lee Naish, non-fiction author

Tracey Lindberg, author and educator

Jeff Gordon Macklin, artist

Kyo Maclear, children’s author

Laura Madera, artist

Charmaine Magumbe, children's author

Jodie Marko, media producer

Jocelyn Martin, writer, artist and library programmer

Suzette Mayr, writer

Patricia McCowan, children's author

Ami McKay, author

Loreena McKennit, musical creator and performer

Kelly McMichael, musician

Bruno Merz, children's author and illustrator

Carmen Mok, children’s book illustrator

The Hon. Maryam Monsef, entrepreneur

Gavin Muir, voice actor, music performer, and music educator

Heather M. O'Connor, children's author

Norman Nehmetallah, publisher

Danny Neville, children's author

David Newberry, songwriter and children's performer

Susan Newman, musician

Mai Nguyen, author

Carol Off, author and former CBC host

Susan Olding, author

Sara O'Leary, children’s author

Vic Osland, writer

Laurel Paluck, artist and arts educator

Murray Arthur Palmer, poet

Fawn Parker, author

Alice Pelot, illustrator

Aleesa Predergast, performer and school librarian

Adelle Purdham, author

Beatrix L. Quarrie, artist

Priya Ramsingh, author

Judy Rebick, author

Micky Renders, artist and educator

Lauren Reyes-Grange, children's author

Nino Ricci, author

Jael Richardson, author and executive director of The Festival of Literary Diversity

Debbie Ridpath Ohi, children's author and illustrator

Tanis Rideout, author

Scot Ritchie, children's author and illustrator

David A. Robertson, author and editorial director

Mark Rostrup, performer

R. Elizabeth Russell, children's author

Emma Scott, graphic designer

Joy Simmonds, musician and children's music educator

Richard Simpkins, performer

Margaret Slavin Dyment, author

Wendy Smith, performer

Matt Snell, writer

Blake Sproule, editor

Tracey Starrett, book store owner

Kathy Stinson, children's author

Brooklin Stormie, children's author and illustrator

Kate Story, young adult author and performer

Kate Suhr, artist

Jeannine Taylor, publisher

Ian Tyler, author

Bill Templeman, writer

J. Torres, writer

Florence Treadwell, author

Vikki VanSickle, children's author

Ziyash von Bieberstein, second poet laureate of Peterborough

Michelle Wang, children's author and teacher

Ken Whiteley, musician and record producer

Justine-Marie Williams, writer

Brent Wood, author and teacher

Sarah Yi Mei Tsiang, author

Alissa York, author

Lindsay Zier-Vogel, children's author