Mr. Speaker, the Semaine des bibliothèques publiques du Québec, which is taking place this week, seeks to make Quebecers aware of the multiple resources provided by libraries.
Public libraries are no longer the austere and cold places that some of us may remember. Quebec's 974 libraries offer such resources as books, records, videos, CD-ROMs and the Internet. Libraries are user-friendly and accessible. They rely on modern technology, while acting as keepers of our culture.
Also, as pointed out in a Statistic Canada study, there is a connection between reading to young children and school success. In Laval, for example, libraries organized L'Heure du conte pour les bambins, public dictations, including the famous Dictée du Nord, and readings by well-known authors.
I am taking this opportunity to thank all those people in Quebec who help make public libraries lively and thriving places to learn, discover and dream.