How Libraries Can Help Adult Learners Improve Literacy

Get Literate: How Libraries Can Help Adult Learners Improve Literacy
Reading, Writing, & Education: 2011

Education – even free public education – is an investment. With a family, mental or physical issues, or a job already underway, many adult learners simply may not have had time or the resources to invest in improving their literacy. Fortunately, there are ways for adult learners to work on their literacy levels while still working, taking care of a family, or dealing with a learning difference. The ability to read literature, communicate clearly, and think critically can open the doors of opportunity for those adults who have struggled to break even.

One of the best ways to improve your literacy is to make visits to the public library a habit. The American public library system is a wonderful democratic institution, as it allows all community members access to books, music, film, records, computers, and the Internet – all for free. Often there are community events held in the library as well, such as book reading groups or book-a-thons. Sign up for a group, or get a reading partner to help you stay accountable. Set goals to read a few books a month, even if they are children’s or young adult books. The goal is to read literature that challenges you to think, but don’t overwhelm yourself so much that you get discouraged. Plan a visit to the library each week, and spend a couple hours browsing as well as reading. Try not to grab a stack of books and then head for the door; linger a while. The presence of other readers is encouraging.

If libraries are not your thing, you can use various Internet programs and websites to help you improve your literacy. You can search online for word games, such as Scrabble or Scattergories. There are also literacy support groups and ESL classes that you can sign up for. And once you have seen improvement in your literacy level, perhaps you could mentor someone else who is struggling with literacy.