Mapping the American Literacy Ecosystem via Library Journal

Mapping the American Literacy Ecosystem

Library Journal: 6.23.2020 by  Ian Chant

On literacy, libraries don't have to go it alone.

There is probably no single cause more popular than literacy. While libraries of all types are of course front and center in the fight, everything from a plethora of other governmental agencies to literacy-specific nonprofits international and domestic to giant for-profit corporations like McDonalds have dedicated resources to promoting reading and addressing the literacy crisis we scoped in our April issue (“How Serious Is America's Literacy Problem?” by Amy Rea.).

That complex landscape means a wealth of opportunities for partnership and/or funding for libraries. It also comes with the challenges of coordination and the need to avoid reinventing the wheel. If your library is looking to start a new literacy program or level up its existing offerings, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the local landscape of what’s already on offer and what the gaps and opportunities are.

In a crowded field, knowing which partners are right for your team, and how best to work with them, can be tricky. Here’s a rundown of some key players in the literacy space and their thoughts on what to know before you reach out for support for training, teaching tools, grants, etc.

KNOW YOUR NEEDS

Whether you’re establishing a new program or expanding an existing one, librarians and literacy consultants alike agree the first step is coming to an understanding of what your library’s offering should look like, and why. A literacy program for early readers looks much different from one for adults looking to pass high school equivalency exams, and both look different from a literacy program focused on English as a second language (ESL).

Having a sense of the kind of program you want to establish, and why it’s the most appropriate choice for your community, is not only foundational to your internal planning—it’s a question to which partners will expect a good answer.

Local libraries should know two main things—what the need for literacy programs looks like in their service area, and what programs are already serving those needs.

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STATE LIBRARY SUPPORT

In California, 105 of the state’s 186 public library jurisdictions operate adult and family literacy programs supported by California Library Literacy Services (CLLS), a program of the state library. CLLS administers $7.3 million in state funding each year and also supports in-person and online training for literacy program staff and volunteers.

On the other coast, the New Jersey State Library provides continuing education opportunities such as the Literacy Boot Camp, a four-day training seminar that combines workshops, speakers, and hands-on training, which was developed in partnership with New Jersey’s Plainfield Public Library in 2015.

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PARTNERSHIPS IN ACTION

How can partnering with a larger organization help level up your library literacy program?

One ADLI grantee, the Terrebonne Parish Library in Louisiana, used the resources from its grant to develop a collection of books helpful to communities of English learners.

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UMBRELLA ORGANIZATIONS

Organizations and programs supporting literacy efforts come in many shapes and sizes, and serve a range of needs including early childhood, family, and adult literacy. Here are some of the key players.

AMERICAN DREAM LITERACY INITIATIVE Administered by the American Library Association (ALA) and funded by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, the American Dream Literacy Initiative (ADLI) provides grants to libraries serving adult learners, provided they are within 20 miles of a Dollar General store or office. In the 10 years since it started, the program has provided $10,000 grants to more than 200 libraries, supporting services like expanded services, workforce training, and collection development.

BARBARA BUSH FOUNDATION Since its founding 31 years ago, the mission of the Barbara Bush Foundation has evolved, but continues to work to serve literacy efforts aimed at children and adult learners alike.

DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY Since its inception in 1995, this program of the Dollywood Foundation has helped support early childhood literacy by sending children one book a month from birth until they turn five years old.

EVERY CHILD READY TO READ A collaboration of the Public Library Association and the Association for Library Service to Children, Every Child Ready To Read (ECRR) helps train library staff in developing workshops and resources for parents and caregivers looking to give their kids a leg up on literacy from a very young age.

NATIONAL CENTER FOR FAMILIES Learning Working to end poverty through family education.

PROLITERACY This umbrella organization, which supports member programs in all 50 states as well as internationally, doesn’t do direct granting, but does provide resources to help librarians hone their skills as both literacy tutors and advocates for their programs with local and state legislators

READING IS FUNDAMENTAL Funded by a variety of private organizations, Reading Is Fundamental works with schools and public libraries to give young readers access to books they never need to return to a drop box.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 16

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: College graduate