Factsheet #7 - Literacy and Libraries

Every Canadian a Reader
 ~ vision statement for Canadian libraries, 1996

Libraries are for access to information
Libraries have long been a place of free access to the printed word. Nowadays they also connect people to the internet, distance education and a wide variety of audio-visual materials. Libraries have a history of responding to community needs, and are part of Canada’s investment towards a fully literate society. Libraries are based on the democratic right of all citizens to access recorded knowledge and expressions of creativity.
 

Libraries are for life-long reading
Libraries work to build positive reading experiences for adults and children. They understand that reading because you like it is the most powerful tool for literacy development. Current research confirms strong relationships between the quality of school libraries and reading test scores. Dr. Stephen Krashen (University of California) believes “the first step to improving literacy is to improve school libraries.”
 

What libraries can do for literacy
Libraries recognize that literacy is the key to bringing information to life so they actively support literacy activities in their schools and communities. Many libraries help bridge the literacy gap with:

• Library and information services for all citizens
  Libraries research, develop and deliver innovative and appropriate library and information services to their communities and/or students. Libraries help individuals meet their formal and informal learning needs.
• Special literacy learning materials
  Many libraries have collections of print and audiovisual resources for literacy learners, instructors and tutors. They also provide community access to computers and basic skills software.
• Literacy programs
  Some libraries offer literacy programs that train volunteer tutors and match them up with adult learners.

MCL#7 – rev 06/01

MCL gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Thomas Quigley, (Co-convenor for the Canadian Library Association’s Action for LiteracyInterest Group), in preparing this document.

Literacy support services
Libraries often develop partnerships with local literacy and social service agencies. They publicize local literacy programs and services, make referrals, provide space for tutoring sessions and classes, and highlight literacy issues in the community. They may offer special tours and easy-to-read materials to demystify the library and its services for learners in literacy programs.

Special reading and story-time programs
Many libraries offer parent-child story times, homework clubs, reading groups and special interest workshops to encourage people to make use of the library and find out more about what a library offers.

Suggested Resources:

Birckmayer, Jennifer. “The Role of Public Libraries in Emergent and Family Literacy,” Zero to Three, Volume 21, No. 3 (Dec. 2000/Jan. 2001) See it online at: www.zerotothree.org/vol21-3s.pdf

Centre for Research on Literacy. The Directory of Canadian Adult Literacy Research in English, University of Alberta. See the website at www.nald.ca/crd/

Comings, John T. and Sondra Cuban. So I Made Up my Mind: Introducing a Study of Adult Learner Persistence in Library Literacy Programs. New York: Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation, 2000.

Ives, Suzanne. Come to the Library Series (An introduction to public libraries for adult new readers) Burnaby: British Columbia Library Association, 1996. See their website at www.ola.bc.ca

National Adult Literacy Database (NALD) full range of online resources and links on all aspects of adult literacy in Canada.  See the website at www.nald.ca

National Library of Canada, Fulfilling the Promise: The Report of the Task Force on Access to Information for Print-Disabled Canadians, Ottawa, 2000. See it online at www.nlc-bnc.ca/accessinfo/tfpd-e.htm

Office for Literacy and Outreach Services. American Library Association, Chicago, Illinois. www.ala.org/olos/index.htm

Quigley, Thomas. Public Libraries and Literacy: Toward a National Front Line Strategy. Ottawa: Canadian Library Association, 1995.

Singh, Sandra. “Literacy Planning, Evaluation and Programming: A Bibliography”, in Feliciter Vol. 43, No. 9 (Sept. 1997).

Spangenberg, Gail. Even Anchors Need Lifelines: Public Libraries in Adult Literacy: a Study. New York City: Spangenberg Learning Resources, 1996. Available from the Library of Congress’ Center for the Book at www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/970224/center.html

For more information, contact the Canadian Library Association, 328 Frank Street, Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0X 8 / Tel: 613-232-9625 / Fax: 613-563-9895 / Website: www.cla.ca

or look up the library association in your region by clicking on the National Library of Canada’s website at www.nlc-bnc.ca/8/8/index-e.html