ALA and literacy education: working to meet demand

摘要

In 1992, the National Adult Literacy Survey reported that 40 million adults demonstrated skills at the lowest literacy level defined in the survey. More and more libraries are being challenged to provide services and programming for this group of nonreaders and new readers. In fact, during the 1990s the number of libraries providing literacy services and referral information increased, but the demand continues to far outpace the response. As a way of preparing to meet this demand, the possibility of including literacy education in the library school curriculum has been broadly discussed. One of the most interesting and thought-provoking discussions took place in an online community--the library-lit discussion list (library-lit@ala.org), owned and moderated by ALA's Office for Literacy and Outreach Services--and emerged in response to questions posed by an MLIS student from San Jose State University. The responses yielded the following list of short-term and long-range suggested activities for ALA: 1. Identify schools offering literacy courses. Develop and disseminate a list of the courses offered, including interdepartmental options. 2. Develop a library-literacy awareness campaign directed at the current crop of librarians. 3. Contact new-member sections of state library associations and offer to cosponsor a program featuring literacy opportunities in libraries. 4. Develop a speakers' bureau consisting of library-literacy professionals and distribute this list, with suggested topics and venues, to ALA-accredited schools. 5. Facilitate a discussion on literacy and MLS programs at ALA conferences. Include librarians, library directors, and library school faculty from institutions that do and do not offer literacy courses, literacy program directors, and funders.