Many people may think of literacy as being the same thing as being able to read, but there's more to it. Literacy is not just knowing what sounds letters make, being able to pronounce sight words, or even knowing the definition of the words you read; it’s being able to read something and understand what it means to the point that a person can paraphrase, summarize, and answer comprehension questions about it.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 21% of adults in the United States read at or below a level 1 (out of 5), which is considered functionally illiterate. Alachua County fairs at a similar rate with 18.6% of adults being functionally illiterate according to a study done by the Florida Literacy Coalition. This is significant given the need to understand insurance information, written instructions, job applications, terms and conditions, and other tasks that involve reading.
In 1994, Congress issued Joint Resolution 413 in response to low literacy rates in the US, officially dubbing November 1 as National Family Literacy Day to emphasize the importance of and encourage literacy for all ages. If you or someone you know needs some help or even just a brush up on old skills, the Alachua County Library District has plenty of resources and programming targeting both adult and early literacy.
The Literacy Program hosts a Reading Class every Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Headquarters Library for adults looking to improve their reading skills and confidence. GED Study Sessions are held every Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Headquarters Library. For one-on-one help, the Literacy Program offers tutors at all 12 library locations, and they can assist in reading, writing, math, and English language learning. To sign up, email literacy@aclib.us, call 352-334-3920, or ask for the Literacy Program in person at the Headquarters Library.
Kiddos can get some practice through the library’s early literacy programming. Baby Time, for babies ages 1 and under, and Story Time, for toddlers and children ages 1 to 5, offer opportunities for kids to discover a love of reading before they start school. Check out those links for specific times and locations.
For students of all ages and casual learners, the website you’re on right now has a variety of databases to help with homework and gaining new skills, including Learning Express, Transparent Language, and LinkedIn Learning. All databases are free to access online with a library card! If you find yourself wanting to read but lack the motivation, Book Clubs are a great way to find community as you read. There are several different book clubs ongoing, or you can start your own with one of our Book Club Kits.
However, whenever, and whatever you read, this National Family Literacy Day, we encourage you to grab a loved one, pick up a book, a graphic novel, an audiobook, a magazine, or whatever you can get your hands on with words, and read.