Blog by the Education and Literacy Services team
September is National Literacy Month, a time to reflect on the importance and impact of literacy in our day-to-day lives. According to ProLiteracy, in the U.S., approximately 48 million adults cannot read above a third-grade level. Globally, an estimated 763 million adults do not have basic literacy skills.
Research shows that low literacy rates can create significant barriers in a person’s life. It can make it difficult for an individual to complete day-to-day tasks and participate in the community around them. It can also create significant challenges in accessing employment opportunities and healthcare.
This is why we believe literacy is a right that should be available to all. We are committed to improving literacy through our Education and Literacy Services to positively support and shape our communities. We believe that literacy is about more than basic skills – it revolves around experiences relevant to the individual’s day-to-day life. By having literacy skills, people can set and achieve important goals in their lives and build the lives they want.
Keep reading to learn more about what resources and services Education and Literacy has to offer and how you can get involved!
Ways to Get Involved
Become a Learning Partner!
If you are looking for a way to have a direct impact on the lives of our community members by helping them reach their literacy goals, you can become a Learning Partner!
Alameda County Library’s Education and Literacy Services provides community members with free, 1-on-1 support to help them achieve their reading and writing goals, as well as their listening and speaking goals. Our services are available to 17-year-olds and adults, each of whom is matched with a volunteer Learning Partner who works with them on an individual basis. Our volunteer Learning Partners are kind individuals with open minds who value patience, empathy, flexibility, and working collaboratively with our learners. They meet our learners where they are and aim to create a learning environment that is relevant to learners’ lives, goals, and needs. They understand that learning takes time, can be difficult, and that everyone learns differently.
If this sounds like YOU, fill out an application to learn more.
Find a Book to Read About Literacy!
Literacy – the ability to read and write – is a powerful skill. It can transform lives and unlock meaningful opportunities. Check out these book recommendations curated by the Education and Literacy Services staff that highlight literacy and the transformative impact it can have on a person’s life.
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