New Grant Supports the Creation of 500 Adult and Family Literacy Support Centers in Libraries Nationwide
Washington, D.C. – The American Library Association, with members of the Adult Literacy and Learning Impact Network (ALL IN), has received a National Leadership Grants Award for over $400,000 from the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences to design adult and family literacy support centers for libraries nationwide.
An estimated 54% of adults in the United States lack proficiency in foundational literacy, including reading, numeracy and digital skills. Young readers are struggling as well, with 64% of our nation’s fourth-graders reading below grade level. Literacy is directly connected to better health outcomes, reductions in recidivism for returning citizens, and better language and learning outcomes for children whose parents and caregivers have higher literacy. However, access to literacy skills and services remains a pervasive challenge across the country.
“Libraries are culturally and strategically positioned to close the literacy gap in this country. We have the data that informs our work and we understand the barriers ahead – but most importantly, we know the impact of leaning in as a champion toward these efforts,” said Kevin Strowder, Director, Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services for the American Library Association. “The innovative collective we’ve established through ALL IN and key library systems, with essential support from IMLS, prepares us to enhance the blueprint for addressing the multiple literacy crisis in our communities.”
Through this new initiative, ALA and its partners from ALL IN will collaborate with the Charleston County Public Library, the Chicago Public Library and the Delaware Library Consortium to codesign a suite of resources and training materials to help library professionals nationwide support literacy building in their local communities. Resources will include a guidebook to build librarian and library staff capacity to meet diverse adult and family literacy needs.
ALL IN is a collective impact initiative that brings together national thought leaders from the adult literacy field and beyond to transform adult and family literacy for millions of Americans. Members of the collaborative, including the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, National Center for Families Learning, ProLiteracy and World Education, will partner with the American Library Association on this initiative.
For 35 years, NCFL has formed dedicated partnerships with libraries across the country as key community institutions that provide critical access points for literacy acquisition and family learning. Libraries provide vital spaces and services that enable conversation, connection, and community-building for children and families. This IMLS grant provides an invaluable opportunity for a collective of national nonprofits to elevate the important role that libraries have in supporting much-needed adult education and family literacy resources. Felicia Cumings-Smith, National Center for Families Learning.
In addition to ALL IN’s deep expertise in adult and family literacy, three local library systems will bring an invaluable, community-focused perspective to the development of these resources.
“Collaborations like this are essential in improving our community’s literacy and quality of life. Our public library is a trusted source, and we are relied upon to meet our community’s evolving needs,” said Angela Craig, Executive Director of Charleston County Public Library. “These trainings and resources better position our system to directly support our families and their ability to live, work, and play.”
“At Chicago Public Library, literacy is at the heart of everything we do,” said Commissioner Chris Brown. “This grant allows us to amplify our efforts, collaborate with literacy champions, and make a real difference in the lives of Chicago families. It’s a fantastic opportunity to empower our communities and celebrate the joy of learning together.”
”Delaware Libraries and the Delaware Literacy Alliance are honored to participate and excited to share our progress in supporting literacy across the lifespan, enhancing it with guidance from national experts in the field of adult literacy,” said Dr. Annie Norman, State Librarian of Delaware.
The resources developed over the course of this two-year project will ultimately be made available to libraries nationwide, improving literacy services for hundreds of thousands of adults and families.
About the American Library Association: The American Library Association (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org.
About ALL IN: The Adult Literacy and Learning Impact Network is a collective impact initiative formed by national thought leaders in the adult learning field and beyond. Convened by the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy and generously supported by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, ALL IN is charged with carrying out the goals of the National Action Plan for Adult Literacy, a multisector, multiyear initiative designed to drive inclusive, collective action to increase adult literacy nationwide.