THE PROBLEM IS ILLITERACY

Think about this...

  • Nearly 30 million American adults have serious problems with literacy.
  • One million American children between the ages of 12 and 17 cannot read above the third grade level.
  • 85 percent of all juveniles who appear in criminal court are functionally illiterate.
  • Current public and private programs serve only 19 percent of those who need help.
  • In the coming years, the supply of unskilled workers will increase, while the demand for unskilled labor will decrease.
  • By the year 2000, as many as 50 million American workers may have to be retrained for their jobs.
  • An estimated 85 percent of correction facility inmates do not have a high school diploma, and more than 75 percent lack basic reading and math skills.
  • Only three other states have a higher number of illiterate adults--Texas ranks 47th.
  • In the early 1990's, an average of 33 percent of all Texas 9th graders dropped out before finishing High School.

BE PART OF THE SOLUTION!

Be a Supporter

  • Provide a Meeting Room or Tutoring Space
  • Share AV or Computer Equipment
  • Use Grants or Funds to Support Local Literacy Programs
  • Help Publicize Local Literacy Activities
  • Make Referrals
  • House an Adult New Reader Collection
  • Provide Photocopying or Office Support
  • Purchase Tutor Training Materials
  • Maintain a Collection of Bilingual Books
  • Be a Volunteer

Be a Fund Raiser

  • Hold a Spelling Bee
  • Host a Murder Mystery Party
  • Sell Tote Bags with the Local Library Literacy Logo
  • Purchase Books, Software and other Teaching Aids
  • Plan and Book and Author Dinner
  • Involve your Friends Group in Raising Money
  • Apply for Grants

Be a Partner

  • Be Active in your Local Literacy Council
  • Form a Coalition with Volunteers and your School System
  • Provide Office Space
  • Conduct Literacy Tutor Training Sessions
  • Designate and Equip a Literacy Room
  • Collaborate with Head Start

Be a Leader

  • Start a Literacy Tutoring Program
  • Establish a Literacy Council
  • Design a Workplace ESL Program
  • Provide Group/Classroom Literacy and ESL Instruction

WHAT TEXAS LIBRARIES ARE DOING...

In Texas, 231 public libraries are sponsoring literacy programs throughout the state, and 95, 125 persons have benefited from literacy instruction, supported in part or whole by state and federal funds.

Over 191,000 school children from 1,560 Texas schools participated in the Texas Bluebonnet Award program, sponsored by the Children's Round Table of the Texas Library Association and the Texas Association of School Librarians.

Each year over 420,000 school children complete the summer reading program sponsored by the Texas State Library, by reading at least 10 books to earn a Reading Club Certificate.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

The Literacy Committee, Texas Library Association
3355 Bee Cave Road, Suite 401
Austin, Texas 78746
512/328-1518 or 800/580-2852
FAX: 512/328-8852
WEB: http://www.txla.org

Special thanks to all the Texas Libraries that provide literacy services to their public.