Literacy

Supporting lifelong literacy through a variety of resources and initiatives supporting family literacy, adult literacy, English language learners, and more

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Our Mission

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We assist and promote libraries in helping children and adults develop the skills they need, including the ability to read and use technology, understanding that the ability to seek and effectively utilize information resources is essential in a global information society.

Get Involved

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Join the Committee on Literacy

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Join us in promoting literacy! Shape policies, develop programs, and raise awareness within our association. Collaborate with us and other �۰�̨ͼ��units to empower libraries and communities. Let's partner with national organizations to make a difference!

Three people crowded around a laptop in a library, smiling at the image on the screen

Join the Literacy Assembly

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Join us in ALA's literacy hub! Amplify our commitment beyond committees. Exchange ideas, address concerns, and coordinate impactful programming. Let's boost literacy activities association-wide. Join the movement today.

Join a Webinar

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Don't miss out! Join our upcoming webinar or catch recordings on increasing literacy in your community. Learn strategies to make a difference. Let's empower communities through knowledge together!

Key Resources

A group of young people sitting in a circle enjoying a book

A website bringing together literacy efforts from across ALA

An initiative by ProLiteracy and the Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services. You will need to make a free account on ProLiteracy's LMS in order to access the resources.

The American Dream Literacy Initiative

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Introduction to the American Dream Starts @ your library project. For more than a century public libraries have been a cornerstone of the American Dream. Since January 2007, the �۰�̨ͼ�� has funded 100 libraries in 28 states. This initiative is generously funded by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.

Engaging Multilingual Communities and English Language Learners in U.S. Librari…

A toolkit for public and academic libraries on how to best address the needs of multilingual communities and those who wish to improve their English language skills

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Literacy for All: Adult Literacy through Libraries

A toolkit to help libraries add, expand, and advocate for adult literacy services.

An initiative from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Public Library Association

Policy Manual

B.8 Services and Responsibilities of Libraries (Old Number 52)

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B.8.1 Literacy (Old Number 50.6) B.8.1.1 Literacy and State Library Agencies (Old Number 50.6.1) B.8.1.2 Literacy and the Role of Libraries (Old Number 50.6.2) B.8.2