More than forty library staff attended the Florida Library Association Conference program, Making Your Library Literacy-Ready, in May 2002. Dale Lipschultz, the American Library Association's Literacy Officer and Tony Nichols, a student with the Jacksonville Public Library literacy program, led the discussion and answered questions. The following suggestions, compiled by Dale P. Lipschultz for the Diversity Fair at the ALA June, 2001 Conference, resulted from the dialogue.
Libraries can use this list to measure how friendly your library is for adult learners. When evaluating your library go beyond library staff. Get the perspectives of adult literacy professionals, volunteer tutors and adult learners.
Support |
| 1. The library has a literacy department.
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| 2. The literacy program is integrated into the library.
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| 3. The library has a literacy program with dedicated staff.
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| 4. The literacy program is supported by the library director.
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| 5. The library has signage that is appropriate for adult learners and others.
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| 6.The library has developed multiple ways for adult learners to locate the literacy program.
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Customer Service |
| 1.The library is "user-friendly". |
| 2. The library has greeters at the door. |
| 3. The library staff is cordial, willing to help, and takes the initiative to provide help and support. |
| 4. The library staff understands and is responsive to the needs of adult learners. |
| 5. Literacy students interact regularly with library staff and patrons. |
| 6. The library has adult learners as spokespeople, mentors, tutors, and staff.
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Training |
| 1. Library staff receive training about adult literacy, adult learners, and library literacy.
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| 2. The literacy program staff is qualified and consistent.
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| 3. The literacy program has an assessment plan that measures learner progress and library usage.
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Resources |
| 1. The library has adequate facilities to meet the needs of a literacy program.
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| 2. The library has the resources and technology to meet the needs of adult learners.
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| 3. The library has a book collection for adult learners, tutors, and teachers.
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| 4. The library also has a collection of video and audio instructional and educational materials.
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| 5. The library has resources and educational materials in native languages to support reading and literacy development of ESOL adults and their children.
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Outreach |
| 1. The library has an outreach program that informs adult learners and other underserved populations about the range of library services available at the main and branch libraries.
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| 2. The library has a bookmobile to reach adult learners in rural and remote areas.
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| 3. The library and the community understand that libraries are not just for readers.
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Collaboration |
| 1. The library's literacy program has visibility in the community.
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| 2. The library collaborates and networks with other literacy providers and social service agencies in the community.
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| 3. The library receives media support to showcase their literacy services and programs.
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Suggestions |
| 1. The library finds an alternative to the word literacy!
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