Library workers nurture literacy through the delivery of diverse programs and services
School, public, and post-secondary education libraries house vast numbers of learning resources in print and electronic format that people can borrow and browse at their leisure. The resources provide equal access for all to information, knowledge, and culture. They help promote literacy and shape new ideas and perspectives that are central to a creative, innovative, healthy, and prosperous society.
But it is not just the resources libraries offer that promote literacy. It is also the broad range of literacy programs and services that library workers plan, organize, and deliver that nurture literacy skills.
Talk to a local library worker to learn more about the programs and services they provide that could help you or a family member strengthen or develop new literacy skills across the age span. There might be something there that interests you!
Below are examples of the literacy programs and services that CUPE members proudly offer in libraries across the country. They highlight the knowledge, skills, and creative talents of CUPE library workers and the breadth of programming that is available. There is much more to library work than you might think!
- Family literacy night for parents and children
- Author visits and facilitated writing clinics
- Student poetry and writing contests
- Peer tutor groups to support student essay writing and exams
- Dewey decimal scavenger hunts
- Book displays containing a variety of materials for different reading levels
- Book clubs and small group book chats
- Baby and family story times
- Summer reading clubs
- English and French language conversation and learning
- Social and emotional literacy kits for children
- Memory care kits for people with dementia
- Musical instrument library
- Maker programs, including small appliance repair, bike repair, and more
- Financial literacy programs offering help with wills and estates, taxes, applying for the Home Heating Supplement Program, and more
- Chess club
- Knitters circle
- Adult literacy programs to help learners upgrade their literacy skills
- Digital literacy mini college credits to develop critical digital literacy skills
- Research skills development
- Teaching critical reading skills
- How to perform online data searches