Literacy is more than knowing how to read and write. It is about having the skills to function in society. Four out of every ten adult Canadians do not have the literacy skills needed to deal with most of the written information they see every day.

As part of its commitment to the promotion of lifelong learning, the KPL has collections of materials for adults who are learning to read, write or upgrade their literacy skills. Some of the material is also useful for ESL students. The collection includes resources for teachers of literacy and ESL.

There are books and book-and-tape or CD kits, which allow readers to follow the text while listening to the book being read. All the resources are for adults but are written using limited vocabulary and at varying degrees of difficulty.

Subjects include:

• Reading, writing, grammar
• Math
• Life skills
• Understanding bills and writing cheques
• Shopping, reading nutrition labels on food packages
• Filling out forms
• Voting
• Reading a bus timetable
• Looking for a job and writing a resume
• Passing a driver’s test

It’s not all work. Graded classic and contemporary fiction make reading a pleasure.

A great way to improve literacy skills is for parents to read to their children. There are plenty of books that are fun to read together in the Children’s Department.

The Tutorial Room at the Main Library is available free of charge for tutors to meet with their students. It can be booked by calling 519-743-0271, ext. 238.

Tours of the library can be arranged for tutors and students by contacting the Coordinator of Information Services at 519.743.0271 x 232.

For more information, visit these literacy sites.