The Literacy Council of Reading-Berks joins others in the community as a “Little Free Library” site, thanks to a generous donation from Darlene Imbesi and Contemporary Insurance in Kenhorst. The official unveiling will be on Monday, July 24, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. at the Council’s headquarters in West Lawn.
“Literacy affords the opportunity to offer a better tomorrow for individuals. The Little Free Library will provide an additional opportunity for the residents of Berks County to have access to books,” Imbesi said.
The Little Free Libraries inspire a love of reading, builds community, and sparks creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world. Through Little Free Libraries, millions of books are exchanged each year, profoundly increasing access to books for readers of all ages and backgrounds. One of the most successful ways to improve the reading achievement of children is to increase their access to books, especially at home (McGill-Franzen & Allington, 2009). But according to the U.S. Department of Education, up to 61% of low-income families do not have any books for their kids at home. Little Free Libraries play an essential role by providing 24/7 access to books (and encouraging a love of reading!).
The Literacy Council is celebrating its 49th year of providing exceptional adult literacy services in Berks County. Since 1968, the Literacy Council has helped thousands of adults improve their reading, writing, math, and English-language skills. However, there are still approximately 90,000 adults in Berks County who need to develop sufficient literacy skills to become self-reliant in today’s world.
The mission of the Literacy Council of Reading-Berks is to help people better communicate, collaborate and contribute to their workplace and community. Current programs include one-on-one tutoring, classes for English as a Second Language and citizenship preparation, workforce development training, high school equivalency preparation, English Forward training to create more ESL classes in the community, and other services. The Literacy Council’s vision is to eradicate illiteracy in Berks County by teaching people the vital reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language skills needed to improve their quality of life and enable more productive employment and community citizenship.