September 8th is International Literacy Day. This day celebrates literacy around the world, and encourages us to help combat illiteracy. In honor of ILD, I’ve decided to share 5 ways to help encourage reading in your community.
1. Read
I feel this one is a little obvious – if you want to encourage reading, be a role model and read! Read on the bus, discuss your favorite book with others, or better yet, read to younger children. Share with younger generations the joy of reading, what you like about books, your favorite books, anything to encourage them. When I was growing up, I saw my parents reading all the time. I was always allowed to go to the library (it was close to my house) and check out books. While I needed permission to go on the computer or play video games, I never needed permission to read a book, and to this day it is still one of my favorite activities.
2. Volunteer at Your Library
My freshmen year of college I volunteered at the public library, and it was an adventure! I spent a lot of time creating crafts to go along with books, helping librarians choose books to read to children, and I even got to sit in on some of the readings. Sure the book was written for children, but nothing compares to watching a child gasp at some small plot twist or laughing at a silly character. Sometimes the job can be boring – no one enjoys having to clean books, but the benefits very much outweigh the negatives.
3. Join a Book Club
Book clubs can seem a little cliché, but it provides a way to meet new people and it forces you to read the book. I know I have trouble making time to read, but with a book club I force myself to find time so I don’t disappoint in the discussion! Join Emma Watson’s book club or start your own with a group friends – I promise it will not disappoint.
4. Volunteer with an Illiteracy Project
Feeling really advantageous about helping people become more literate? Volunteer with an illiteracy program! These programs are designed to help adults, the disabled, and those learning English to become more literate. Approximately 14% of the United States population cannot read, we should aim to make that 0%. Why stop within our own country? The global literacy rate stands at about 86% literacy – we should aim to make that 100% literacy.
5. Talk About International Literacy Day
Bring awareness to illiteracy by talking about ILD! Discuss it at work, with friends, or even with strangers. Many people are fortunate enough to be literate, but those who are illiterate lack a voice to speak up. The more light that is shed on this problem, the more we can do to improve our literacy rate at home and globally.
Find out more about literacy here.
