Education Commons^™

Academic Librarians And Outreach Beyond The College Campus, Iona R. Malanchuk, Marilyn N. Ocha

The Southeastern Librarian

Although numerous efforts have been made to enhance the literacy skills of children and youth, recent research clearly demonstrates the continuing need to develop and implement additional imaginative programs which lead to an increase in reading and reading comprehension skills. Whereas public and school media librarians have paved the way towards building successful literacy programs, academic librarians should also participate in literacy outreach programs for children and youth in order to help build these skills and encourage lifelong learning. This article addresses why and how academic librarians can help with the nation’s efforts to combat illiteracy.