Ethnic Affiliates develop innovative family literacy initiatives

CHICAGO – The Ethnic Affiliates of the American Library Association (ALA) will showcase their Family Literacy Focus literacy initiatives, in a program titled “Tools to Promote Family Literacy and Advocacy,” during ALA’s Annual Conference in Washington. The program will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 26 in the Capital A/B rooms of the Embassy Suites Convention Center, 900 Tenth Street NW.

In January 2010, ALA and ALA President Dr. Camila Alire launched the Family Literacy Focus, an initiative to encourage families in ethnically diverse communities to read and learn together. ALA’s five Ethnic Affiliates received funding to develop innovative, culturally focused family literacy programs emphasizing oral and written traditions and exploring new literacies.

Among the highlights:

• The American Indian Library Association (AILA) and the Asian/Pacific Americans Library Association (APALA) combined their resources and created Talk Story: Sharing Stories, Sharing Culture.
• The Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) held an author-centered intergenerational literacy program for Grand Families @ your library.
• The Chinese-American Library Association (CALA) brought generations together through literacy and cultural activities by Bridging Generations, a Bag at a Time.
• REFORMA held Noche de Cuentos to support storytelling, oral traditions, and preserve cultures.

Representatives from the Affiliates will discuss the impact of these remarkable and replicable projects. In addition, they will share tips, tools, and lessons learned so you can focus on family literacy in your library and your community.