Literacy: It’s not just the ability to read and write any more

When you think about literacy, you think reading and writing. “People use the word literacy for everything — even computers,” said Carolyn Larson, branch manager of the Lihu’e Library.

The word encompasses much more. “Literacy is such a big part of being able to function in the world,” she said.

Tomorrow from 10 a.m. to noon, Dennis Dresser, Kaua‘i literacy coordinator for Hawai‘i Literacy will be at Border’s Books to court potential tutors and students for his literacy campaign. “This is strictly an adult program,” said Dresser. “I hope to sign up ethnic tutors; Hawaiian tutors whom I can match with Hawaiian students, Filipino tutors with Filipino students.”

The tutorial sessions are free of charge and take place in a neutral meeting place. “Like a library or coffee shop,” said Dresser.

Why is it important to reach residents who struggle with comprehension in reading and writing? Larson said she’s concerned about the heavy responsibility that falls to the state’s library system. “Libraries are becoming more important. In addition to reading, they are the information source for computers,” he said.

“People are required to fill out forms in an electronic format more and more. Some government agencies don’t even use paper. People have to have access to computers,” said Larson.

Libraries aren’t set up to teach computer basics. “We spend a lot of time teaching people how to do a Google search, navigate a Web site, how to fill out an e-mail.”

This is where Kaua‘i Literacy’s campaign for tutors can appease the burden laid upon the library. “We need tutors who are computer literate,” Dresser said. “Computer literacy is a natural next step in the learning process.”

“We have people coming in to the library who have businesses and experience trouble filling out forms,” Larson said.

Dresser hopes to combine the reading and writing tutorial with business-related computer programs. “Like Excel,” he said. “We can use the computer lab at the library for tutorials.”

“We do see a lot of people coming in to just use the computers,” said Larson. “This is where people are going to apply their reading skills.”

How to reach the population most in need of the services is the next part of the equation. The public libraries and Head Start can help reach Kaua‘i residents in need of a tutor.

“We have the audience of the people who might need the services,” Larson said.

Head Start Director Frank Ranger said that one of the problems with illiteracy is a point of entry. “How do we get people to swallow their pride and confess they are illiterate?” His remedy is to reach adults through their children. At Head Start, children are sent home with books twice a week so a family member can read to them. “Through encouragement from the kids, parents attempt to read and gain confidence by making word associations with pictures,” Ranger said.

Ranger is concerned about the lack of literacy skills in the spoken vernacular though. “In education, we don’t teach literacy, we teach writing and research.” He points to the computer screen beside him. “You need to write a paper? Google. And then there’s spell check.”

But then again, “computer literacy is needed to function in the world,” said Larson.

The library worked with Hawai‘i Literacy before the advent of a Kaua‘i coordinator. “There’s not much funding for libraries,” says Larson. “We work in partnership with other people in the community, like Rotary Club.” The Rotary Club is an advocate for literacy on Kaua‘i.

“My goal is to try to get the student to commit to a six-month program,” said Dresser. Sessions last an hour-and-a-half. “Learning to read takes time.” Dresser said.

Nine boxes of brand new books from Border’s donations are available to the program’s participants.

“We don’t have money, we have books,” Dresser said. “Everything we raise on this island stays on this island.”

To learn more, Dennis Dresser can be reached at 332-5544 or dennis.dresser@hawaiiliteracy.org.