Theme: Connecting Libraries and Community Partners

Case Example: ABC des Portages · Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec · 1990 – Present. Contact Person: Anne Paquette · ABC des Portages.

Motivation for ABC des Portages: Librarians in the region recognized a need for literacy training among adults in the region. The initiative arose from a general recognition of the lack of access to literacy programs in the region and general need to increase awareness about literacy.

Description of the ABC des Portages: The initiative is called ABC des Portages. Its goals are to provide basic literacy training to adults in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region; to promote adult literacy in the region; and to sensitize the population to the issue of adult literacy. ABC des Portages has been active since 1990. Adults with low literacy skills receive basic training in reading, writing and computer skills in small groups from a trainer. Training takes place in municipal libraries or local employment centers. The network of municipal libraries, the School Board and the local employment centers are partners in the initiative. ABC des Portages manages the initiative, co-ordinates the trainers, publicizes the initiative, etc. The municipal libraries contribute resources such as classroom space, onsite computers and books. The local employment centres also commit classroom space. ABC des Portages is funded by the School Board and the local employment centres.

ABC des Portages is promoted by publicity campaigns, including door-to-door promotion. Other community organizations, such as collective kitchens, and community health and mental health centers, have been instrumental in raising awareness. ABC des Portages is an autonomous organization with 12 employees including 1 representative from the municipal library board.

Successes and Impacts: ABC des Portages has been successful in giving many adults in the region access to literacy training. Approximately 80 adults participate in the program every year, and each participant commits to 3-6 hours/week of literacy training. The participants are encouraged to read with their families, which also promotes family literacy.

Challenges: It has been it has been difficult to reach and recruit adults with low literacy skills, because most are reluctant to seek help. To overcome this challenge, since 2003 ABC des Portages has embarked on a door-to-door recruitment campaign, especially in the poorer parts of the region. This effort has been very successful at increasing participants. The Bas-Saint-Laurent region of Quebec encompasses 20 villages. To overcome this difficulty and provide access to more people, training takes place in the municipal library of each village.

Advice: Literacy initiatives should create ties with the municipal libraries because librarians have a role in recognizing adults with low literacy skills when a client has difficulty using the library. The librarian should ask him/herself why this is the case and be attentive to the needs of their clientele when providing service. Since many municipal libraries have computers, basic computer training is also an important part of the literacy training.