Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is BuildLiteracy.org?

www.BuildLiteracy.org is partnership building website designed to help libraries improve and expand literacy services and programs. The website features information, materials, and resources about how libraries, local agencies, and corporate partners work together to build stronger community-based literacy partnerships and more literate communities.

The website includes examples of sound literacy practices collected from libraries across the country. Additional content for the site is provided ALA, the Illinois Literacy Resource Development Center (www.ilrdc.org), the National Institute for Literacy (www.nifl.gov), and Literacy USA (www.naulc.org).

The website is administered by the American Library Association's (www.ala.org) Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (www.ala.org/olos; www.ala.org/literacy) and generously funded by Verizon (www.verizonreads.net ).

2. What is the Literacy Readiness Inventory (LRI)?

The Literacy Readiness Inventory (LRI) will help you identify, articulate, and reflect upon how your library approaches literacy. The LRI is divided into three sections: Meeting Community Needs, Demonstrating Financial Commitment, and Supporting Partnerships and Advocacy.

Complete and submit the LRI online at www.BuildLiteracy.org. Your responses will generate related resources including links, titles, and abstracts, as well as examples of sound literacy practices collected from libraries across the country. This information will help you reflect on your library's literacy accomplishments and identify gaps in literacy services, tell your library's literacy story to the community, the media, and the profession, and complete grant applications for literacy-related library funding.

3. What is the Capacity Building Tool Kit?

The Capacity Building Tool Kit is designed to be dynamic and content-rich. Currently, the Tool Kit includes information about Meeting Community Needs, Demonstrating Financial Commitment, and Supporting Partnerships and Advocacy. In just a few months, when the Tool Kit is fully operational, you will be able to browse and select the materials and resources you need to build literacy @ your library and in your community. The Capacity Building Tool Kit will include information about program design and evaluation, outreach efforts, community collaboration, technology, public relations, and grant writing.

4. Does BuildLiteracy.org have a place to learn from others and share experiences?

Click on Collective Wisdom and you'll find the three library literacy partnership case studies and a bulletin board. The bulletin board is a place for you to:

Share your success stories, bloopers, issues, and challenges;

Receive assistance and support;

Contribute to BuildLiteracy.org's content and resources.

5. How can I contact www.BuildLiteracy.org?

We want and need your feedback. Please,

Click on the Feedback Button on each page;

Tell use what you found useful and what else you'd like to see on the site;

Contact Dale Lipschultz at dlipschu@ala.org or Tim Ponder at tponder@buildliteracy.org.