Support Literacy

Love Your Library from January 17 to February 29 and support library literacy programs. Donate $1 and post a literacy heart at your local DeKalb County Public Library branch. Or donate online and write Love Your Library in the comment box to have your heart posted at the Decatur Library. Your donation supports literacy programs for underserved adults and children in our community. Thank you for your support!

Help Encourage Literacy and Learning

In valuing a literate community, the Foundation focuses on literacy and youth services with funding for DeKalb County Public Library family literacy programs. These programs emphasize the importance of literacy and reading, helping children and youth gain needed literacy and language skills for success in school. Families develop life skills leading to personal and educational growth toward better lives.

Literacy statistics indicate one fifth of adults in Georgia have difficulties with the English language. In families with low literacy levels children are at risk of not developing adequate literacy skills. The DeKalb County Public Library supports children in disadvantaged families with literacy programs which promote education and learning and teach the importance of reading.

In January 2010, the Darro C. Willey Literacy Program Endowment was established with a matching challenge grant from the Fitzgerald Foundation. Major donors to this endowment are recognized on a plaque in the Decatur Library. This endowment provides permanent support for these library literacy programs which have been in existence more than twelve years. Consider making an investment in these literacy programs that intervene in young children’s lives, fight illiteracy and direct them toward lifelong learning. DONATE online or download a donation form and mail to DeKalb Library Foundation.

These library literacy programs are held in partnership with community agencies benefiting immigrants, refugees, the homeless and low income new parents and babies in DeKalb County. These crucial programs promote reading readiness for children, encourage family reading, and develop emerging literacy and language skills in adults and children in our community.

• PROJECT HORIZON helps children whose families are homeless or in transitional housing improve early literacy skills and keep up with homework.
• PROJECT REAP (Reading Empowers All People) helps immigrant and refugee children and parents improve their spoken English and literacy skills. It teaches parents how to partner in their children’s education through parent and child time (PACT).
• SCOTTDALE-TOBIE GRANT HOMEWORK CENTER provides reading and homework assistance for children and teens, reinforcing school lessons.

The goal of these literacy programs is for families to increase their engagement with books and reading, to help children succeed in school and to become aware of the library as a resource. As citizens become more literate, the DeKalb County Public Library is an excellent resource for their continued learning experiences. The Library offers books and other materials, English as a Second Language (ESL); adult learning and computer classes; plus a special learning collection to support literacy. For more information see the Literacy Services page.