Used Book Sales To Support Literacy Alliance

Did you know that 28% of the metro area's population (that's almost 900,000 adults) are living with low literacy skills? Or that children who aren't read to and don't develop basic literacy practices when they enter school are 3 to 4 times more likely to drop out? Or that businesses nation-wide estimate spending an average of $600 million per year on remedial reading, writing and math skills for their employees? Even the US military spends on average $70 million annually for basic skills remediation for new recruits. Well now you have a chance to help combat the problem of low literacy in the city of Atlanta.

The Literacy Alliance of Metro Atlanta is partnering with A Capella Books to host ongoing used book sales benefiting LAMA! Thanks to Lama's founding member, Laura Hauser, proceeds from the Used Book Sales will support LAMA and find seed grants for its members. The next book sale is on Saturday, December 14 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. These special book sales will occur on each 2nd Saturday and 4th Sunday of the month, just in time for holiday gift-giving season!

The Literary Alliance of Metropolitan Atlanta (LAMA) has a mission to achieve 100% literacy among metro Atlanta's adults and families by providing visibility for the issue of low literacy; providing visibility for its member organizations in their work to combat low literacy; developing and implementing a viable model for expansion of literacy programming; and to offer a single marketing-and-funding mechanism for the member organizations so that they are free to deliver our mission. The coalition hopes to increase public awareness about low-literacy as it is one of the root causes of poverty, un- and under-employment, homelessness, and poor health outcomes. We also provide a gateway to our member organizations as they focus to expand literacy programming in the Metropolitan Atlanta Area.

This practical and innovative coalition is comprised of nonprofits (literacy, refugee/ immigrant services, and human service providers;) governmental agencies, including county library systems, the Technical College System of Georgia, school systems that offer adult education services, higher education colleges and universities; umbrella organizations like the United Way and the Certified Literate Communities Program; and business and community leaders. Together, they strive to have a lasting impact on the Metro Atlanta community. Help support their cause and buy some books this Saturday!

Third Annual Walk/Run For Literacy!

Get Fit For Lit! What better way to support the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System as we work towards improving literacy around metro Atlanta? Why not sign up for the 3rd Annual 5K Walk/Run for Literacy, hosted by the Literacy Alliance of Metro Atlanta (LAMA)!

The Literacy Alliance of Metro Atlanta was formed in June 2010 in response to an identified community need: the nearly 900,000 adults in the community with low literacy skills (including both native and non-native speakers of English.) That is 28% of the metro area’s population. Low literacy is one of the root causes of poverty, un- and under-employment, homelessness, and poor health outcomes – all of which have vast implications in terms of the cost to society.

You can find more information about LAMA on their website or Facebook page, and more educational facts about literacy here.

If the statistics above come as a shock to you, then it's time to show your support for literacy initiatives! This event is scheduled for Saturday, September 14 at 8:00 a.m., and will take place in Grant Park at 840 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315. Did we mention it's a Peachtree Road Race qualifier? You can register on the FitForLit website, and when you do be sure to select the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System in the "Additional Information" section to ensure your registration fee goes towards supporting our fantastic GED program, which includes preparation classes and testing. Registration fees are $20 per adult (online and paper registration available), $10 per student and $60 per teams of four. 

And even if you aren't much of a runner (or walker for that matter!) the best part is you can still register and give your financial support without having to participate! Last year patrons and staff from the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System narrowly beat out the participants from the Dekalb County Public Library and we'd love to see that happen again! Help us reach our goal and help support the efforts of all of the organizations in our city that work to make a difference in people's lives every day. 

Walk For Literacy!

Did you know that 900,000 adults in the metro area lack basic literacy skills? This includes  both native and non-native speakers of English. It's a frightening statistic, but the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System and the Literacy Alliance of Metro Atlanta (LAMA) are working to change it. LAMA is a practical and innovative coalition that seeks to achieve 100% literacy among metro Atlanta's adults and families. By increasing public awareness about low-literacy being one of the root causes of poverty, un- and under-employment, homelessness, and poor health outcomes, LAMA hopes to see real change in Atlanta's citizens. They also provide a gateway to our member organizations as they focus to expand literacy programming in the Metropolitan Atlanta Area.

Please support AFPLS's participation in the second annual Literacy Run/Walk to be held on September 29 at 8:00 AM on the Decatur square. The fee is $20 but you don’t have to attend to show your support! Register here today and be sure to choose Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System as the recipient of your funds. All proceeds for AFPLS will go directly to our award-winning GED testing program. But hurry, the deadline to register is Friday, September 28!

P.S. It’s a fun event, a fun walk and Rocky the Reading Raccoon will be there to cheer you on!