Read and Succeed   

"Literacy is an individual's ability to read, write and speak in English and compute and solve problems at levels of proficiency to function on the job and in society, to achieve one's goals and to develop one's knowledge and potential."
---National Literacy Act, 1991

In a world of diversions and distractions, finding time to read might be hard to do. But experts agree - reading can and does improve many aspects of life.

According to a 2004 survey taken by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), literary reading is in decline, with fewer than half of Americans reading for fun. Not surprisingly, the steepest rate of decline (28%) occurred in the youngest age group (18-24). The rate of decline is increasing, and, according to the study, has nearly tripled in the last decade.

"America can no longer take active and engaged literacy for granted," says NEA Chairman Dana Gioia. "As more Americans lose this capability, our nation becomes less informed, active and independent minded. These are not qualities that a free, innovative or productive society can afford to lose."

Besides its intrinsic value, the ability to read (or lack thereof) has real economic consequences. Adults who are better-than-average readers are also higher-than-average earners or more likely to have higher-paying jobs. It also affects your lifestyle; literary readers are much more likely to be involved in cultural, sports and volunteer activities than non-readers.

How do you become a better reader? Find something that grabs you - it could be a certain genre or author - and start reading. Broward County Library, with 37 locations and more than a million items in its collection, is a great place to start, since there are plenty of books to choose from at no cost.

If your reading skills need some fine tuning, check the listings in this month's Bookings to find adult literacy classes. Broward County Library offers free reading instruction to people of all ages and reading levels, and if language is a problem, bilingual tutors are available. Parents who cannot read tend to have children who struggle with reading - so take advantage of the literacy courses. Do it for your children.

For parents and caregivers, it's especially important to instill the importance of reading into their children. Reading aloud to children, even infants, is beneficial in many ways. For example, the development of early literacy skills is critically linked to a child's success in learning to read. According to a 1985 study by the National Commission on Reading, "reading aloud to children is the single most important intervention for developing their literacy skills."

Early reading experiences are now recognized as being of such importance that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that "pediatricians prescribe reading activities along with other instructions given to parents at the time of well-child visits."

"We strongly recommend daily reading to children from six months of age," said Dr. Robert E. Hannemann, president of the Academy.

In order to promote early literacy, Broward County Library offers a wide range of story time programs for all ages. Parents are encouraged to bring their children and sit in on the story sessions, then stay and pick up books to take home. Youth Service librarians will gladly assist you in selecting age-appropriate materials or recommending books. Many libraries also offer craft or free play sessions after story time - children then associate the library with fun. Making library visits a regular part of a child's routine helps keep them in the habit of reading as well as providing positive "literacy" role models.

Children or adult, literacy and reading are an integral part of an individual's success in school, at work and in life. 

Here are some little-known facts on reading and literacy:

• In California, the percentage of children who can't get past a fourth-grade reading level is used to gauge the number of future prisons beds needed. (Washington Post, July 2004)
• Studies show that kindergarteners that haven't been read to may have the vocabulary of a two-year-old; those who have may have the vocabulary of a ten-year-old.
• Adults who did not watch TV in a typical day are 48% more likely to be frequent readers.
• Lack of basic literacy skills is linked with academic failure, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, delinquency, unemployment, low productivity and welfare dependence.
• An estimated 880 million of the world's adults can't read or write.