From: Mev Miller <mev_at_winternet.com>
Contact: Mev Miller, 651-646-0097, mev_at_litwomen.org
WE LEARN Launches Research Study on Women-Centered / Women-Positive Basic
Literacy Materials
St. Paul, MN --- WE LEARN (Women Expanding - Literacy Education Action
Resource Network) values and promotes literacy and literature for all women,
especially those with lower-level English reading and writing skills. In an
effort to cultivate meaningful literacy resources and curriculum, WE LEARN
has launched a participatory research project involving adult women learners,
as well as educators and librarians who have connections to literacy efforts.
In addition to learning what materials are currently being used to meet
the needs of adult women learners, this study will also explore what
resources could be developed that don't already exist (including what
topics, genres, formats, etc.). The primary goal of this project will be
to initiate collaborative strategies to develop and create women-centered
basic English literacy materials.
Though this research project will work closely with adult women learners
and literacy educators, librarians who work in collections development or
who maintain a selection of literacy materials in their libraries are
invited to participate. Libraries that support literacy programs in their
building are also encouraged to respond.
Initial participation involves responding to a questionnaire seeking
information about what women-centered literacy materials exist in library
collections; how they were found and what was the selection criterion;
if adult learner patrons request or use women-centered literacy materials;
and what literacy resources and materials are still needed in this area.
The questionnaire for librarians can be found at
www.litwomen.org/libquest.html. Hard copies will be mailed upon request.
The deadline for participation is July 1, 2001.
A final report will be provided in print format to the respondents, to
the Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS), and posted on
www.litwomen.org/WLindex.html
the WE LEARN website. Possibilities also exist for librarians to
participate in the long-term efforts and projects of WE LEARN.
Women and girls need and deserve access to a variety of creative
educational opportunities, programs, resources, and materials at all
levels of readability. WE LEARN has been established to maintain a
resource list of women-centered / women-positive adult basic English
literacy materials that help women understand their situations as women;
to create a resource center / clearinghouse dedicated to the publishing,
review, networking, and distribution of women-centered literacy
resources and materials; and to develop a network of learners, literacy
workers, librarians, educators, and writers committed to and involved in
the process of creating and distributing women-centered or feminist adult
basic literacy materials.
To obtain more information about this project, to get a copy of the
questionnaire, or to be added to the mailing list, plea
se contact Mev Miller at 1483 Laurel Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104-6737,
(phone) 651-646-0097, (fax) 651-646-1153, (email) mev_at_litwomen.org.
Additional information can be found on the WE LEARN website at
www.litwomen.org/WLindex.html.
We Learn
Women Expanding - Literacy Education Action Resource Network
Mev Miller, Contact Person
1483 Laurel Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55104-6737
651-646-0097
651-646-1153 (fax)
mev_at_litwomen.org
www.litwomen.org/WLindex.html
Mev Miller
mev_at_winternet.com
Received on Mon Feb 26 2001 - 05:51:38 EST