Using family literacy in a multifaceted intervention strategy to establish school libraries in disadvantaged communites

Abstract

This article briefly discusses a multifaceted reading programme initiated by the Academic Literacy Research Unit (ALRU) at UNISA that runs in three primary schools in Atteridgeville, a township in Tshwane. A holistic approach is followed that involves teachers, learners, parents and to some extent the community. As part of the reading programme, family literacy workshops are held with parents (and other caregivers) to make them aware of the importance of reading and to stimulate them to encourage and support reading activities at home and at school. The establishment of functioning school libraries as support for the reading intervention is also an important part of the project. The focus of this article is on the use of family literacy workshops to introduce the reading programme and the fledgling school libraries to parents and the potential role of the school library in supporting reading activities.

Innovation Vol. 33 2006: pp. 44-58