Wicomico County Public Library is addressing teen literacy

"Teentober"

Salisbury, Md. – While librarians are encouraging students to dive into a spooky series, what’s truly scary is the literacy rate along the shore.

Reading is Fundamental 

Teentober is an initiative by the American Library Association to encourage youth literacy. Youth services manager for Wicomico County Public Library Karen Earp says not being able to read well is a hindrance. “Reading opens up so many doors that are closed to people who can’t… Think of all the ways it limits them. It limits the jobs they can do. It limits the opportunities for further education… You know we can’t do things like break people out of poverty if they can’t read.”

Hollow Homework 

According to a national annual report, 64% of America’s public-school students will graduate without becoming proficient in reading. Project Read Coordinator Demyra Harvey-Morris says teachers aren’t pushing teens to read as much. “Unless you’re in AP classes, schools aren’t really requiring reading. I have a 9th grader right now, and they read aloud in their classrooms, but where’s the homework? What else are we doing to encourage picking up a book and reading it?”

Pandemic Problems

After the COVID pandemic, Harvey-Morris says teen literacy fell. “We don’t really know all the effects of what happened to those students during those crucial years of having to pick up a book. And I think part of that has something to do with them losing the routine of going to the library to check out a book.”

Hardcopies

“While audio books are useful, educators believe that a hard copy makes a difference with comprehension and imagination. “There lots of ways to read, once you know how you can read an e-book, or listen to an audio book, or hold a book in your hands,” says Earp. “But when you’re holding the book in your hands, you get more of your senses involved.” Havery- Morris agrees. “Having that physical copy in your hand, and you’re able to physically turn the pages of it, I think you become more engrossed into what you’re reading.”

Teens should Read 

Teentober will be throughout the month of October, and teens are encouraged to find thrillers this holiday to pique their interest. The library says Project Read offers tutoring for teens and adults Monday through Friday, and just call 410-749-3512 extension 159, or visit their website for more details.