Restocking and reorganizing bookshelves. (Provided photo — Diane Chase)

I never take my or my family’s ability to read and write for granted. Escaping into a book has allowed me to travel the world without leaving my home, take me on voyages, and introduce me to global leaders through their own words. Reading isn’t just about escaping into another world. It’s about being able to perform daily tasks to survive in society. The inability to understand a business contract, complete a job application, or read a prescription bottle could have dire consequences. Reading and writing seem like basic skills, but these are impossible tasks for some people.

According to the National Literacy Institute’s 2022 Literacy Study results, 21% of adults in the United States are illiterate, while 54% have a literacy rating below a 6th-grade level. The data also indicated that 44% of Americans read only one book yearly. How does this affect children? Students struggling with reading correlates to how they do in other subjects. More than 60% of behavioral issues happen during group or independent reading assignments. Students can feel socially and emotionally inadequate.

I’m not an educator or reading expert. I am just a reader. I have seen my friends’ children struggle with learning disorders and disabilities. Literacy isn’t as simple as teaching someone the alphabet, as each child and circumstance is different. There is also the overwhelming battle of generational illiteracy.

Thankfully, all the schools have libraries run by Media Specialists offering access to free books, computers, and even audiobooks. As much as people complain about assessments, the information provides educators with a baseline to help children succeed.

In New York state, when children turn 12, they can get their public library card. Of course, parents and caregivers can take books out for other family members. Public libraries are also hubs of community activities, providing lectures, classes, story times, computer access as well as books. I remember how excited my children were when they could access books with their own cards. It helped them learn to be responsible for deadlines and care for borrowed property.

Services are available to ease people into becoming readers. As with many things, the problem is getting the information to those in need. The irony is not lost on me that the people needing to know about available literacy services aren’t capable of getting the information from my column. Thank you to all the bookshop owners, librarians, reading specialists, and educators for continuing the work to make reading available to everyone.