What are the best ways to raise and maintain the literacy level of all Manitobans?

In Manitoba the literacy movement has grown and been nurtured through an environment that is strongly community based. It is then not surprising that the consultation participants based many of their comments
about raising literacy levels on the strength of their local involvement at the teaching-learning level.

DELIVERY STRUCTURE

Most participants felt that there was a strong need for a more coherent system that continues to facilitate the community–based model.

• There was a general call for more collaboration and partnership between programs, support agencies and government departments.
• There were many parties who advocated enhanced literacy program accessibility including flexible hours of operation and more programs located within practical distance of learners.
• There was strong advocacy to create “one stop shops” in certain strategic locations. These larger program centres would be structured to meet the needs of all of their adult learners.
• There were specific calls to integrate literacy and Adult Learning Centre programs in some manner.
• There was also a call to have centres focus on, or specialize in, providing service to certain kinds of learners.
• Libraries, a socially inclusive service, were recognized by some participants as key resources in terms of holdings, expertise, outreach, internet access, facilities availability and general support services. At present they are seen to be peripheral players.
• A few participants indicated that in many communities there are no libraries and no access to books, particularly in the North.
• There was one specific call for a Minister’s Advisory Council on Adult Literacy as well as regional councils to facilitate input on implementation and evaluation.
• There was one call for an Institute of Literacy independent of government, which would conduct and disseminate research.