Area of Impact: Literacy
Literacy and learning were severely affected during the COVID-19 pandemic, and misinformation has made it difficult for people to understand what resources they can trust. Now more than ever, it is imperative that the Library expands its literacy and learning offerings to help people turn information into knowledge.
Our Goal
Help people access the skills, resources and opportunities they need to read, learn and navigate their lives. We will work with partners to build and strengthen networks of support that lead to positive impacts for priority literacy areas. We will provide access to more books and materials that support lifelong learning and student success.
How We Will Make an Impact
We will provide programs, collections, services and other resources to:
- Help children, teens and young adults build a love for reading and learning.
- Help students read at or above grade level.
- Support the needs of early learners and adult learners.
- Expand our Language Access Plan to ensure that non-English speakers and patrons with limited English proficiency have full access to the Library.
- Reduce access barriers for Seattle Public Schools students.
- Help people of all ages navigate social systems in their daily lives.
What’s Next
2025-2026 Priority Activities
- Establish standard early literacy components to be included in all pre-K Library programming.
- Establish a pilot program with Seattle Public Schools to deliver classroom sets for grades 2-4 in Title I schools.
- Establish the Library’s artificial intelligence policy.