ALA Literacy Clearinghouse

This site brings together resources from across the American Library Association (ALA) and beyond that promote literacy across the lifespan.

ALA’s Committee on Literacy uses the definition of literacy from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC):

"Literacy is the ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate and compute, using printed and written materials associated with varying contexts. Literacy involves a continuum of learning in enabling individuals to achieve their goals, to develop their knowledge and potential, and to participate fully in their community and wider society.”

                         Equity of Access               New Literacies

American Library Association
225 N Michigan Ave
Suite 1300
Chicago, IL 60601

1-800-545-2433 ext. 4294
Fax: 312-280-3256
Email: diversity@ala.org