Maricar
Laudato
IL-Other
Literacies
Fasick, A.
M. (2011). From Boardbook to Facebook:
Children’s services in an interactive age. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries
Unlimited.
Summary:
Chapter 5 in
this book, titled, “Changing Literacies for the 21st Century,” deals
with the various types of Information Literacies that have arisen due to the
changes in technology. At the opening of this chapter, it uses the 2004 United Nations definition
of literacy as the starting point to begin discussion on the various types of
literacies. The United Nations defines literacy as “the ability to identify,
understand, interpret, create, communicate and compute using printed and
written materials associated with varying contexts…and involves a continuum of
learning enabling individuals to achieve their goals, to develop their
knowledge and potential and to participate fully in their community and wider
society (Fasick, 58).” Throughout the chapter the author discusses 5 different
literacies: print literacy, information literacy, visual literacy, media
literacy, and multicultural literacy. Fasick outlines how illiteracy is tied to
economic and gender inequality. She points out how poverty is one of the
greatest predictors of illiteracy and that, generally, literacy rates for women
around the world are lower than men. In her discussion on Multicultural
literacy, Fasick points out how publishers are starting to reach out to authors
and illustrators from diverse backgrounds and how libraries have a
responsibility to build a more multicultural library collection.
Evaluation:
Even though
an overview of literacies was covered in one chapter, Fasick was effective in
underlining one main point: that literacy is not only a basic human right, but
that by pursuing universal literacy through libraries, we are pushing for other
human rights. I thought that this argument of hers was powerful, and thus, made
reading this chapter engaging. I liked how she stresses that, because of
America’s diversity, there is no “typical” American child and how we have a
responsibility to serve all types of patrons.
Very interesting post Maricar and I agree with Fasik points that "illiteracy is tied to economic and gender inequality" and "poverty is one of the greatest predictors of illiteracy". I would also say that illiteracy is one of the greatest predictors of poverty as well.
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