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Literacy Collection Development

Literacy Collection Development

Building a literacy collection

A literacy collection may provide patrons resources for acquiring basic skills in reading and writing, studying for the GED or learning English. Adult learners might be enrolled in a literacy program or working independently. Literacy organizations and instructors may seek materials to use within their programs or supplementary material for their students.

Materials in a literacy collection may include: 

  • Picture dictionaries, bilingual dictionaries and visual encyclopedias
  • Workbooks for self-directed study
  • Subscription services and software
  • Fiction and nonfiction
  • Audiobooks and e-books
  • Curriculum sets
  • U.S. citizenship toolkits and resources

Reference books and self-directed study

Picture dictionaries, bilingual dictionaries, visual encyclopedias and workbooks may be used by a self-directed learner or as supplementary material for a literacy program

English for Everyone
The multi-level English for Everyone series is designed for the self-directed English learner and covers the vocabulary and grammar skills needed for English-language exams, including the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Published by DK, a division of Penguin Random House. 

Oxford Picture Dictionaries
These illustrated dictionaries are available in a monolingual English version and in bilingual versions including English-Spanish and English-Haitian Creole. Vocabulary units are organized by themes, including everyday language, people, housing, food and recreation. Published by Oxford University Press.

DK Smithsonian Visual Encyclopedia
The Visual Encyclopedia includes over 4,000 entries covering science, nature, space, history, art, technology, leisure and culture. The information is organized thematically for simple navigation and is accessible to a wide range of readers.

Subscription services and software

Some of the subscription programs your library already has could be an easy way to add dimension to a literacy collection without spending additional funds. 

  • Brainfuse has a learning lab with live help. 
  • Hoopla, Libby, and CloudLibrary have e-books and e-audiobooks. Hoopla has some streaming titles as well. Video with subtitles can be great for literacy learners.
  • Mango and Transparent teach English using a gamified system. 
  • Peterson’s and Momentix have practice tests for IELTS and citizenship. 
  • Peterson's Master the GED Test 2020 is available through the Florida Electronic Library with unlimited patron access and downloads. Use the translate tab for Spanish, Haitian Creole and 54 other languages.
  • Rosetta Stone software uses images, text and audio to teach languages without translation.

Fiction and nonfiction

Libraries may provide fiction and nonfiction books which are written to be accessible to adult literacy and English language learners. Reading fiction and nonfiction for pleasure can help reinforce and increase vocabulary, increase motivation for learning and strengthen confidence in reading.

This list of publishers features collections of novels and novellas, history, biographies and adventure stories. Reading levels range from advanced beginner to advanced intermediate.

Orca Books Rapid Reads Series
Rapid Reads are designed to look and feel like popular novels and are accessible for intermediate and advanced readers. Some titles are available in e-book and audiobook format.

Townsend Press
Selections include fiction classics, history and biographies, personal stories, adventure and sports stories, science fiction and contemporary nonfiction.

Grass Roots Press
Collections include the Good Reads Series of high-interest novellas by bestselling Canadian authors and Hi-Lo Biographies.

High Noon Books
Nonfiction titles include the Sound Out collection, the Info 101 series, and the interactive nonfiction adventure series, You Choose: Survival.

Fiction titles include Timeless Classics. Some of the same titles in an easier-level format are available in Differentiated Classics Level 1.

Multilevel core curriculum sets

These multilevel core curriculum sets are designed to be used with the support of an instructor or tutor. Sets designed for English language learners are indicated in the notes. Where not specified, materials are primarily structured for native English speakers although some materials may be suitable for English language learners.

English-No Problem!
English-No Problem! is designed to be used with the support of an instructor or tutor and focuses on learning English through readings about home, school, work and community. Published by New Readers Press, it is aligned to national standards for adult education and ESL and supports state standards for New York, California and Florida.

Step Forward
Step Forward is designed for English language learners and includes vocabulary, life stories, grammar and everyday conversation. Audio and video components are available. Published by Oxford University Press, Step Forward is aligned to the English Proficiency Standards for Adult Education (ELPS) and the College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education (CCRS).

Laubach Way to Reading and Laubach Way to English
Laubach Way to Reading starts with letter formation. Both English-speaking and English as a second language students can use the skill books, but their teachers use different manuals. Focus on Phonics is a supplemental series correlated to Laubach Way to Reading levels and lessons.

Challenger
The Challenger series teaches phonics, word families, prefixes and suffixes using a controlled vocabulary. Learners read short stories and complete exercises in short answer format. The curriculum is teacher-directed and assumes that students have some sight vocabulary and basic knowledge of letter sounds. Published by New Readers Press.

Journey to Success
Built on the principles of evidence-based reading, Journeys to Success helps adult learners build reading, writing, vocabulary and comprehension skills with contextualized nonfiction and fiction passages. This series is designed to be facilitated by a tutor. Published by New Readers Press.

The New Readers Press offers this guide to the Laubach Way to Reading, Challenger and Journey to Success.

Supplemental materials for English language learners and U.S. Citizenship

These print and online materials can help supplement a literacy collection for English language learners and those preparing for U.S. citizenship. Please note that the United States Citizen and Immigration Services naturalization test is being redesigned. Some citizenship materials may become out of date.

USA Learns
Free online courses in English and U.S. citizenship. USA Learns is administered by the Sacramento County Office of Education.

USCIS Citizenship Resource Center
 The Citizenship Resource Center has a collection of resources including:

Adult Learning

For FY2025-26, the percentage of total costs for the Adult Learning Program financed with federal money is 67%; the federal dollar amount to be spent on the project is $92,112. This program does not include any non-governmental funding.

imls180.for.panel.jpgMany of these resources and programs are funded under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Florida's LSTA program is administered by the Department of State's Division of Library and Information Services.

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