Literacy Belongs Everywhere

Building communities where everyone has the opportunity to read, learn, and thrive.

Literacy Zones bring neighbors, organizations, schools, businesses, faith communities, and public partners together to build literacy into the places where people are.

Community is the strategy.

Literacy Mid-South doesn't arrive with a one-size-fits-all program. Communities already have trusted leaders, organizations, gathering places, relationships, ideas, and expertise. Literacy Zones connect those assets with each other, literacy resources, investment, and technical support.

Our goal: every part of the 901 is a Literacy Zone.

Literacy Anchors

Trusted places where literacy can happen and resources can reach people.

Examples:
Libraries • schools • churches • community centers • clinics • businesses

Literacy Mid-South

The connector and capacity-builder behind them.

Examples:
Resources • expertise • investment • relationships • coordination

What is a literacy zone?

A zone is a recognizable community in Memphis and Shelby County—a neighborhood, town, or other place where people share community life.

Community Literacy Champions

People who use the work they already lead to strengthen literacy.

Examples:
Faith leaders • educators • healthcare leaders • neighborhood leaders • childcare providers • workforce leaders • public officials

Four ways we build literacy together

📖

Literacy Intervention

Providing high-quality literacy support when people need it.

  • Elementary tutoring

  • Out-of-school tutoring

  • Adult foundational education

  • English-language learning

🌎

Literacy Everywhere

Making books, language, and learning part of everyday community life.

  • Book distribution

  • Summer Lit Bags

  • Book vending machines

  • Pinwheel Playrooms

  • Lit Spots/community print

  • Storybook trails

🛠️

Literacy
Building

Helping community organizations become stronger literacy builders.

  • Educator resources

  • Training and coaching

  • Family literacy workshops

  • Assessment tools

  • Grant support

  • Direct investment

🤝

Literacy Together

Connecting people and organizations so literacy work adds up to something bigger.

  • Early Literacy Consortium

  • OST Literacy Network

  • N-ABLE

  • Read901

  • Cross-sector connections and resource alignment

Literacy can happen anywhere.

  • At the laundromat

  • At the community center

  • At the OST program

  • At the workplace

  • At the community festival

  • With English language learners