Auckland Council Libraries Reading and writing support for adults guide Adapted in accordance with Section 69 of the Copyright Act 1994 by the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind, for the sole use of persons who have a print disability. Omissions All images have been omitted from this e-text copy of the Reading and writing support for adults guide. Any diagrams or images which add additional information to the text have been verbalised. Page 1 of 5 Reading and writing support for adults This is a guide for adults who are new to reading or adults who would like to practise and improve their reading and writing skills. We have gathered helpful resources that work for many different learning styles and levels of ability. Auckland Libraries can help you: • Find reading, writing and literacy classes near you • Use free online learning tools • Get a free library membership • Find and borrow free easy-to-read books • Get one-on-one help to suit your needs Follow our guide to see the ways we can help you improve your reading and writing. Tip To borrow library books or log in to our online learning resources, you will need to be an Auckland Libraries member. Joining Auckland Libraries is easy and free! Register online now or visit your local library. Go to https://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/Pages/join-the-library.aspx Page 2 of 5 Sign up for classes Literacy Aotearoa Work on your reading and writing skills in friendly classes run by Literacy Aotearoa. Visit the Literacy Aotearoa website at https://literacy.org.nz/delivery-sites/Upper_North_Island?field_location_value=Greater+Auckland or follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/literacyaotearoanz to find a class close to you. Literacy Waitākere Contact Literacy Waitākere to join a class that fits your learning needs. Visit the Literacy Waitākere website at https://www.literacywaitakere.org.nz/programmes/ or follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/literacywaitakereorg to find a class that suits you. Tip No class in your area? Let us know where you are and how we can help you. Email literacy@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz Page 3 of 5 Practise online These online learning resources are great for practising your reading and writing skills at home and at the library. Pathways Awarua Pathways Awarua offers free and fun online courses for those wanting to improve their reading, writing and maths skills for work and life. Register as a learner at https://pathwaysawarua.com/register/learner Tip When creating your Pathways Awarua learner account, you will be asked to enter a ‘join code’. Click the ‘No join code?’ button and select the option that fits you. • I have left school • I am still at secondary school • I live overseas The correct ‘join code’ will be filled in for you. Page 4 of 5 Easy-to-read books Auckland Libraries has a large collection of interesting fiction (made-up stories) and non-fiction (real-life stories and information) books written in simple English. We have lots of options: • Easy-to-read books for adults • Easy-to-read book sets with CDs • eBooks (digital books) • eAudiobooks (digital books read out loud). We have many easy-to-read books for people who want to practise their reading. These books are written in plain English and feature a range of interesting topics, so you don’t get bored! Many of these books also include CDs so you can listen along as you read. Difficulty levels Our easy-to-read books come in different levels of difficulty. Level 1 (0 - 600 words) These books repeat phrases and words and are designed to help you learn right from the start. Level 2 (600 - 2000 words) These are early chapter books and assist in developing vocabulary and fluency. Level 3 (2000 - 4000 words) These books have more engaging stories and include question and answer sheets to help you to build understanding. Tip Ask a librarian to help you find easy-to-read books in the Adult Readers or Adult Literacy section at your library. To borrow library books, you will need to be an Auckland Libraries member. Joining Auckland Libraries is easy and free! Register online now or visit your local library. Go to https://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/Pages/join-the-library.aspx Search the library catalogue To find easy-to-read books in the library catalogue, go to https://discover.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/iii/encore/search/C__SReaders for new literates__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=def&_ga=2.52560493.476190192.1630361036-1211484915.1630361036 and search for ‘readers for new literates’. Use the 'Refine by' menu on the left-hand side to filter your search results. eBooks Borrow books on your phone, tablet or computer and practise reading wherever you go. Download the Libby app to your device or visit the Overdrive website on your computer to choose from over 200,000 free eBooks. To find easy-to-read eBooks, go to https://auckland.overdrive.com/search?query=adult+literacy and search for ‘adult literacy’. eAudiobooks Listening to books read aloud is a great way to learn a broader range of words. Download the Libby app to your phone or tablet or visit the Overdrive website on your computer and start listening to over 50,000 free eAudiobooks. To search for eAudiobooks, go to https://auckland.overdrive.com/library/audio Tip Use your library card barcode to log in to the Libby app or Overdrive website. All eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines return themselves automatically. Book lists Book lists are lists of books recommended by our librarians. We have lists on many different topics, including easy-to-read books for people who want to practise their reading. Modern day movers and shakers Read the true-life stories of inspirational people from around the world. Go to https://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/pages/book-list.aspx?booklistid=166 Page 5 of 5 Get help We're here to help. Here are some ways you can contact us for more help and guidance. Book a librarian Book a one-on-one help session with a librarian. Some of the things we can help you with include: • learning basic computer skills like using email, Word, social media, and the internet • creating a CV • helping with research or a project • downloading free eBooks through our website • using digital devices such as eReaders and iPads Use our Book a librarian form to book an appointment at a time and library that works for you. Go to https://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/Pages/contact-book-a-librarian.aspx Walk-in help If you need help, our librarians can answer general questions on the spot or help you search for answers. Talk to our friendly staff and ask us for help at the desk in any of our libraries. To find a library, go to https://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/Pages/locations-and-hours.aspx Contact us If you need help but you cannot visit a library, we can help you online or on the phone. Call our Te Māpuna Library Connect team on the phone to speak with trained librarians. You can also send us an email enquiry using our website, and the team will email you back with information and support. Our team can help you use library services, answer general questions, connect you to library locations and provide step-by-step instructions to support you with your needs. To contact us now, call 09 377 0209 or send an enquiry https://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/Pages/contact-general-enquiries.aspx