Celebrating International Literacy Day and Championing Digital Literacy

On September 8, The Literacy Cooperative proudly recognized International Literacy Day (ILD), a global celebration since 1967 that highlights literacy as a fundamental human right. This year’s theme, “Promoting literacy in the digital era,” served as a powerful reminder of the challenges and opportunities we face in a rapidly evolving world.

In Cuyahoga County, the need for literacy remains critical. With 56% of kindergartners not on track to read at grade level and 54% of adults lacking proficient literacy skills, ILD is a call to action. It underscores our mission to advance the literacy agenda and build a more literate and sustainable society for everyone.

The digital age offers new avenues for learning, but it also presents new challenges. While digital tools can help expand opportunities for marginalized groups, there’s a risk of creating a “digital divide” where those without basic literacy skills are further excluded. Our campaign focused on providing trustworthy digital literacy resources to the community, helping people navigate this complex landscape safely and effectively.

For over a decade, The Literacy Cooperative has brought together community organizations and stakeholders to maximize shared outcomes and help learners lift themselves out of poverty. We believe that literacy provides the opportunity for equality, inclusion, and advancement for all.

We are incredibly grateful to our community for sharing our messages and helping us bring awareness to this vital issue. While ILD is a great platform to shine a spotlight on literacy, we encourage everyone to continue this important work every day.