International Literacy Day – How has Literacy Empowered You?

September 8th was International Literacy Day. It is a day created by UNESCO to raise awareness about the importance of literacy. For our social media campaign this year we asked everyone to tell us how literacy has empowered them and share with #Powerofwordscle.

To prepare for International Literacy Day, we posted some ways literacy empowers Cuyahoga County Library staff while at the Cleveland Book Week kick off event
Folks from @CuyahogaLib tell us how literacy has empowered them. Share with us how literacy empowers you tomorrow with #Powerofwordsclepic.twitter.com/t2SLJkLUz3https://t.co/t2SLJkLUz3pic.twitter.com/t2SLJkLUz3https://t.co/t2SLJkLUz3pic.twitter.com/t2SLJkLUz3https://t.co/t2SLJkLUz3pic.twitter.com/t2SLJkLUz3

#InternationalLiteracyDay is 9/8. @unesco @literacycoop #powerofwordsCLE https://t.co/0X6R1NVgfB https://t.co/o3F6J2wSI3

Some of our attendees from our #CLEBEE told us how literacy has empowered them in their lives.

@Indians tell how literacy empowers them!!#powerofwordscle https://t.co/qHjl3p7cXs

@Indians tell how literacy empowers them!!#powerofwordsclepic.twitter.com/qHjl3p7cXs

@TriCedu literacy is power. Our students are empowered by literacy every day. #powerofwordscle https://t.co/EfnwGMAoFH

@TriCedu literacy is power. Our students are empowered by literacy every day. #powerofwordscle pic.twitter.com/EfnwGMAoFH
We kicked off the day by sharing how literacy has empowered our staff members.

For our Executive Director, Bob, Literacy has provided him a world of opportunities! #powerofwordsCLE https://t.co/P8FP7UV2kZ

For our Executive Director, Bob, Literacy has provided him a world of opportunities! #powerofwordsCLE pic.twitter.com/P8FP7UV2kZ

Laurie, our Director of Adult Literacy and Career Pathways, shares that literacy has given her opportunity and freedom! #powerofwordsCLE https://t.co/pmbp5tNbpb

Laurie, our Director of Adult Literacy and Career Pathways, shares that literacy has given her opportunity and freedom! #powerofwordsCLEpic.twitter.com/pmbp5tNbpb

Elaine, our program assistant, shares that Literacy has helped her become well-educated! #powerofwordsCLE https://t.co/GrfQb6BrEb

Elaine, our program assistant, shares that Literacy has helped her become well-educated! #powerofwordsCLE pic.twitter.com/GrfQb6BrEb

Joan, our @dollyslibrary coordinator, shares all the wonderful things literacy has done for her! #powerofwordsCLE https://t.co/DfW02HdECX

Joan, our @dollyslibrary coordinator, shares all the wonderful things literacy has done for her! #powerofwordsCLE pic.twitter.com/DfW02HdECX

"How has Literacy empowered you?" - #powerofwordscle @literacycoop https://t.co/TeyRHQr5RX

“How has Literacy empowered you?” – #powerofwordscle @literacycooppic.twitter.com/TeyRHQr5RX
Councilwoman Phyllis Cleveland explained how reading helped her find her voice.
We had mayors take part in the celebration too. Mayor Byrne of Parma Heights shared how he uses his literacy skills throughout his work day. Mayor Clough from Westlake shared why reading is so important and shared the book he is reading.

"As Mayor, I read and write letters, memos, emails, notes, messages and legislation." #powerofwordsCLE #InternationalLiteracyDay #imagine https://t.co/ZN4I8F8hll

“As Mayor, I read and write letters, memos, emails, notes, messages and legislation.” #powerofwordsCLE #InternationalLiteracyDay #imaginepic.twitter.com/ZN4I8F8hll
Cleveland State University President Berkman reminds everyone that reading can be empowering.

On this #InternationalLiteracyDay remember that reading empowers you. #PowerOfWordsCLE https://t.co/FwsokUYDKJ

On this #InternationalLiteracyDay remember that reading empowers you. #PowerOfWordsCLE pic.twitter.com/FwsokUYDKJ
Felton Thomas, Director of the Cleveland Public Library, shared how important libraries are and how they can empower people everyday.

"Public libraries are like universities for the people, empowering people to learn and develop." ~ @feltonian #powerofwordsCLE https://t.co/JGjG1MMfup

“Public libraries are like universities for the people, empowering people to learn and develop.” ~ @feltonian #powerofwordsCLE pic.twitter.com/JGjG1MMfup
Margaret Bernstein, Director of Advocacy/Community for WKYC posted about how her love of books opened up the path for her journalism career.

Let's get LIT, it's #IntlLiteracyDay! Loving books turned me into a good writer which opened door to my journalism career #powerofwordsCLE https://t.co/9n86Z7baw2

Let’s get LIT, it’s #IntlLiteracyDay! Loving books turned me into a good writer which opened door to my journalism career #powerofwordsCLEpic.twitter.com/9n86Z7baw2
Cuyahoga Library posted great pictures all day with some insightful messages along with some awesome ways that literacy has empowered people.

Happy International Literacy Day. How has literacy empowered you? #powerofwordsCLE https://t.co/Z1lpzqnyw1

Happy International Literacy Day. How has literacy empowered you? #powerofwordsCLE pic.twitter.com/Z1lpzqnyw1

A celebration of International Literacy Day! #powerofwordsCLE https://t.co/NB0nQaT2Jf

A celebration of International Literacy Day! #powerofwordsCLEpic.twitter.com/NB0nQaT2Jf

“Art is literacy of the heart.” ― Elliot Eisner #powerofwordsCLE https://t.co/dkYfmhpVHc

“Art is literacy of the heart.” ― Elliot Eisner #powerofwordsCLEpic.twitter.com/dkYfmhpVHc
“When you learn to read you will be born again…and you will never be quite so alone again.” – Rumer Godden @literacycoop #powerofwordsCLE
It’s International Literacy Day! How has literacy empowered you? @literacycoop #powerofwordsCLE
We were glad to have so many of the libraries join us for this important day. Ashtabula Library also joined in and shared the power of reading and books.

Happy International Literacy Day! "Books can bring joy when people cannot." #powerofwordsCLE @AshtabulaLibr https://t.co/fVB5r445h1

Happy International Literacy Day! “Books can bring joy when people cannot.”#powerofwordsCLE @AshtabulaLibr pic.twitter.com/fVB5r445h1

Happy International Literacy Day! "There's no greater happiness than reading." #powerofwordsCLE @AshtabulaLibr https://t.co/hcdh2r3Cyc

Happy International Literacy Day! “There’s no greater happiness than reading.”#powerofwordsCLE @AshtabulaLibr pic.twitter.com/hcdh2r3Cyc

International Literacy Day. "How has Literacy empowered you?" #CLE #powerofwordsCLE #volunteer @literacycoop @litcleveland @ExperienceCorps https://t.co/8d2SRtUqZw

International Literacy Day. “How has Literacy empowered you?” #CLE#powerofwordsCLE #volunteer @literacycoop @litcleveland@ExperienceCorps pic.twitter.com/8d2SRtUqZw
Books at Work always joins us on International Literacy Day. They shared some inspirational books to read along with why literacy is important.

#Literacy empowers staff members at Books@Work to learn, to grow & to see the world in new and powerful ways #powerofwordsCLE https://t.co/K0feIjKSkl

#Literacy empowers staff members at Books@Work to learn, to grow & to see the world in new and powerful ways #powerofwordsCLEpic.twitter.com/K0feIjKSkl
St. Augustine Center helped us spread the message and they also spoke about how literacy inspires them while working with their adult learners.

#PowerOfWordsCLE We feel it everytime we help students reach their goal of earning a GED!! #ThisIsCLE #LiteracyDay #ILD17 @literacycoop https://t.co/wcsGDPjFJ6

#PowerOfWordsCLE We feel it everytime we help students reach their goal of earning a GED!! #ThisIsCLE #LiteracyDay #ILD17 @literacycooppic.twitter.com/wcsGDPjFJ6
We want to thank everyone who took part in this important day with us. We were able to show the city and the world how important literacy and reading are to the people of Cleveland.

Literacy led me to a career where I empower others through literacy #librarian #powerofwordsCLE #internationalLiteracyDay2017 @literacycoop https://t.co/UYryoWcDDY

Literacy led me to a career where I empower others through literacy #librarian#powerofwordsCLE #internationalLiteracyDay2017 @literacycooppic.twitter.com/UYryoWcDDY