If you’re reading this, chances are you take reading for granted, but according to statistics from the National Assessment of Adult Literacy, 47 percent of adults in Duval County read at or below the 10th-grade level. That’s almost half the adult population.
Based on the same study, 21 percent, or more than one adult in five, has a literacy proficiency level at or below the fourth-grade benchmark.
Improving the reading ability of Duval County’s citizens is one of the goals for the Jacksonville Public Library’s Center for Adult Learning.
Located near the Main Street entrance at the Main Library, the center offers educational opportunities in reading, mathematics and life skills, including filling out a job application and completing a voting ballot.
The center also is the headquarters for Learn to Read Inc., a private 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides, free of charge, literacy tutoring to more than 500 people each year.
The public library, Learn to Read, the Women’s Center of Jacksonville and the Clay County Literacy Coalition have partnered to form the Literacy Council of Jacksonville.
It exists to foster communication, cooperation and coordination among agencies and individuals who are committed to improving literacy in the community.
The council is conducting a limerick-writing contest to raise funds to support its work and the public is invited to contribute its rhyming talent — and a few dollars — to help support improving literacy.
“The Literacy Council isn’t a line item in any budget, so whatever funds we can raise will be a plus,” said Sharon Jaskula, the library’s literacy program manager and co-chair of the Literacy Council.
If you’re not sure of the format for a limerick, study the example in the box that was penned by Jaskula or visit poetryteachers.com/poetclass/lessons/limerick.html.
“The purpose of the contest is to raise the community’s awareness of adult literacy programs,” said Lelia Duncan, who becomes president and CEO of Community Connections on Monday and is co-chair of the Literacy Council.
The rules are simple. The limerick has to include a reference to Jacksonville and all submissions have to be “squeaky clean.”
The submissions will be evaluated by a panel of judges from the Literacy Council and the writer of the limerick selected as the best will receive a $100 gift certificate donated by Culhane’s Irish Pub in Atlantic Beach.
The grand prize limerick and the runners-up will be published in the Financial News & Daily Record.
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‘Limericks for Literacy’ Official Rules
• Limericks submitted must be squeaky clean. They may be mischievous, but not naughty.
• Limericks must in some way include a reference to Jacksonville.
• Entries must be received by 5 p.m. March 12.
• Entry fee is $25 per limerick for individuals, $100 per limerick for corporate entries. Make checks payable to Learn to Read Inc. Proceeds benefit the Literacy Council of Jacksonville.
• Grand Prize is a $100 gift certificate to Culhane’s Irish Pub in Atlantic Beach. The Grand Prize winner and runners-up with be published in the Financial News & Daily Record.
• Mail entries to: Learn to Read Inc., P.O. Box 2178, Jacksonville, FL 32203.
• Email questions to [email protected].