Literacy Resources
Literacy skills can be learned and improved at any age! The Vancouver Public Library has a large literacy collection containing physical resources, such as books, CDs, and DVDs, as well as digital resources that can be accessed online with your library card.
Physical Collection
VPL's largest literacy collection is located at the Central Library on Level 4. All other VPL branches also hold literacy materials. The literacy collection can be found under the call number 428.62, and visually identified by the literacy symbol on each item. You can learn with books, CDs, and DVDs.
Materials in the collection cover grammar, reading, writing, spelling, vocabulary, and math. The literacy collection also contains easy to read novels as well as easy reading material in the areas of life skills, job skills, religion, sciences, and social studies. Check out our suggested catalogue searches on the right.
The Westcoast Reader is an easy-to-read monthly English language newspaper for adults. The articles are labelled with Level 1, 2, or 3 book icons. The levels are comparable to Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 2 to 6. Print copies are available for you to take home at VPL branches in the ESL section. There is also an online version.
All of these materials may also be helpful for ESL learners. Readers wanting to improve their literacy skills may also choose books from our ESL Booklists, created by VPL librarians.
Digital Collection
Check out our VPL to Go ebook booklist for reading selections if you are an English-language learner or are looking to improve your English literacy skills. Titles include CELPIP test materials, non-fiction, and fiction.
Adult Literacy Learning Programs Offered by Other Organizations
Not all literacy programs are suitable for ESL learners. Please contact the organization to see if their programs will meet your needs.
Canucks Family Education Centre (CFEC)
A family literacy program that aims to get parents involved in their child’s learning and educational development.
604.713.8266 ext. 7110
jean.cfec@gmail.com
Decoda Community Literacy Directory
The directory contains literacy organizations and Literacy Outreach Coordinators (LOC). Find a literacy coordinator in your neighbourhood. For more information on learning centres and literacy programs in the rest of Metro Vancouver, contact Decoda Literacy Solutions.
604.681.4199
info@decoda.ca
Marpole Literacy Services connects the Marpole community with information and education to build skills for life.
778.668.3634
andreak@mofp.org
Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS)
Community Adult Literacy Program
This program provides free English classes for newcomers, citizens, work permit holders, and refugee claimants aged 19+ and focuses on both foundation and vocational skills.
604.596.7722
United for Literacy (formerly Frontier College)
Offers free literacy and numeracy programs for children, teens, adults, seniors, and families.
information@unitedforliteracy.ca
Vancouver Community College - Basic Education
Basic education courses are designed for learners 16+ who want to improve their reading, writing or math skills from beginner levels to Grade 8. VCC also offers computer literacy classes. To register for basic education, students must be able to understand and speak English comfortably.
604.871.7369
Vancouver School Board Adult Education Centres
The VSB operates three adult education centres. They provide students 16+ with courses from the literacy level to secondary school completion.
Main Street @ Gladstone Education Centre
4105 Gladstone St, Vancouver
604.713.5731
Gathering Place Education Centre
609 Helmcken Street, Vancouver
604.257.3849
South Hill Education Centre
6010 Fraser Street, Vancouver
604.713.5770
Instructors at the WISH Learning Centre are experts in the needs of adult learners who are marginalized. They offer a wide range of activities which offer women and gender diverse people opportunities to:
- Develop their communication skills
- Learn computer skills
- Write letters, journals, and poetry
604.669.9474
info@wishdropincentre.org
VPL Digital Essentials Programs
VPL offers a variety of classes and workshops in our Digital Essentials programs. Learn about computer, internet, mobile device, and web design essentials in our free programs held around the city.