How can you help library users with limited literacy skills find resources more easily?

1 Plain language

Plain language is a way of writing and speaking that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. It avoids jargon, acronyms, and complex sentences, and uses familiar words and examples. Plain language helps users with limited literacy skills to comprehend your messages and instructions, and to feel more confident and comfortable in your library. You can use plain language in your signs, labels, brochures, websites, catalogs, and any other communication materials. To check if your language is plain enough, you can use online tools such as Hemingway Editor or Readable.

2 Clear design

Clear design is a way of organizing and presenting your information that is visually appealing and easy to follow. It uses elements such as headings, fonts, colors, icons, images, and white space to create contrast, hierarchy, and harmony. Clear design helps users with limited literacy skills to scan and navigate your resources, and to find what they are looking for quickly and efficiently. You can use clear design in your physical and digital spaces, such as your shelves, displays, posters, screens, and menus. To improve your design, you can use principles such as simplicity, consistency, alignment, and proximity.

4 How to implement these strategies

Implementing these strategies may seem daunting, but you don't have to do it all at once. You can start by identifying the most common and urgent needs of your users with limited literacy skills, and prioritizing the areas where you can make the most impact. You can also collaborate with other library staff, volunteers, or partners who have expertise or experience in these areas. And you can always evaluate and improve your efforts by collecting data, testing your solutions, and listening to your users.

5 How to promote these strategies

Promoting these strategies is important to raise awareness and encourage participation among your users with limited literacy skills. You can use various channels and methods to communicate the benefits and features of your resources, such as word-of-mouth, social media, newsletters, flyers, or events. You can also use incentives and rewards to motivate your users, such as prizes, certificates, or badges. And you can use testimonials and stories to showcase your success and inspire your users.