Kent District Library is pleased to introduce the SPARK collection, which contains books for adult beginning readers. The collection is available at all 19 KDL branches and the Bookmobile. Each location offers the same assortment of about 90 titles.
The SPARK collection was the result of KDL’s partnership with the Literacy Center of West Michigan. The Adult Tutoring Program is the original program of the Literacy Center and remains the backbone of their work.
Samantha Hodge, Collection Development Librarian at KDL, met with representatives from the Literacy Center to discuss their needs for their tutors, the types of materials they use and the CASAS reading levels, which is how the SPARK collection will be organized. Literacy Center tutors and students and all beginning adult readers can visit any KDL branch to find books compiled for them.
Hodge used a catalog of the Literacy Center’s collection of materials to choose and label books for the SPARK collection.
“Literacy is a foundation for a full adult life, providing not only a connection to the world around us, but also the independence to make our own choices,” said Hodge. “With the SPARK collection, KDL will be a proud partner for adults working to improve their literacy skills and reach incredible goals.”
