What adult literacy practitioners, librarians, learners and others say about the Vital Link approach

What the tutors said
What the librarians said
What the learners said
What the evaluators said

What the librarians said

• "On my first visit one student said, "I hate books. I'll never read one." On my second, he took two titles. on the library visit he took a Terry Pratchett novel. He didn't get on with it but the library manager sees him in there regularly now." - Librarian
• "In the first group I worked with, we had a lady who read a book, and her daughter read it, and they discussed it together, That was something she'd never done before." Librarian
• The project is an excellent confidence builder, and this will obviously increase the likelihood of sustainability." - Librarian
  
• The library role is to support the tutors. We bring to it our awareness of books and resources, and particular skills such as reader development which the tutors don't have." - Librarian, Essex
• "The project has opened a lot of doors with the college and we now have a much more fluid exchange of ideas." - Librarian

What the tutors said

• Prior to this project we hadn't really had that much contact with the college, and we'd always felt that we were sort of in competition with them." - Librarian
• "I couldn't believe the change in the group. Before the visit to the library they were very shy and would not even speak to other teachers. Now, they seem more confident in class to say what they think." - Tutor, Middlesbrough
• "Some of them wouldn't have dreamed of reading a book before. but with this project, their opinions have been respected as readers, and I would say that's been one of the biggest advantages" Tutor
• "All members of the group. are reading more, and reading authors they would ordinarily miss and are benefiting from the experience" Second chance tutor
• "The students didn't think they could learn through reading. It's been a revelation to them that they could enjoy a book and still be learning." - Tutor, Tameside
• "The students said that they now intended to use their local library to develop their reading skills and to find information comnected with their own interests." - Basic skills tutor

• "Libraries are an excellent venue. The group are surrounded by books and PCs - all those resources in a bright and lovely atmosphere." - Basic skills tutor

• Whatever happens, the link between the college and the library will continue." - Basic skills tutor

What the learners said

• "I never imagined I'd learn to love reading so much." - Denise Sopher, Brentwood
• "It's great to have a section in the library where you know the books are easy to read and interesting." - Learner
• "The library's more relaxed now. it's not as stuffy; when I was younger, I always thought it really quiet." Adult learner, Leicestershire
• "I used to get shouted down but now I can stand up for myself. Now I can say, 'I believe it is this way'. I think it gives me confidence all round." - Adult learner, Essex
• "With a book, I think you get in more deeply; you have got your own imagination and I think that is brilliant." - Learner, Derbyshire
• "Just the basic discussions about the books - everyone's different opinions, whether they enjoyed it. I enjoy doing it and I think we wouldn't come back if we didn't enjoy it." - Adult learner, South Tyneside
• "I love the people and I love the staff and I love the library because it's such an interesting place." - Basic skills learner
  
  Got Kids? Get reading! participants
• "My little girl is only three, but if I am sitting reading a book she will pick up one and say, 'I am reading my book'. So it does encourage her to pick up something and have a look - copy off mummy." - Adult learner, South Tyneside
• "I've never once heard them say, 'I don't want a book'. I think it's time for them - quality attention. She never refuses to go to bed because she knows she gets time on her own with me for at least 15 minutes reading a story." - Family learning participant, Solihull
• "I never thought that sitting and reading a book to my child - and helping them to learn to enjoy reading just for pleasure could help them read" Learner

What the evaluators said

• "Taking part in The Vital Link library partnership programme improved learners' reading confidence and motivated them to read more. Students demonstrated improved concentration, better self-expression and higher literacy skills after taking part." - Vital Link evaluation, Morris, Hargreaves, McIntyre, 2005.
• "Prior to The Vital Link, there appeared to be an obvious relationship between public libraries and the adult Basic Skills sector, but this had not been practicably demonstrated. This initiative explored ways in which this relationship could become more tangible, investigating ways in which staff from both sectors could work together with a common aim. In doing so, considerable progress was made in beginning to reach the target group, and a significant body of transferable knowledge acquired." - Vital Link pilot evaluation, Sheffield University, 2002