Reading is Power

A LITERACY program that is designed to teach reading skills is now available through Mackay Regional Council’s Library Services.

Mackay Regional Council is one of six local councils in North Queensland that will offer the program, thanks to a $50,000 Expanding Horizons grant from the State Library of Queensland.

Community Services and Facilities portfolio councillor Karen May said the grant would enable each council library to offer a community-based literacy program, using the Reading LINK-Decoding program.

Reading LINK was developed by Dr Carol Christensen, a senior lecturer in the University of Queensland’s School of Education and leading literacy expert.

"Dr Christensen’s distinctive approach is based on the decoding process, where readers turn the letters on the page into spoken language," Cr May said.

"Her program has been shown to significantly accelerate early reading skills. It is also successful with students who have special needs such as dyslexia or learning difficulties."

"Once trained, the participants will be able to assist members of the community who want to improve their literacy."

For information on training and the Reading Link program, please contact council’s Learning and Outreach Librarian Margaret James on 4961 9300.