We are looking to run a series of Adult courses with a view to aid the increase in literacy levels amongst adults in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. This 6 week course is aimed to increasing confidence, knowledge and a love of books and literacy. Each course runs with 10 participants and is designed to guide them through various aspects of improving literacy using books via their local library and learning to read for pleasure. Each themed week will explore the kinds of books available with readings and activities to support. We will be providing suggested book titles, information on how to use the library to choose books and an opportunity to borrow and try a new book each week. Initial themes cover topics including Reading for fun, Hobbies, Household activities, Action, Health & Wellbeing and Romance. We have chosen these so that we can run the course along the principle of Reading for Pleasure linking in with every day themes, activities and chores that most adults will be able to identify with.

We will be purchasing books and resources to support the weekly themes ensuring there is a sufficient selection of books to allow each participant their choice. Resources will be used exclusively for the courses and they have been specifically chosen to appeal to people with varying levels of literacy, for example using Quick Reads, abridged titles and magazines which are appealing and less intimidating.

We will be working with community partners to identify group participants. Our long term goal is to introduce more adults to the joy of Reading for Pleasure, to engage them to join the library to develop their literacy levels and for them to become more involved in the extended library community, for example joining reading groups and social library groups such as knit and natter.

We plan to continue using and updating the course structure to add in additional themes and by running follow on courses and setting up new groups such as adults with English as a second Language.