At the library in Hilversum they often have to deal with low literacy at the desk. And that’s a big problem, they see. Dorinde Witsel: “For example, if you cannot read the package leaflet of medicines, it can be bad for your health.”
“We recently had a truck driver at the counter. Great job, he earns his own living,” says Dorinde Witsel of the Hilversum Library. “Only society changes and he can no longer read his own tachograph. That was always easy, but now he might lose his job because he can’t read and write well.”
It’s just one example and there are many. “Here in the library you can ask all kinds of language questions. We then look at how we can best help someone,” says Dorinde. “Sometimes this is individually with a buddy and sometimes it is in a group, at a language table. Or we refer someone to an educational institution.”
In Hilversum, the percentage of low literacy is high, above the national average. “People often think that things are not too bad in ‘t Gooi and that low literacy is a problem in the large cities. It is also a factor there, of course, but we can’t ignore it here either,” says Dorinde.
The library helps with questions about digital matters and complicated letters from the tax authorities – NH Nieuws
Not being able to read and write well has a major impact on a person’s well-being, says Dorinde. “It limits your life and your opportunities. I’m not saying that people with low language skills do nothing or get nowhere, but you miss a whole package that you can’t participate in.”
In addition, low language skills also entail risks. “If you are prescribed suppositories, but you can’t read the package insert, you swallow them. Then the pills don’t work and your health deteriorates,” says Dorinde. “Or you can’t read in the supermarket which ingredients are in a product. In short: you are behind on everything.
Do you want to test your literacy skills?
? Tonight the Groot Goois Dictee will start at 20.00 pm led by NOS news reader Jeroen Tjepkema, from the town hall of Hilversum. Follow live via our site and on television.
extra hands
And why does the library see it as its task to tackle the problem of low literacy? “Language and libraries have always been linked, but this is about more than just books. The purpose of the library is to make people wiser, to help people move forward in life, to provide knowledge. And that starts with language. Dorinda says.
But the library cannot do this alone. “We would like to contribute to the solution, but we need others to do so. The municipality, the national government, other organizations. And even if we had a large sum of money and a lot of extra hands, the problem of low literacy is not solved in the short term. This takes a long breath.”
Low literacy is a problem of society as a whole
However, it is important to act now. “We are all devastated by low literacy. People who cannot read and write more often have benefits or high medical costs, which puts a strain on society,” says Dorinde. “We all have to tackle that problem together. So if you don’t do it for someone else, then do it very raunchy for yourself.”
The door to the library is therefore wide open for anyone who struggles with the Dutch language. “And we don’t expect anyone to read entire novels in their spare time,” Dorinde says. “It’s about functional literacy. That you can read the train times app, pay your fine yourself or apply for a passport without help.”