Ontario Literacy Coalition (OLC) saw a gap in the history books. There were none written about literacy’s long and varied history.
Beyond the Book: Learning From Our History is Canada’s first documentation of adult literacy as a historical movement. It takes a critical look at literacy from the 19th century and continues its storytelling to include present-day programming in Ontario. It celebrates the past, present and future of lifelong learning.
“Learning from Our History” Book Launch
Ontario Literacy Coalition’s launch of Beyond the Book: Learning From Our History on February 26, 2009 was a huge success.
Ontario Literacy Coalition’s launch of Beyond the Book: Learning From Our History on February 26, 2009 was a huge success.
Over 100 of our partners and friends from across the province, country and beyond, came together to celebrate the past, present and future of lifelong learning. Representatives from local programs, regional networks, the provincial government, provincial literacy streams, provincial coalitions from across Canada, national literacy organizations, private sector partners, and international learning organizations joined the OLC in championing the literacy movement and people in the field.
The Toronto Star covered the literacy celebration as the speakers such as, Dr. Allan Quigley, moved those present with unfolding stories about challenges and champions within our literacy history.
The OLC is interested in continuing this initiative and we would like to encourage you to share your story with the rest of the field, and the world, by emailing your story to olc@on.literacy.ca.
More information can also be found on the OLC blog at www.ontarioliteracycoalition.com.
See the Beyond the Book: Learning From Our History book cover
The OLC’s History
This world of literacy is changing, and so is the OLC. Read about where we came from to more fully understand where we’re going.
Stories from Ontario
Individuals and organizations across Ontario shared their histories with the Ontario Literacy Coalition and we in turn are sharing them with you.
Supporters of Beyond the Book
The OLC wants extends many thanks to our supporters and sponsors of this project:
The OLC wants extends many thanks to our supporters and sponsors of this project:
Dr. Allan Quigley, Canadian Council on Learning’s Adult Learning Knowledge Centre, Teachers’ Life, Toronto Public Library, Leah Morris, Tamara Kaattari, Joseph Howarth, Nomad Design, UofT Print and Events In Sync, Inc.
Immeasurable thanks go to the literacy heroes and heroines whose stories make up Canada’s first documentation of adult literacy as a historical movement, Alternative Learning Styles and Outlooks (ALSO), Betty Butterworth, Centre FORA & Libraries, Service ÉDUC, Deaf Literacy Initiative, Frontier College, La Coalition ontarienne de formation des adultes, Labour Education Centre, Laubach Literacy Ontario (LLO), Lynne Lalonde, Michelle Eady, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE/UT), Ontario Native Literacy Coalition, Parkdale Project, Read, Peterborough Native Learning Program, South Grey Literacy Youth Literacy Council, Toronto Adult Student Association (TASA), Toronto Public Library
Submit Your Organization’s Story
Would you like to share the history of an organization you belong to or are involved with on the OLC’s website? If so, contact olc@on.literacy.ca for more details.
To get started, go to How can I Learn About my own Program? for tips on how to begin the process of discovering your organization’s history.
