Several First Book Campus Advisory Boards are participating in National Literacy Action Week (NLAW) this week. SCALE, the sponsor of NLAW, wrote the following in recognition of Carrie Hovland as an outstanding leader in NLAW activities.

Carrie Hovland

Carrie Hovland is the service-learning coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Fond du Lac and the chair of the First Book-UW-Fond du Lac Advisory Board. Ms. Hovland’s careful planning of innovative literacy action for NLAW warrants her recognition as an NLAW leader.

With Ms. Hovland’s leadership, the First Book-UW-Fond du Lac Advisory Board has planned excellent NLAW activities. The campus group is working this week with students at a local elementary school to create an interactive traveling literacy trunk. The group is also sponsoring two mini-conferences focusing on literacy issues.

When asked Carrie about her interest in literacy and NLAW. Ms. Hovland noted, “Literacy has always been something important to me… I gained a great appreciation for what it means to be able to read (literate) and the difficulties that can be faced as a result of not being able to. I personally feel that access to books (literacy) early on in life is a fundamental principle and that the need for organizations such as First Book or action focused weeks such as NLAW is a key point to making this happen.” Her words certainly speak to the importance of literacy skills!

When asked about the importance and impact of NLAW, Carrie Hovland said, “Providing information and ways to become involved during NLAW is a way for students, faculty and community members to become more aware of the needs of Fond du Lac, and become engaged in meeting and understanding that need.”

Carrie Hovland, thanks for the great work. You are an inspiring NLAW leader!