Laubach Literacy International Papers, Books, and Audio Tapes

Frank C. Laubach and New Readers Press

The Adult Education History Project

Based on Information in the Syracuse University Library Archives

Translated for the WWW by Roger Hiemstra

Frank C. Laubach

"Frank C. Laubach was a missionary, an educator, a literacy

pioneer and a prolific writer. In addition to instructional

materials his books covered a variety of interests - the countries

in which he worked, prayer and spiritual life,

challenges to world literacy and the provision of international

technical assistance. They also reflect a vision of the world -

what it is and what it could become through the commitment of

caring people." 1

Dr. Laubach's "each one teach one" philosophy was an

outgrowth of an experience in the Philippines, where native

volunteers taught others to read. During World War II he helped

found Lit-Lit, the Committee on World Literacy and Christian

Literature (now Intermedia) of the National Council of Churches. In

1951, to facilitate cooperation with government and secular

organizations, Dr. Laubach started World Literacy, Inc. (now World

Education). Following his retirement in 1954, Dr. Laubach founded

Laubach Literacy International.

Dr. Laubach recognized literacy as a "first step toward

ending the suffering and exploitation of the world's disadvantaged.

Dr. Laubach and his associates have developed literacy materials in

103 countries and 312 languages." 2 On the 100th anniversary of

his birth the United States Postal Service honored Dr. Laubach with

the issue of a commemorative stamp in the Great Americans series.

1. Frank C. Laubach. Laubach Literacy International, Syracuse,

New York. [brochure]

2. Ibid.

Laubach Literacy International

Laubach Literacy International (LLI) was founded in 1955 by Dr.

Frank C. Laubach to help address the world-wide problem of

illiteracy. Dr. Laubach believed that literacy is the "first step

toward ending the suffering and exploitation of the world's

disadvantaged people." The mission of Laubach Literacy

International as stated in the 1989 annual report is "to enable

illiterate adults and older youths to acquire the listening,

speaking, reading, writing and mathematics skills they need to

solve the problems they encounter in daily life; to take full

advantage of opportunities in their environment; and to fully

participate in the transformation of their society." LLI carries

out its literacy mission both in the United States, through the

National Affiliation for Literacy Advance (NALA 1968-1982, now

Laubach Literacy Action), and in foreign countries, through the

International Programs.

National Affiliation for Literacy Advance (NALA) was founded in

1968 to extend the work begun by Dr. Frank Laubach within the

United States and Canada. NALA filled several roles including:

1. Serving as a channel of communication for individuals

within the field of literacy education.

2. Offering workshops to train both professional and

volunteer tutors to:

a) Teach reading and writing skills to native speakers of

English (NSE).

b) Teach English conversation, reading and writing skills

to uneducated speakers of other languages.

c) Write high interest simplified reading materials for

both youths and adults.

3. Aiding in the development and acquisition of material

required to fill specific local needs.

4. Providing guidance on establishing literacy programs in

areas of administration, finance and recruitment of

students and tutors.

New Readers Press (NRP), the publishing division of LLI, assists in

the development of materials used by NALA in the teaching of new

readers. NRP is responsible for Be Informed, Laubach Way to

English, and New Streamlined English, series used in the

instruction of those wishing to become literate. New For You is a

newspaper published for new readers containing easy to read

articles on news of the day. Other publications geared toward new

readers include a wide range of practical and interesting

information.

The International Program of Laubach Literacy International was an

outgrowth of the work carried out by Dr. Frank Laubach between 1937

and 1954. During that period he gave technical assistance in

establishing literacy programs throughout the world. With the

founding of LLI in 1955, a channel was made available for promoting

the opportunity for literacy throughout the world.

"Laubach Literacy International's commitment to the advancement of

literacy presupposes a belief in the power of the word- spoken,

heard, written and read" (1986 Annual Report). The International

Program stresses four areas in the carrying out of their mission:

1. Materials Development: Literacy primers to be used by

volunteer tutors are written, field tested, published and

distributed. Follow-up readers are published for use by

new readers.

2. Training: Training workshops are made available to

volunteer and professional literacy writers, tutors and

program organizers. Emphasis is placed on recruiting,

training, and supporting tutors from the indigenous

population.

3. Technical Assistance: Once a program is established LLI

provides consulting services in the areas of program

organization, administration, promotion, and evaluation.

4. Financial Assistance: The cost of "each one teach one"

programs is shared by the host country and LLI. The host

supplies volunteers, facilities for teaching and storage

of materials, paid personnel and monetary gifts. LLI

provides funds to subsidize publications and to support

full-time program organizers, writers and tutor trainers.

If there is a pre-existing literacy organization LLI will not

create a new organization requiring financial support. Through the

years the "each one teach one" method of teaching reading has been

used in 103 countries and in over 300 languages.

The Laubach Collection - Arrangement

The material processed in 1989 is an addition to the Laubach

Collection: Consisting of The Personal Papers of Frank C. Laubach

and the Organizational Documents of Laubach Literacy International.

The material is primarily files of individuals who served in

various capacities within Laubach Literacy International as well as

files of the administrative divisions of LLI. Each individual or

administrative division is treated as a sub-unit within the Laubach

Collection.

Sub-unit headings are:

General Files

Robert F. Caswell

Priscilla Gipson

Koinonia

Effa S. Laubach

Frank C. Laubach

Robert S. Laubach

National Affiliation for Literacy Advance (NALA)

New Readers Press

Newsletters

Edward H. Pitts

Primers

Trustees, Board of

*** There is much overlapping of material among the sub-units and

pertinent information on a subject may be found in more than

one category.

The collection also includes photographs, various audio-visual

resources, material from various scrap books, two reading machines

and a "tin trunk" library.

General Files: Material relating to various aspects of LLI

including: Programs, International; David E. Mason; Financial;

Minnie Schultz's manuscript describing the origin of "each one

teach one"; Margaret Strawbridge's files on World Literacy and

Christian Literature; and files donated by Linda and Harold McNeal,

including correspondence with Norman Friberg and Dr. Frank C.

Laubach (1965-1969), containing information on literacy and related

programs.

Robert F. Caswell: As administrator of International Programs for

Laubach Literacy International, Robert Caswell's files contain

primarily correspondence, information files, and reports related to

International Programs. The material is primarily in English,

however files relating to Mexico and Colombia include material in

Spanish and files on Brazil include material in Portuguese.

Alphabetically arranged, the inclusive dates of Caswell's files are

1970-1979.

Correspondence: Documents the development of the foreign

literacy programs and the difficulties encountered

establishing programs in other countries.

General files: Information on such topics as committees,

conferences, NALA, newsletters, and grant proposals.

General Files - Information Files: General information on

continents and countries of the world. Names for countries

are the recognized names prior to 1980.

Programs International - Information Files: Information on

LLI programs overseas. Programs included are:

Afghanistan

Colombia

East Pakistan

India, Bengal and Kathicappally

Kenya

Mexico - ALMAC

Panama

Ramallah on the west bank of the Jordan River

(found under both Israel and Jordan)

Reports: Included are both annual reports of the above

international programs and reports from Laubach-assisted

programs in Brazil, Ecuador and South Africa.

Priscilla Gipson: Priscilla Gipson served as Executive Director of

the National Affiliation for Literacy Advance (NALA). Her files

cover the activities of NALA, the branch of LLI responsible for

literacy programs in the United States. Much of the material deals

with the training of tutors in the teaching of English as either

the primary language or as a secondary language to speakers of

other languages. Also included is information on organizing school

tutors, outlining workshop organization, and LWE/ESOL training, in

addition to student interviews and tutor questionnaires from 1970.

The inclusive dates of the material are 1966-1983, the bulk dates

1971-1977.

Koinonia: Financial reports, the December 1959 issue of Koinonia

Magazine, and information on the Board of Trustees.

Effa S. Laubach: Notices printed upon her death in 1973.

Frank C. Laubach: Information relating to Dr. Laubach, including

biographical material, bibliographies, correspondence, including

copies of letters exchanged with President Dwight David Eisenhower

(1953-1964), obituaries (1970), and writings, including a draft of

"Thirty Years With the Silent Billion," "The Story of Jesus," and

several pieces on phonetic spelling. Inclusive dates are 1943-1971,

bulk dates 1960-1970.

Additional information on Dr. and Mrs. (Effa) Frank C. Laubach and

Laubach Literacy International may be found by consulting the

finding aid to the original receipt, "The Laubach Collection:

Consisting of the Personal Papers of Frank C. Laubach and the

Organizational Documents of Laubach Literacy, Inc." compiled by

Deborah R. Chmaj and Menbere Wolde. (Syracuse University Libraries,

Syracuse, New York, 1974).

Robert S. Laubach: Correspondence and Literacy Journalism Papers

comprise the bulk of the Robert Laubach files.

Correspondence, both incoming and outgoing, which is not

filed under an individual's name is filed chronologically by

date. Correspondence, both incoming and outgoing, which is

filed under an individual or organization name is arranged

alphabetically. Memos are filed chronologically.

Correspondence refers to committee business and the Frank C.

Laubach Memorial Fund, and includes requests to various

charitable organizations and foundations regarding funding,

letters to Reader's Digest (1976-1977), and exchanges with

members of the Board of Trustees.

Literacy Journalism Papers constitute seven boxes (3.5

linear ft.) of material. The papers are from courses in

literacy journalism taught by Dr. Robert Laubach in the

School of Journalism at Syracuse University, Syracuse, New

York (1951-1981). Arranged alphabetically by author, paper

topics cover literacy issues in foreign countries (Asia,

Africa and South America); literacy and illiteracy in the

United States; Laubach Literacy in the United States; and

writing for new readers, and for religious magazines.

Included under Literacy Journalism Papers are student book

reports, literacy bibliographies, and a list of periodicals

in the field of literacy.

National Affiliation for Literacy Advance (NALA): NALA was the

organ Laubach Literacy used "to promote and coordinate volunteer

adult literacy programs throughout the United States and Canada"

(from "NALA The National Affiliation for Literacy Advance 1978-

1979" brochure). In 1982 the name was changed to Laubach Literacy

Action. The material contained in these files relates to the

activities involved in support of the teaching of illiterates.

Files relating to NALA include the following:

Committees - alphabetical arrangement by committee name.

Correspondence

Council Bulletins (from many states)

Metro Projects

Newsletters - local literacy projects

Regions - correspondence and information relating to the

geographical regions covered by NALA. The filing order is

alphabetical.

NALA files also appear in other sub-units of the collection.

New Readers Press: New Readers Press (NRP) is the publishing

division of Laubach Literacy International. "NRP produces teaching

and tutor-training materials incorporating volunteer field

experience" (from "Laubach Literacy Action" brochure). Material in

the collection includes:

Catalogs

Be Informed Series covers subjects such as establishing

credit, buying a car or house, and preparing for marriage.

New Streamlined English, and English the New Way are series

explaining how to teach reading using the Laubach Method.

Other publications geared for the new reader cover topics such as

alcohol, drugs, first aid, health, historical figures such as

Martin Luther King, and how to use the telephone.

Individual publications are listed first in alphabetical order,

followed by various series filed alphabetically under series title,

then by individual title within each series.

Newsletters: Newsletters from various international literacy

programs, arranged alphabetically by title. Included are:

Adult Literacy News Bulletin (India, Burma, Ceylon 1949-1956)

Epistle to the Koinonians (1957-1976)

Lit-Lit (1957-1966)

World Literacy and Christian Literature (1947-1956)

Edward H. Pitts: Edward Pitts served as Managing Director of LLI.

His files contain the following:

Correspondence: General correspondence is filed

chronologically by date; some individual and organization

correspondence is filed alphabetically by last name of

individual or organization title.

Financial: Records dealing with budget development.

Goals and Objectives: Filed alphabetically under names of

individuals.

Programs International

Trustees, Board of

Primers: English and foreign language, in 4 boxes (2 linear ft.).

Primers in English include the following series:

American Red Cross/Foundation for World Literacy

Department of Interior. Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Branch of Education

English Simplified

Intermountain Indian School

Titles are filed alphabetically within each series. Foreign

language primers include Arabic, Spanish, and Swahili arranged in

alphabetical order within langauge. Thirty-two (32) primers in Urdu

are also included.

Trustees, Board of: Material on the Board of Trustees relates

primarily to meetings held during 1960 through 1972 and 1977

through 1979. There is also some information on individual

trustees: Thomas Carruth, Freeda H. Jones, May McMillan, and Ethel

Scholfield. Information on meetings is arranged chronologically and

all other material alphabetically.

*Memorabilia: Boxes 425-429 contain material which pertains to

various sub-units as well as a few items which do not relate to any

particular sub-unit. This material has been placed in larger, but

not oversized, containers, and has been selectively cross-

referenced.

Photographs: The photographs in the collection fall into two

primary categories: people and places. People include Frank C.

Laubach, Robert S. Laubach, Laubach personnel, and members of the

Board of Trustees; places include continents and countries

associated with Laubach Literacy International. The arrangement of

the photographs is alphabetical with individuals before

geographical divisions.

Audio-Visual Material: Audio-visual resources include: audio tapes,

slide-tape programs, video tapes, filmstrips, slides, and motion

pictures (films). The material is arranged chronologically within

each medium if a date is available. Titles are used when supplied,

however the collection includes items which have no information

about date or content.

SELECTED INDEX TO CORRESPONDENCE

Frank C. Laubach Nobel Peace Prize Nomination File (Box 369)

Brown, Edmund G. Mink, Patsy T.

6 Oct. 1965 22 Sep. 1965

Buck, Pearl Morse, Wayne

11 Jan. 1965 28 June 1965

Cousins, Norman Pauling, Linus

4 Nov. 1965 5 Jan. 1965

Kennedy, Bishop Gerald Schriver, Sargent

30 Sep. 1965 13 Jan. 1965

Malik, Charles Thomas, Lowell

27 Dec. 1967 27 Sep. 1965

Marcos, Ferdinand E. Thomas, Norman

5 Dec. 1965 22 Sep. 1965

Frank C. Laubach Birthdays File (Box 368)

Humphrey, Hubert H.

8 Feb. 1965

Rockefeller, Nelson

26 July 1969

Romney, George

n.d.

Frank C. Laubach Correspondence 1953-1969 (Box 368)

Bowles, Chester

11 Aug. 1955

21 Mar. 1961

5 May 1961

30 Jan. 1962

Dulles, John Foster

20 May 1953

12 July 1955

Graham, Billy

5 Jan. 1955

Hagerty, James

13 Apr. 1956

Hays, Brooks

28 Apr. 1956

Humphrey, Hubert H.

5 Aug. 1958

16 Feb. 1960

3 Mar. 1960

25 Apr. 1962

9 Feb. 1965

31 Aug. 1966

16 Mar. 1967

27 Mar. 1968

4 Oct. 1968

SELECTED INDEX TO CORRESPONDENCE

Frank C. Laubach Correspondence 1953-1969 (Box 368) (continued)

Johnson, Lyndon

13 Nov. 1964

Kefauver, Estes

25 Jan. 1955

12 Sep. 1961

Kennedy, Robert F.

21 Oct. 1966

Kennedy, John F.

30 July 1962

9 Apr. 1963

Kuhlman, Kathryn

8 Dec. 1957

Lombardi, Tarky Jr.

30 Dec. 1969

Murrow, Edward R.

5 Sep. 1958

23 Mar. 1959

27 Feb. 1961

Nixon, Pat

20 Oct. 1969

Peale, Norman Vincent

21 June 1955

Peale, Ruth S.

12 Nov. 1962

Reedy, George E.

9 June 1962

Rockefeller, Nelson A.

10 Feb. 1955

31 Oct. 1962

Roosevelt, Eleanor

6 June 1954

Roosevelt, James

7 Feb. 1955

Schriver, Sargent

19 May 1964

Sockman, Ralph W.

9 Mar. 1962

Sorensen, T. C.

14 Jan. 1955

Stassen, Harold

13 June 1955

29 Apr. 1957

Tolley, William

20 Mar. 1961

20 Mar. 1962

Truman, Harry S.

30 July 1955

Van Dusen, Henry P.

12 June 1956

20 May 1957

SELECTED INDEX TO CORRESPONDENCE

Robert S. Laubach Correspondence (Boxes 372, 373, 376, 377)

Blair, Frank

30 Mar. 1971

Cousins, Norman

7 Sep. 1976

Furness, Betty

12 Jan. 1976

Luce, Henry

19 Sep. 1971

Peale, Norman Vincent

11 Feb. 1971

25 Feb. 1971

9 Mar. 1971

7 May 1971

19 May 1971

30 Sep. 1971

Thomas, Lowell

8 Feb. 1971

6 Mar. 1976

Memorial Fund Correspondence (Box 379)

Roberts, Oral

4 Feb. 1971

Thomas, Lowell

9 Dec. 1970

ACRONYMS USED IN THE LAUBACH COLLECTION

ABE - Adult Basic Education

ACVFA - Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid

AID - Agency for International Development

ALFALIT - Alfabetizaction Literatura

ALMAC - Alphabet Laubach Mexicana A.C.

ALOR - Adult Literacy Organization of Rhodesia

BILCA - Biblioteca interamercana de lectura complementaria para

adultos

CFO - Camp Farthest Out

DEMIDAL - Departamento Missionario de Alfabetizacao

EOTO - Each One Teach One

EDP - Electronic Data Processing

ESOL - English to Speakers of Other Languages

ESL - English as a Second Language

EVP - Executive Vice President

FAL - Funda de Alphabetizacau Laubach

Fundacion Alfabetizadora Laubach

IAM - International Afghan Mission

IEY - International Education Year

IMPACT - Instruction and Management Practices to Aid Classroom

Teaching

IPPF - International Planned Parenthood Federation

IR (IRs) - International Representative(s)

JAALP - Jerusalem Area Arabic Literacy Program

LCW - Lutheran Church Women

LITINT - Literacy International

ACRONYMS USED IN THE LAUBACH COLLECTION (continued)

LIT-LIT - Committee on World Literacy and Christian Literature

LLET - Laubach Literacy Educational Trust

LLI - Laubach Literacy International

LOVE - Lots of Volunteer Action

LVA - Literacy Volunteers of America

LWE - Laubach Way to English

MAF - Mission Aviation Fellowship

MARC - Missions Advanced Research and Communications Center

NALA - National Affiliation for Literacy Advance

NCVA - National Center for Voluntary Action

NES - New English Streamlined

NSE - New Streamlined English

NFY - News for You (newspaper) or News for You (department)

NOOR - National Organization for Ophthalmic Rehabilitation

NRP - New Readers Press

NSE - Native Speakers of English

New Streamlined English (teaching series)

OAS - Organization of American States

OEF - Overseas Education Fund of the League of Women Voters

OpUpSA - Operation Upgrade of South Africa

PES - Public Education Services

PIP - Public Information and Promotion

PLAL - Programa Laubach para America Latina

PSA - Public Service Announcement

R2R - Right to Read

RTR

ACRONYMS USED IN THE LAUBACH COLLECTION (continued)

SU - Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York

TAICH - Technical Assistance Information Clearing House

TESL - Teaching English as a Second Language

TESOL - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural

Organization

UNICEF - United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund

(International Children's Fund)

VISTA - Volunteer Information Service to America

VITA - Volunteers for International Technical Assistance

LAUBACH COLLECTION

Box 329

General Files

1. Brochures. Laubach Literacy Inc., World

Literacy Evangelism Inc.

2. Financial. Audit Reports. 1957-1963.

3. Goals and Objectives. 1968-1970.

4. Hunger, Hope, Action. Nov. 9-10, 1974.

5. Laubach Literacy Fund. n.d.

6. Laubach Literacy Inc. Long Range Plans. 1967.

7. Laubach Literacy Inc. Southern California.

1965-1966.

8. Literacy. West Pakistan. 1969-1970.

9. Mason, David E. Biographical. 1973.

10. Mason, David E. Correspondence. Idea Sheets. 1965.

11. Mason, David E. Meetings. Wingspread

Conference. April 25-26, 1966.

12. Misc. 1956-1967.

13. New Streamlined English (NSE). Guide

Introduction. n.d.

14. NSE. Prospectus. Word List. Achievement Tests.

1970-1971.

15. NSE. Test Manual. Language and Reading Skills

Presentation. 1970-1971.

16. Newsletters. Laubach Literacy. 1958-1977.

17. Personnel. Loveland. 1971-1972.

18. Planning (chart). 1971.

19. Programs International. Colombia. 1965-1966.

20. Programs International. Guatemala. 1963-1965.

21. Programs International. Mexico. 1966-1967.

22. Programs International. Nigeria. 1964.

23. Programs International. Ramallah (Jordan).

1962-1967.

24. Projects. 1965-1966.

25. Proposals 1968-1969. Budget Data Oct. 1969.

Contract 1970-1971.

26. Reports. Literacy. 1960-1967.

Box 330

General Files (continued)

1. Adult Literacy Conference (students). 1983.

Clark Foundation see: Financial. Grant Proposals.

Edna McConnell Clark. (Box 330)

2. Eberle, Anne and Sandra Robinson. "Illiteracy: the

Learner's Experience." 1980.

3. Financial. Grant Proposals. Edna McConnell Clark.

1975.

4. Financial. Grant Proposals. Edna McConnell Clark.

Jacksonville, Florida. 1970-1977.

5. Hopkins, Maria. Teaching Helps and Reviews. Foreign

born. 1968.

6. India, Karthicappally. Silver anniversary.

(English, Malayalam) 1983.

Box 330 (continued)

General Files (continued)

7. Johnson, Beth. "Vocational Opportunities in the

Literacy Field." 1977.

8. Journalism Internship. Rachel M.L. San Miguel.

1977?

9. Koshy, T.E. "Role of Literacy in the Advancement of

Developing Countries." n.d.

10. Liberia. Postage stamps and literacy. 1950.

11. Literacy Directory. Onondaga County. Nov. 1984.

12. Magsanoc, Maria. "An Organization Image Profile of

Laubach Literacy, Inc. in the Syracuse

Community." (Literacy Journalism Paper) 1973.

13. Management by Objectives Program. 1981.

McNeal, Linda and Harold

14. Correspondence, Minutes. 1961-1972.

15. Friberg, Norman. Afghanistan. c.1967.

16. Laubach, Frank C. Correspondence,

publicity material. 1965-1969.

Box 331

General Files (continued)

McNeal, Linda and Harold (continued)

1. Literacy Information. Founder's Kit -

1962. Education bulletins. 1967-

1968.

2. New Readers, English the New Way. c.1968?

3. Teaching English As a Second Language. n.d.

4. West Suburban Literacy Council, Wayland,

Massachusetts. Membership lists. 1967-

1971.

5. National Ad. Campaign (Literacy). 1984.

6. Organization Chart. July 1985.

7. "Outline of a Plan For a Three Year Literacy-

Literature Program in a Particular Language