Mayor, Free Library Revamp Commission on Literacy

The city of Philadelphia has launched a new literacy agenda, focusing on adult literacy.

KYW'S Karin Phillips reports more than half of the adults in Philadelphia can't read or write.

"Fifty-two percent of the adult population are functionally illiterate, can't fill out a job application, that sort of thing."

Shioban Reardon, president of the Free Library of Philadelphia, has joined with Mayor Michael Nutter in revamping the Mayor's Commission on Literacy with a goal to move all Philadelphians beyond functional literacy and give them the workforce skills they need:

"The issue is profound and very basic. So we really are beginning at a very functional and fundamental level, just getting people to have the skill sets to apply for a job, get a job and become financially successful."

New members of the commission were sworn in last week and the search is on for a new executive director.