slide show on a proposed adult program in my community.

1. Adult Development Program:
BookWorms Literary Group
Proposed by
Tiffany Simmons

2. Overview of the Program
• Currently, no literary group exists in the
Lexington, KY area-not one that meets on a
regular basis.
• Most literacy groups operate around a specific
theme or conference and are not regular groups.
• Objective is to attract avid readers who are
seeking a regular outlet for their interest.

3. Historical Context
• As early as 1926, Book of the Month Clubs and
literary guilds formed to provide exposure by
educated adults to the professional world
(Stubblefield & Keane, 1994).
• People wanted to know about the world around
them, and radio, television, and books filled that
need. Even today, these media types are still
popular for disseminating information.
• The literary group will meet the need to keep
people informed in ways that matter to them.

4. Theories that Support the Program
• Critical theory: the purpose of education is to “effect
radical social change and liberate” (Merriam & Brockett,
2007). Literature is meant to transform, to help readers
discover ways that the status quo has affected them, and
suggest ways to change it. The aim is to include others
who have been marginalized or ignored in the literary
world.
• Constructivism: enables members to construct meaning
and “to make sense of their experience” (Merriam,
Caffarella, & Baumgartner, 2007). Reading and
discussing various literary works enables one the
opportunity to align their knowledge and understandings
with the text and create new knowledge.

5. Components of the Program
• Mission and purpose statements are already in
place. This is important because potential
members want to feel as if they are part of an
organized entity rather than a random “group.”
• The main components of the program are
cultural and social interaction and community
literacy awareness. All activities are geared
toward those thematic thrusts.

6. Implementation
• The timeline to recruit members for the group is 1-3 months
from now. Potential new members will be given a
questionnaire to determine interest and preferences prior to
meeting as a group.
• Approximately one month after all questionnaires are
collected, the first meeting will be held.
• At the initial meeting, mission and purpose of the group will
be communicated, and officers and committees decided.
• Initial reading selection will be confirmed at initial meeting,
and those who want to participate will be asked to have the
selection read and prepare for discussion within 60 days
(exact date to be agreed upon by all participants).
• Programmatic initiatives will also be decided upon.

7. Goals and Outcomes
• Enhanced interest in literature and reading for
pleasure.
• Literacy awareness.
• Evolve into a non-profit organization promoting
literacy.

8. Assessment/Evaluation
• Yearly, the group will be audited to assure compliance
with proper accounting procedures and 501(c)3
regulations.
• Programs evaluated for quality of service, attendance,
and content.
• Officers to be evaluated to determine if they are
performing their responsibilities as stated and expected.
• Program attendees will also be asked to complete
evaluation forms to offer perspectives on programming.
• External groups will be asked to evaluate the group to
assess its reputation in the general community, the
quality of programming, and accessibility of services.

9. Conclusion
• The group has the potential to be a premier
organization in the area.
• Intends to offer an environment of enthusiastic
readers who desire to spread their love of the
written word to others.
• It is hoped that the group experiences success as
a result of its adherence to the mission and
purpose and to its commitment to offer quality
service to the community.

10. References
• Merriam, S. B., Baumgartner, L. M., & Caffarella, R.
S. (2007). Learning in adulthood: a comprehensive
guide (3rd ed.). San Francisco: Wiley.
• Merriam, S. B. & Brockett, R. G. (2007). The
profession and practice of adult education: An
introduction. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
• Stubblefield, H.W. & Keane, P. (1994). Adult
education in the American experience: From the
colonial period to the present. San Francisco, CA:
Jossey-Bass.