‘Anything but Reading’ lecture by Dr. Stephen Krashen

What: Literacy empowerment lecture 

Where: Katzer Room 347 Hinds Hall 

When: 4:30 p.m. September 27 and 12:00 p.m. September 28

How much: Free

Stephen Krashen, a linguist, education researcher and activist, will speak at Syracuse University on Monday about how the only way to improve reading skills is to do the obvious — read.

‘Dr. Krashen will share his views on literacy, libraries, reading development and education,’ said Ruth Small, the founding director of the Center for Digital Literacy, in an e-mail. ‘Students will hear from a staunch and outspoken advocate of libraries and librarians in a time when these are being cut.’

Krashen, professor emeritus at the Rossier School of Education’s language and learning department at the University of Southern California, will give an address titled ‘Anything but Reading’ at 4:30 p.m. in Katzer Room 347 Hinds Hall as the Center for Digital Literacy’s annual Distinguished Lecture. 

Krashen has published more than 350 papers and books on various themes, such as bilingual education and the importance of reading. Small invited him to speak at SU because she said she is an admirer of his work.

‘I am very pleased that he will spend this time on our campus,’ she said.

In addition to Monday’s lecture, Krashen will give a speech Tuesday as part of the School of Information Studies’ Brown Bag Lecture Series. Krashen’s second speech will touch on four topics: can reading decrease dementia in older people; are readers boring people; should children be rewarded for reading; and what is the current state of education in the United States?

Small said Krashen’s research focuses on how librarians have a large role in developing children.

‘The recent cutting of librarians, libraries and library programs presents a serious threat to the quality of education for our children,’ Small said. ‘My own research and that of many others provide evidence of the critical role of libraries and librarians in K-12 student learning, particularly in the area of reading development and literacy.’

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