About WSLI:

Beginning in winter 2006, faculty in National-Louis University's Reading and Language Department began meeting with local literacy educators to identify common needs and interests. As a result of these meetings, one clear emerging issue across districts in the western suburbs was the challenge of an increasingly diverse student population, particularly English language learners. Because of this shared interest, NLU and the Fox Valley Reading Council (FVRC) formed a partnership to explore ways of supporting teachers as they work to develop literacy for all learners. The NLU Library joined the initiative and, because the initial common area identified revolved around English language learners, library staff created a special collection of children's Spanish language and bilingual materials. In the fall of 2008, this partnership inaugurated a one-day institute, followed by a second institute in 2009 at NLU's Lisle campus. The third institute has been scheduled for October 2011 and provides a forum to discuss common issues, research interests and challenges.