When Romy Martin joined Decoda Literacy Solutions for an eight-week summer placement, she arrived ready to learn.

A recent graduate of the University of British Columbia, where she studied English literature, Martin describes herself as “a bit of a sponge for knowledge.” She was looking for practical experience in a community-based organization and an opportunity to learn more about libraries, information management and nonprofit work.

“I was looking into Decoda and the sort of work that they do serving the community, serving the world of literacy and people who have barriers to literacy,” she said. “I thought that was really inspiring.”

Martin hopes eventually to complete a Master of Library and Information Studies and become a librarian. She is particularly interested in community programming, and the role libraries can play in making learning welcoming and accessible.

Her work at Decoda marks an important first step toward that goal. Much of her placement has involved organizing, cataloguing and carefully packing Decoda’s physical library collection as the resources prepare to move to a new home. The detailed, behind-the-scenes work requires patience and care. Clear organization allows the receiving institution to understand the collection and integrate the materials into its own system.

The experience has introduced Martin to information management and the work that keeps library resources useful and accessible.

“This is the first job that I’ve been able to have where I’m specifically getting paid to work in a library setting,” she said.

The placement has also expanded her understanding of literacy. As an English literature graduate and tutor, Martin previously thought about literacy mainly in terms of reading, writing and language. At Decoda, she encountered resources related to mathematics, science, technology, finances and many other parts of everyday life.

“I had, I think, a much narrower view of what literacy was and what it meant to people,” she said.

That in depth understanding helped her recognize that literacy barriers can affect anyone. Managing money, understanding taxes, navigating digital information or building confidence with numbers can all be part of a person’s literacy journey.

Martin also draws inspiration from the people around her. She sees a team supporting one another during a period of change while remaining passionately committed to serving literacy organizations and communities.

Decoda’s collaborative and welcoming environment has strengthened her interest in community and nonprofit work.

“I feel like I’m stepping in the same direction as what’s happening here,” she said.

Although her summer work is brief, Martin hopes her work makes the organization’s transition a little easier. She also hopes to contribute ideas to future programming and initiatives before her summer role ends.

What will she miss most?

“The environment here,” she said. “It’s a very positive environment. It’s doing positive work in the community.”

Martin will leave Decoda with practical experience for her résumé. More importantly, she now has a clear understanding of the work she hopes to pursue and the kind of difference she wants to make.

Martin’s message to the Decoda team centres on gratitude for the opportunity to learn, contribute and become part of an organization whose values feel so closely aligned with her own.

Help inspire the next generation of literacy leaders

Experiences like Martin’s show what happens when community-based organizations welcome young people, give them opportunities to learn and contribute, and help them discover where their passions may lead.

You can help strengthen literacy in British Columbia by sharing Decoda’s work, introducing someone to the many possibilities within the literacy field or supporting programs that connect learners, practitioners and communities.

Follow and share Decoda’s stories, tell a young person about careers in literacy and community service, or donate to help create more opportunities for learning and connection.