Local Literacies

David Barton is Professor of Language and Literacy and Director of the Literacy Research Centre at Lancaster University, UK. He is series editor of the Literacies series (Routledge) and author and co-editor of numerous titles including Literacy, Lives and Learning (2007, Routledge). Mary Hamilton is Professor of Adult Learning and Literacy and Associate Director of the Literacy Research Centre at Lancaster University, UK. She is the author of Literacy and the Politics of Representation (forthcoming, Routledge).

• Foreword by David Bloome. Preface. Part I 1. Understanding Literacy as Social Practice 2. Locating Literacies in Time and Space: (1) A history of literacy in Lancaster 3. Locating Literacies in Time and Space: (2) Lancaster Today 4. Ethnography in Practice Part II 5. How They Have Fared in Education: Harry’s Literacy Practices 6. Getting Things Done in the Community: Shirley’s Literacy Practices 7. Living a Local Life: June’s Literacy Practices 8. Leisure and Pleasure: Cliff’s Literacy Practices Part III 9. Everyday Literacies: (1) The Range of Practices 10. Everyday Literacies: (2)the Patterning of Practices 11. Home, Learning and Education 12. The Web of Literacies in Local Organisations 13. Becoming Expert: Literacy and Sense-making 14. Vernacular Literacies 15. Afterword

'Local Literacies presents complex ideas, mixing debates from linguistics, social history and cultural studies; yet it is written with enviable clarity ... Anyone interested in literacy education needs to read this book.' - Jane Mace, South Bank University, UK'A rare achievement. A holistic study of local literacies in one community which is both accessible and engagingly written. A book I would happily recommend to academics, practitioners, parents, teachers, community workers and the general public. Barton and Hamilton raise many questions, move debates about literacy forward, and reveal a broad understanding of the sheer complexity of literacies in ordinary people's lives. A stimulating and respectful book.' - Sarah Padmore, UK'One of the best books on literacy I have read in my career. I can see myself going back to this book again and again, learning more each time I read it ... You can't leave the book without new insights about the nature of literacy in people's lives.' - David Bloome, Vanderbilt University, USAA rich ambitious book that explores insightfully how we govern ways the written and read word works for us. Barton and Hamilton disclose the heart of our vernacular literacies - close up framings of our time, space, relationship and transformational points in our lives.' - Shirley Brice Heath, Stanford University, USA