The statistics on literacy in our community are frightening: 46% of Hispanic adults and 25% of African-American adults lack basic proficiency in reading.

Project Library is trying to change that.

If you can't read, you can't fill out a job application, read the instructions on how much medicine to give your child or know the terms of the loan you're signing. Illiterate parents raise illiterate children. Children who don't read well face difficulties in and out of school. Illiteracy can also be a contributing factor towards homelessness and preventable illness.

Learning doesn't stop with reading and writing. We need to develop literacy and basic life skills to allow someone to be physically and mentally healthy, literate and employable. We need your help to do that.

Project Library is a program of the Morin Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. In the Greater Boston area its Library Development Program creates libraries and fills their shelves.

Would you like to help create more opportunities for improved literacy and learning for children and adults in Greater Boston? Come join us Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning sorting and packing books at our Dedham warehouse.

• Volunteers must be able to life a box of books with ease and should not be sensitive to dust or dirt. We need volunteers who are looking for an on-going volunteer activity for 3 or 4 hours at a time for specific Saturday or Sundays. Our volunteers range from twentysomethings to retirees. Make a friend while making a difference. Hate to come alone? Bring a pal, your spouse or favorite relative. All volunteers must be at least 18.