Much like the issue of hunger, literacy gets short-shrift in a county like Loudoun.

What, with our “richest county in the nation” rating, our unparalleled schools and erudite society, it’s inconceivable that anyone in our county would be – gasp – illiterate.

Yet, the Loudoun Literacy Council, a non-profit based in Leesburg, exists for a reason and certainly has its work cut out for it in terms of changing public opinion, informing citizens and increasing public awareness.

That’s partly due to the fact that the very definition of ‘literacy’ has evolved with time – and with our transitioning demographics, culture and society.

Literacy is no longer simply about reading and writing. In 2012, it necessarily encompasses much more.

According to the National Institute for Literacy and the National Coalition for Literacy, their definition of literacy also includes the ability to “speak in English, compute and solve problems at levels of proficiency necessary to function on the job, in the family and in society.”

This is an absolutely logical extension of the definition of literacy in a world marketplace that has become more competitive, more complex and more unified around a single, universal language – English. Americans aren’t the only ones becoming proficient in that language and constantly attempting to master it to get ahead in the world of business and finance, diplomacy and academia.

Simply put, it’s no longer “just” about reading and writing. This is not your grandfather’s literacy.

In addition to falling behind in math and science testing in head-to-head comparisons with dozens of other nations, is the U.S. in danger of falling behind, as well, in - English?

With this more modern definition of what literacy actually means in the 21st century, the number of our citizens that fall into the category of “fully literate” starts to decrease, and with it, public concern should have a commensurate increase in scale.

Consider that Loudoun has just experienced a massive 84 percent explosion in population growth since the last U.S. Census in 2000. That growth has birthed a massive increase in both ethnic populations, as well as pockets of poverty in places like the Sterling-Herndon corridor.

Both of these challenges were recently highlighted in a white paper study called “A Portrait of Children in Northern Virginia,” issued in mid-2010 by The Community Foundation of Northern Virginia and the nonpartisan research group called Voices for Virginia’s Children.

The study proved that there is an alarming correlation between illiteracy and a more low-income, poorer community. In fact, statistics show that 43 percent of adults with the lowest literacy rates in the U.S. live in poverty, while it is estimated that 7 percent of Loudoun’s population lacks basic reading skills.

The growth of ethnic communities has resulted in a rapid expansion of groups who call English a second, rather than a first, language of choice and usage. According to the 2010 Census report, Loudoun’s Asian population grew fivefold, while the Latino population tripled – and that has resulted in fully one-quarter of county residents speaking a language other than English in their homes. Amazingly, over 20,000 households said they speak English “less than very well”.

No matter how one feels about ethnic communities in Loudoun – and this remains a very divisive issue today – the need for assimilation and cultural grounding is stronger than ever given the new Census figures.

The same study showed that the pockets of poverty that dot our county and surrounding areas have a direct link to growth of immigrant populations, according to the Loudoun Literacy Council.

Why does all this matter about literacy?

Advocates state that low literacy rates cost the national economy roughly $225 billion annually due to non-productivity in the workforce, crime and loss of tax revenue due to chronic unemployment.

Hence, the work that is done by the Loudoun Literacy Council accomplishes two extremely important challenges.

First, it seeks to end the cycle of poverty by providing literacy services to help further skills and education, plucking the disadvantaged from hopelessness into the job market and a new future. Second, it helps to provide ethnic communities with the literacy knowledge required to assimilate more quickly into our community, thereby becoming a real benefit to Loudoun’s economic recovery – and community framework – in 2011 and beyond.

The Loudoun Literacy Council opens doors to a new world of opportunity to low-literate and disadvantaged adults and children through various touch-points. They include on-site classes, teaching, tutoring, partnerships with Loudoun schools, and conducting story circles in homeless shelters.

For 30 years, the Loudoun Literacy Council has quietly but resolutely brought attention and awareness to an issue that too few people know about – or realize is a serious challenge to the well-being and growth prospects for our county.

You can help by donating to their cause at loudounliteracy.org or volunteering to help. In addition, the Loudoun Literacy Council is planning their 5th Annual Corporate Spelling Bee on March 28 in Lansdowne to help raise funds and awareness for their efforts. The Times-Mirror is helping to sponsor the event and will compete.

It’s not too late to participate and help. It never is when the cause is a more literate, well-spoken and educated community.