2001-2002 Grant Project Reports
Grant Project descriptions by Library:
Brooklyn Public Library | Freeport Memorial Library | Guilderland Public Library | Hempstead Public Library | Howland Public Library | Huntington Public Library | Mohawk Valley Library Association | Monroe County Library System | The New York Public Library, The Branch Libraries | North Country Library System | Oneida Public Library | Queens Borough Public Library | Shenendehowa Public Library | Troy Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library
Susan K. O'Connor
(718) 832-3560
Family Reading Room of the Brooklyn House of Detention: Pre-GED Program
of the Flatbush Learning Center
$6,699.00
2001-2002
Project Description:
41% of Brooklyn residents' aged 16 and older are ranked at Literacy Level One. Many of these citizens are living in poverty and have had brushes with the law. Expanding on prior partnerships with the Brooklyn House of Detention for Men and the Consortium for Worker Education, Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) increased literacy and job readiness skills in this population group.
Project Activities:
Expanded collections, extended staff hours and purchased new equipment for the Family Reading Center at the Brooklyn House of Detention. Purchased Pre-GED learning materials for the Flatbush Learning Center. BPL literacy volunteers conducted small group sessions reinforcing students reading, writing and computer skills.
Staffing & Costs:
The Consortium for Worker Education provided a trained teacher to conduct classes at the Flatbush Learning Center. BPL provided staff during the open hours of the Family Reading Center at the Brooklyn House of Detention for Men.
- Supplies and Materials - $6,699.00
Results:
Expanded the collection in writing, Social Studies, Science, and Math materials at the only learning center to offer a pre-GED program.
Changes/Recommendations:
Budget cutbacks due to Sept. 11th affected project's funding.
Freeport Memorial Library
Laura N. Goudket
(516) 379-3274
Getting Ready for the 2002 GED
$5,573.00
2001-2002
Project Description:
To provide GED preparation through the use of classes, interactive software, and print materials to high school dropouts. The dropout rate is approximately 2.9% of the student enrollment. These students between the ages of 16-18 have little or no skills in reading, writing and technology.
Project Activities:
Recruited potential students through the Freeport Public Schools/Adult
Continuing Community Education and the Town of Hempstead DOOR (Department
of Occupational Resources).
Held training classes instructing GED students on test preparation
interactive software. Collection development in GED test preparation materials
and software. Students attended presentations on skills assessment, resume
writing, cover letters and interview techniques.
Staffing & Costs:
Library staff presented classes and the career counselor assisted students with job readiness skills.
- Purchased Services - $2,500.00
- Supplies and Materials - $5,573.00
Results:
30 students out of 43 took and successfully passed the GED exam.
Changes/Recommendations:
The purchase of the interactive GED software was complicated due to the timing of the upgrade.
Guilderland Public Library
Barbara Nichols Randall
(518) 456-2400 x11
New Connections@The Guilderland Public Library: Linking ESL Students and
Tutors
$12,623.00
2001-2002
Project Description:
To provide non-English speaking patrons with literacy support through the recruitment of tutors, a student referral service, professional support and expanding the collection of ESL materials.
The increased immigrant population faced difficulty obtaining jobs; furthering their education and gaining access to other social and economic opportunities due to language barriers. Reference librarians noted a significant increase in the number of patron inquiries concerning English language tutoring. Coupled with the long waiting list at the local office of Literacy Volunteers, Guilderland Public Library identified two needs: 1) the increasing number of patrons in the ESL program, and 2) the recruitment and training of tutors.
Specific Activities:
Publicized the program through a variety of venues. Recruited and trained tutors through workshops taught by the Literacy Volunteers of America and the University at Albany's IELP (Intensive English Language Program). Developed a seed collection of ESL materials advised by contacts in LVA and IELP. Developed and maintained an ongoing collaboration with LVA-Mohawk/Hudson, Inc.
Staffing & Costs:
Library provided space for workshops and tutoring sessions. Workshops designed and presented by partners, LVA and IELP.
- Professional Salaries - $2,855.00
- Purchased Services - $4,500.00
- Supplies and Materials - $4,845.00
- Employee Benefits - $423.00
Results:
New Connections tripled the active tutoring in the Guilderland area, by training 49 tutors and attracting two dozen new students. Study room use has increased 70% over last year's statistics, and tutors have logged close to 600 hours in the first 8 months of the program.
Changes/Recommendations:
A waiting list of volunteer tutors would be an affective way to fill last minute vacancies for the workshops. A tour of the library to show the kinds of ESL materials, study areas and other services available would benefit tutors and students. Many tutors had beginning or intermediate students leading to a poor turnout for the TOEFL workshop.
Hempstead Public Library
Irene A. Duszkiewicz
(516) 481-6990
The New Write to Work
$19,450.00
2001-2002
Project Description:
Census figures indicated 25% of the community's adult population does not have a high school diploma. Coupled with the highest unemployment on Long Island, the Adult Learning Center at the Hempstead Public Library received numerous requests for GED preparation materials.
Students were provided with KET/GED Connections materials, and classes in writing skills and word-processing computer instruction.
Project Activities:
An experienced teacher in GED preparation, writing skills and basic computer instruction offered 4 sessions of classes twice a week for ten weeks. Laptops and video monitors were purchased to facilitate group learning. Evaluation of the students strengths and weaknesses before and after the program was done by both the teacher and the ALC coordinator with the results shared with cooperating agencies.
Staffing & Costs:
The Adult Learning Center Coordinator hired the teacher to direct workshops, recruited students, and facilitated partnerships with community agencies.
- Purchased Services - $10,000.00
- Supplies and Materials - $1,445.00
- Equipment - $1,926.00
Results:
Many participants have yet to take the GED, however the 20% of the students who took the GED passed. Many students improved their skills considerably due to the teacher's one-on-one attention and the multi-media instructional approach.
Problems/Recommendations:
Students had to share laptops during class.
Howland Public Library
Phyllis Keaton
(845) 831-1165
Beacon Reads!
$11,750.00
2001-2002
Project Description:
A community needs assessment showed the need for literacy materials and support to the large immigrant population of Latinos. Partnerships established with Comite mi Gente a Spanish advocacy group, and the Literacy Volunteers of America reached underserved ESL populations.
Project Activities:
A community needs assessment established the targeted population needs and wants. The Dutchess County office of the Literacy Volunteers of America trained new tutors and established new outreach sites. The library increased after school programs, adult literacy programming, formed a literacy taskforce and translated library information into Spanish and Mandarin.
Staffing & Costs:
The library hosted programs, translated materials, and formed literacy taskforce. Comite mi Gente and the Literacy Volunteers of America collaborated on needs assessment and the recruitment and training of tutors and students.
- Professional Salaries - $4,175.00
- Purchased Services - $2,000.00
- Supplies and Materials - $3,500.00
- Travel Expenses - $500.00
- Employee Benefits - $400.00
Results:
Completion of a community needs assessment on literacy concerns. Trained and recruited new tutors and established two new sites for outreach meetings and training. Established a community literacy taskforce. Provided after school tutoring and translated library materials into Spanish and Mandarin.
Problems/Recommendations:
Timing difficulties due to September 11th and the wait to hire an adult services librarians to assume programming responsibilities. Grant funds did not include money for a laptop computer and a projector for community outreach programs.
Huntington Public Library
Alice Lepore
(631) 427-5165 ext.202
ESOL Language Lab
$11,291.00
2001-2002
Project Description:
Established a Language Lab to provide alternative literacy instruction in support of the Literacy Volunteers of America. The Hispanic population has increased 50%, many who face language barriers. The applicants waiting for a tutor through the Literacy Volunteers of America was targeted to benefit from this program.
Project Activities:
Purchase of English Discoveries software and the creation of a computer
lab in the library.
Applicants on the waiting list for a tutor were contact about this
program and provided with hands on training. Two librarians, one bilingual
in Spanish, increased their hours to provide support for the lab users.
Demonstrations of the software presented to other libraries in the area.
Staffing & Costs:
Bilingual librarians increased their hours to provide support to users in the lab. Demonstrations and publicity of the program were presented to LVA tutors, their students, and other libraries in the area.
- Supplies and Materials - $117.00
- Equipment - $11,174.00
Results:
244 users have spent close to 1000 hours using the computer lab and interactive software. The majority of the users were library visitors looking for literacy services. This program brought an increase of applicants to LVA.
Problems/Recommendations:
The recording feature in the software was rarely used due to the lack of privacy in the computer lab.
Mohawk Valley Library Association
Lois Gordon
(518) 355-2010
Learning Styles Toolkit
$15,387.00
2001-2002
Project Description:
Develop multi-sensory and interactive learning kits for adult literacy students with learning differences. Training of library staff, Literacy Volunteer of America tutors, and the educational coordinators in the correctional facilities in the use of the learning kits. An assessment of the resources available to librarians and tutors revealed the lack of multi-sensory interactive materials appropriate for adults. Studies have shown that the 5 learning styles utilized fully leads to successful literacy efforts.
Project Activities:
15 kits were developed using multi-sensory and interactive materials. These kits are housed in member libraries, LVA offices, a Jail, a center for people with all kinds of disabilities, and an adult education GED and ESL program. Training sessions were provided for library staff and tutors. Development of a website containing information on literacy is ongoing. Recruitment of new tutors through bookmarks and other publicity venues.
Staffing & Costs:
Collaborated with Literacy Volunteers of America and Wildwoods to develop learning kits. Processed and disseminated kits and evaluated progress.
- Purchased Services - $5,902.00
- Supplies and Materials - $9,261.00
- Travel Expenses - $224.00
Problems/Recommendations:
The kit materials should have been divided up into smaller kits. More time allotment to organize and develop the kits. Better communication with jail administrations to facilitate participation in the grant.
Monroe County Library System
Paula Smith
(585) 428-8393
Literacy and Learning Disabilities Project
$20,000.00
2001-2002
Project Description:
Through publicity, library staff training and collection development, literacy skills increased for individuals with learning disabilities.
Project Activities:
A series of radio announcements were broadcast highlighting resources at the public libraries. Workshops by a noted expert in learning disabilities covered such topics as: effective communication with non-traditional learners, signage, recommendations for service improvements, and improving library and agency environments. Training on CO-Writer software was offered to library staff. Software and books were purchased to support reading, grammar, and composition.
Staffing & Costs:
- Purchased Services - $10,000.00
- Supplies & Materials - $10,000.00
Results:
Increased public awareness of library resources and programs were evident by the significant increase of calls to the literacy center and hits to the website. Library and agency staff's awareness and skill when working with non-traditional learners increased as shown through survey responses.
Problems/Recommendations:
The two Kurzweil 3000 software packages and scanners could only run on certain computer systems. This necessitated a change of location for these software packages.
The New York Public Library, The Branch Libraries
Harriet Gottfried
(212) 340-0988
ESOL Classes at Inwood Regional Branch Library
$20,000.00
2001-2002
Project Description:
ESOL classes were offered to predominantly Spanish speaking immigrants. The library collaborated with Riverside Language Program, the Mayor's Office of Adult Literacy, the Literacy Assistance Center, and other community based agencies to recruit and refer students, to publicize library services and to develop joint proposals for ESOL classes.
Project Activities:
Six ESOL classes were offered at the Inwood Regional Branch during three ten-week cycles, with a total of 142 students registered. Riverside Language Program taught the classes and administered pre and post-tests. Library staff maintained a referral service to participating community agencies. Students were given an orientation tour of the library and shown the collections of ESOL, world languages, parenting materials and community information. Library provided print and non-print resources to students who wanted self-instruction.
Staffing & Costs:
- Purchased Services - $20,000.00
Results:
Out of a total of 142 students registered, 81 students completed the program and took the post-test. There was an average gain of 4 points from the individuals who participated in the post-test.
Problems/Recommendations:
Due to the high demand for ESOL classes in the city more prospective students came to register than could be accommodated. Referrals to other community based ESOL classes were offered as well as the opportunity to borrow self-instructional language materials.
North Country Library System
Regan DeFranza
(315) 782-5540
Come Read With Me
$15,120.00
2001-2002
Project Description:
Targeting at-risk families through the regional correctional facilities, this program promoted reading as a valued family activity. Information, resources and materials were provided to families regarding family and adult literacy. Strengthened collaborative relationships between local and regional literacy agencies resulted from this project.
Project Activities:
Collections of paperback children's books were placed in the correctional facility and jail visit rooms. Copies of the children's books were placed in the jail's libraries for the inmates to practice their reading skills on. Bags of paperback books, bookmarks, and crayons were distributed to visiting children. Each bag had literacy-related literature included promoting library resources.
Staffing & Costs:
- Supplies & Materials - $15,120.00
Results:
Facilities report an average of 12 inmates reading to visiting children each week. Each correctional facility has distributed 123 giveaway bags each week, and each county jail has given away 58 bags. Anecdotal evidence has shown delight on part of the inmates and family.
Problems/Recommendations:
Security problems resulted in regards to the nature of the facilities. Changes in how books were to be supplied and the nature of the giveaways were due to working with security conditions.
Oneida Public Library
Carolyn Gerakopoulos
(315) 363-3050
Project Read Grows
$19,968.00
2001-2002
Project Description:
A family literacy tutoring project that included one-on-one writing and reading tutoring, a referral service with BOCES, the creation of tutor manuals and collection development, Project Read Grows reached 18 new families and recruited 14 new tutors.
Project Activities:
Collaborative relationships between the library and Even Start, Starting Together, Grasp, and Headstart were established. A training syllabus for tutors was developed and tutors attended two training sessions. Satellite tutoring sites were established in member libraries. The Literacy Director and the Writing Tutor created a tutor manual. 70 additional materials were ordered for the collection including audiovisual materials and software programs.
Staffing & Costs:
- Professional Salaries - $8,500.00
- Support Staff Salaries - $2,500.00
- Purchased Services - $1,056.95
- Supplies and Materials - $3,385.57
Results:
50% showed marked improvement in recognizing sight words, using decoding skills, and in reading comprehension. 80% of the participants expressed satisfaction with their tutoring experience. 90% of the tutors expressed satisfaction with the training and the instructor.
Problems/Recommendations:
Recent immigrant population provided a high demand for an ESOL instructor.
Queens Borough Public Library
Bruce Carmel
(718) 480-4300
Bridging Services: Pre-GED Classes for Adult Learners
$18,684.00
2001-2002
Project Description:
90 students enrolled in pre-GED classes acquiring math, writing, and test taking skills. Teachers using a set curriculum and administered student evaluations taught classes twice weekly.
Project Activities:
Two classes were taught weekly at two sites. Teachers met for training in the curriculum and to coordinate publicity efforts. Students learned and practiced reading, writing, math, and test taking skills.
Staffing & Costs:
- Professional Salaries - $15,518.91
- Supplies and Materials - $1,918.09
- Employee Benefits - $1,247.00
Results:
Students who completed classes averaged an increase of 70% of a grade level as measured on the TABE. The range was from .4 grade levels to 1.9. Class attendance averaged 90% and student evaluations were uniformly positive.
Problems/Recommendations:
Project staff learned of the benefits when there was strong support from the Learning Center's staff. Proactive assistance on behalf of the staff lead to a continuous effort from the students.
Shenendehowa Public Library
Kathleen Adam
(518) 371-8622
Getting to Know You
$13,850.00
2001-2002
Project Description:
Support Saratoga County LVA in their efforts to increase tutor/student population in the ESOL program. Enhance student learning through the availability of library resources and programs.
Project Activities:
Recruitment of tutors and students was done through publicity. A tutor-training session held at the library, included information on library resources. Software and a laptop computer purchased for tutors and students to use in their sessions. Library staff trained in issues related to the ESOL tutoring program and attended monthly conversation groups. Library staff, tutors and students create a multi-lingual guide to library services.
Staffing & Costs:
- Purchased Services - $11,991.00
- Supplies and Materials - $781.00
- Equipment - $1,078.00
Results:
The number of ESOL students increased by a factor of 8.66, from 3 students to 26 students. The number of ESOL tutors increased by a factor of 11.66, from 3 tutors to 25 tutors. The number of student/tutor matches increased by a factor of 10.66, from 3 matches to 32 matches. 100% of the students applied for library cards and 35% are reading to their children and attending library programs.
Problems/Recommendations:
The lack of space in the library facility hindered regular support hours by LVA.
Troy Public Library....[report to follow]