2004-2005 Grant Recipients
New York State Librarian and Assistant Commissioner for Libraries, Janet M. Welch, announced that the New York State Library has awarded $190,000 in 2004-05 State funds for 14 competitive Adult Literacy Library Services Grants to 11 public libraries and 3 public library systems.
"The Adult Literacy Library Services Grants are vital in helping libraries fulfill their important role in ensuring that New Yorkers achieve the literacy skills they need to participate in the workforce, support their families, and be productive members of their communities," said Mrs. Welch.
The grant projects will offer library-based literacy classes and basic educational test preparation opportunities for adults through some 67 public libraries and neighborhood branches across the State. The libraries will partner with various community education and service agencies during the grant year.
These grant funds will enable adults who read below the sixth grade level, or who are learning English as a second language, to take part in library activities to improve their reading and conversation skills. This year's programs include: writing workshops, General Educational Development (GED) preparation courses, English language classes for refugees and immigrants, literacy programs focusing on job readiness and employment, assistance for adults with learning disabilities, tutor training, training for library staff, and more.
Please contact Anne E. Simon, the State Library's Adult and Family Literacy Specialist, at (518) 486-2194 for more information on the Adult Literacy Library Services Grant Program.
The following is a list of the public libraries and public library systems that received Adult Literacy Service Grant awards:
Brooklyn Public Library (Kings) $15,960 - The W.R.I.T.E. Workshops (Year Two)
The W.R.I.T.E. Workshops (Writing, Reading and Imagining through Thematic Engagement) will be expanded to include business writing, essay/report writing and life skills issues. Creative writing workshops begun in Year One will continue.
Crandall Public Library, Glens Falls (Warren) $13,480 - Let's Speak English at Crandall Public Library
In partnership with Literacy Volunteers-Warren County, the Library will strengthen literacy services for non-English speaking immigrants. Tutors will be recruited and trained. Library staff will be trained in cultural awareness and communication skills. Conversation groups will focus on the community, library services and practicing English. A speech pathologist will provide student/tutor pronunciation workshops.
Hempstead Public Library (Nassau) $15,556 - Get There on Route TV411
English as a Second Language students will have expanded opportunities to increase English language, life and test-taking skills supported by the video series TV411. Conversation classes plus General Equivalency Diploma math and writing preparation will be offered. "On Common Ground" will be purchased to aid in citizenship test preparation and "Ingles Sin Barreras" will continue to be promoted.
James Prendergast Library Association, Jamestown (Chautauqua) $16,026 - Spotlight on Literacy
Together with Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES, the Learning Disabilities Association of Western New York and Even Start, the Library will help adults with children under five who need help learning to read, do basic math, master English as a Second Language, and parent successfully. Project objectives include closer collaboration among partners, increasing print and electronic resources, providing workshops for staff of partnering agencies and improved publicity.
Mohawk Valley Library System (Fulton, Montgomery, Schenectady, Schoharie) $12,270 - Say Yes! To Literacy (Year Two)
Five Schoharie County libraries and Literacy Volunteers of Schoharie County will join the System, four Fulton and Montgomery County libraries, Literacy Volunteer of American-Fulton County and Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery BOCES in recruiting students and tutors and providing training to tutors and library staff. Additional computer access and print resources will be acquired. Promotion of literacy services will include a celebration of International Literacy Day.
Monroe County Library System (Monroe) $12,555 - ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Services (Year Two)
The System and its members in collaboration with the six community agencies that make up the MVLS Literacy Advisory Committee will continue updating collections and providing training for library and agency staff. Programs showcasing different immigrants groups will be expanded and presented at community libraries. Marketing efforts will be increased and a literacy web page created.
The New York Public Library, The Branch Libraries (New York) $10,306 - ESOL Instruction at the Muhlenburg Branch Library (Year Two)
Continued literacy instruction will be provided to adults with limited English proficiency in the Chelsea community of Manhattan. Students will receive an introduction to library resources for self-instruction plus educational and recreational purposed.
North Country Library System (Jefferson, St. Lawrence) $19,000 - St. Lawrence County Literacy Coalition
A partnership of North Country Library System, eight St. Lawrence County member libraries and five agencies will create a countywide coalition of literacy support for adults in need of basic literacy services. Tutors will be recruited and trained, print materials acquired, in-service training on literacy issues provided, and a literacy newsletter created. Literacy services will be promoted and a Literacy Coalition Fund established.
Olean Public Library (Cattaraugus) $11,398 - Family Reading Allowed
Basic literacy with a focus on enabling adults to read to and with their children is the goal of this project. The Library in partnership with Cattaraugus and Wyoming Counties Project Head Start and Literacy Volunteers of Cattaraugus County will recruit participants, train agency staff and instructors, acquire materials and develop programs in support of the project.
Pawling Free Library (Dutchess) $10,408 - Library/BOCES Program
In partnership with Dutchess County BOCES, the Library will provide General Equivalency Diploma programs in English and Spanish. Supplementary programs relating to the needs of immigrants, workshops for staff on diversity, sensitivity and customer service, and resources for staff and students will be developed. Life long use of library services will be promoted.
Queens Borough Public Library (Queens) $16,823 - Literacy at Any Age
Improved English language skills for older adult immigrants are the focus of Learners at Any Age. Course content will include basic listening, speaking, reading and writing skills with an emphasis on the health and well-being of older adults. Literacy classes will be held in the Library's Adult Learning Centers.
Schenectady County Public Library (Schenectady) $12,874 - Literacy Outreach and Opportunity Project-LOOP (Year Two)
Building on LOOP's first year's activities for non-English speaking immigrants, SCPL, together with nine branch libraries, Mohawk Valley Library System and Literacy Volunteers of America-Mohawk/Hudson will expand efforts to recruit English as a Second Language tutors. Collection development, tours and conversation groups with new themes will continue. Computer classes for will be added.
Warsaw Public Library (Wyoming) $7,724 - Literacy in Wyoming County Libraries (Year Two)
Perry Public Library will join Warsaw Public Library, Arcade Free Library, Stevens Memorial Community Library in Attica and Literacy Volunteers of Wyoming County as a project partner. Tutor recruitment, training for tutors and staff and promotion of literacy services will be continued. Adult basic education collections will be increased and English as a Second Language material will be added.
Yonkers Public Library (Westchester) $15,627 - TOOLS for Life: Computer-Assisted Instruction for Learning Disabled Adults
The Library will establish a literacy lab for English-speaking learning-disabled adults at the Grinton Will Branch in partnership with Literacy Volunteers of Westchester County and the Lower Hudson Valley Regional Technology Center. Computers, software programs, special audiovisual and navigational tools, plus computer books, paperbacks and audiocassettes will be purchased. Training for tutors, students and staff will be provided and a professional collection developed.