Population Served:
261,998 Project Contact: Molly Elkins Project Title: Adult Literacy Program Project Description: We are using the funds to purchase workbooks for learners, teaching supplies such as pens, paper, notebooks and binders, updated A/V materials, supplies for outreach and tutor training. It will also be used to send the director Molly, Elkins to meaningful professional development events. |
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Notable accomplishment, promising practices, or human interest stories: English language learners have shared, “Now I can communicate with others without being embarrassed.” “I am amazed and so are my friends and husband about how much my English has improved.” Volunteers have taken English language learners on field trips to use the local bus, to the grocery store, and to the zoo. Volunteers have even taught new immigrants to drive! Volunteers are proud when one of their ESL students prepares for and passes the US Citizenship exam. Our ESL program at the Douglas County Libraries is growing in leaps and bounds, but because of the giving heart of the volunteers in Douglas County, we are able to help new immigrants find a home in our community. Thank you to Dollar General and ALA for providing resources to support our tutors and English learners.
Key lessons
learned: Do not try to spread myself too thin- it is better to do a few things well.
Ask and you shall receive- the volunteers in our Douglas County Libraries Adult Literacy Program are amazing and dedicated. While there is a tremendous need in our community for ESL services, there are also a tremendous number of people in our community who are excited to reach out to them. Each time I think, “How will I fill this need?” I put out the word, and someone in the community answers.
Promote, promote, promote - I have to remember to frequently share information about the new books and resources that are part of our Adult Literacy Collection so the community and volunteers can take advantage of them.
Advice for
other libraries serving adult English language learners: I would advise other libraries to network with other organizations in the community who provide similar services or who are in contact with English language learners. For example, in Douglas County, there are churches who offer low-cost ESL classes. Many of their students come to the library One 2 One tutoring program for extra help, and we refer our One 2 One learners to their classes. I also have developed relationships with the school district to reach out to families enrolled in their ESL programs. We host an ESL Family Night where the library and the school district present information about resources available to families, we have a library tour, and many families sign up for library cards as a result! The relationships I have developed with other organizations in our community have been invaluable in helping non-English speakers find the services they need and become a part of our community.