Frankfort Community Public Library Frankfort, Indiana http://www.accs.net/fcpl Population Served: 33,866 Language other than English: 13.6% Project Contact: Kim Redington Project Title: Learning Language: Learning Computers Project Description: This project serves adult English Language Learners in the Clinton County Adult Literacy Program. The American Dream Grant allowed our program to purchase laptops and software to expand our teaching into a combination English language and computer literacy class. New adult English Language Learners learn the basics of a computer while increasing their literacy skills at the same time.

Notable accomplishment, promising practices, or human interest stories: We are excited that our Learners in the Literacy Program can use technology that they have not used before. Many students expressed interest in learning how to use a computer and now they have that opportunity with the American Dream Grant. The Learners can use a technology that is new to them, and they can increase their English skills while doing so.

Key lessons learned: Patience, Patience, Patience. We had major problems with the ordering of the computers and installing the software.

Advice for other libraries serving adult English language learners: Always ask the Learners what they need to help them in their everyday lives. Don’t assume anything. Listen to the adult English language learners’ ideas and concerns. Always be “Learner-Centered”