Beardstown
– Beardstown Houston Memorial Library is one of 34 libraries nationwide that has received “The American Dream Starts @ your library” grant to help increase literacy services to adult English language learners. Each of the winning libraries will receive a one-time award of $5,000. The grants are funded by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and implemented by the American Library Association.
With grant funds, Beardstown Houston Memorial Library will provide basic computer courses for English language learners through bilingual library staff members. A series of three classes will teach participants how to use a computer, search the Internet effectively, create and use an email account, and do basic word processing. The bilingual classes will be held in Spanish/English and French/English starting in July. Additionally, updated computer materials will be purchased for the English and Spanish collections along with a core collection of French language materials.
Library Director Cate Parish recently stated her gratitude for the award. “We feel very fortunate to have been selected as a grant recipient. Our community continues to increase in its diversity and the library is striving to meet the needs of all segments of the population with improved services and materials. This grant will help propel us toward that goal.”
The funded libraries represent communities in 18 states – Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin - ranging from large urban areas to small, rural towns. Beardstown Houston Memorial Library was one of eight rural libraries in the country chosen to receive the grant. Each library demonstrated a need to provide literacy services to adult immigrants and a need to expand and/or add resources and services for adult English language learners. A complete list of the winning libraries is available at www.ala.org.
Public libraries have long been a cornerstone of the American dream, providing equal access to information. It is one of the first places to which many immigrants turn for help in learning to read, write and speak English.
“As a longtime supporter of literacy and education, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to fund the ‘American Dream’ grant initiative,” said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General’s CEO. “Public libraries are in a unique position to directly reach immigrants and help them assimilate into a new community. These grants will enable local libraries to provide the English language literacy services most needed in their area.”
The National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) recently found that 11 million U.S. adults or approximately one in 20, most of whom are immigrants, have such limited English skills that they can’t read a newspaper, understand the directions for medication or help their children with schoolwork. “The American Dream Starts @ your library” grant was founded by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and the American Library Association to meet the growing demand for English language literacy services.
About the American Library Association
The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 65,000 members. Its mission is to promote the highest quality library and information services and public access to information. For more information visit www.ala.org.
About Dollar General
Dollar General is a leading discount retailer with more than 8,000 neighborhood stores. Dollar General stores provide convenience and value to customers by offering consumable basic items such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids and cleaning supplies, as well as basic apparel, house wares and seasonal items at everyday low prices. The company has a longstanding tradition of supporting literacy and education. In 2007, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation awarded more than $5.7 million in grants to 407 nonprofit organizations, helping more than 300,000 individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency. To learn more about Dollar General, visit www.dollargeneral.com. Dollar General is a partner of the Campaign For America’s Libraries, a multi-year public education campaign sponsored by the American Library Association to speak loudly and clearly about the value of libraries and librarians in the 21st Century.
