Center for Adult Learning: Expanding Horizons Adult Literacy Project

This is the 4^th year for Jacksonville Public Library's project "Expanding Horizons Adult Literacy Project" which is implemented by the Center for Adult Literacy (CAL) by Sharon Jaskula (in photo on the right), longtime manager of CAL. Last year this project served 964 adults, a 7% increase over the previous year. This project provides solutions to a local literacy crisis and continues to increase learning opportunities for adults with limited reading and functioning skills.  During FY 2012-2013, the Center for Adult Learning is continuing to provide Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language instruction. They are projecting to serve a minimum of 1,000 adult learners.  The Center is continuing to reach out to a growing refugee population and provide health, financial, and family-oriented seminars/activities to enhance literacy and English language instruction to the community. The staff is also providing literacy services to two county jails in the area.

Background:

The library’s award winning adult literacy program started through a Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) grant in the mid-1980 as a computer based program serving students 5^th grade and up. Once the grant ended, the program was picked up and is fully funded by local funds.

The library was one of two in the state that received a Reader’s Digest funded grant administered through the American Library Association. The state capital in Tallahassee (Leon County) was the other library. With help from this grant, Jacksonville expanded their program by adding small group instruction aimed at low level learners who were not succeeding in the computer program. The new program used paid staff to provide instruction accessible to adults with learning differences. According to Jaskula, they had found a model that worked with learners who had previously dropped out.  CAL then decided to add volunteers to the program and developed material which they could use --but in a format consistent for learners.  About the same time they began using volunteers to provide small group conversational sessions in branch libraries.

Because of the popularity and effectiveness of the program, the downtown library dedicated 6,000 square feet of space to the literacy program when the new building opened and continues to do so. CAL is located in the library basement with a public entrance. Last year, the local volunteer program, Learn to Read, got into trouble financially and almost closed. The library reached out to the program and offered space. The program continues to be housed in the library, a natural partnership.

Once the library moved into the new facility, they applied for an adult literacy focused project called, Volunteers As Special Educators (VASE)  for $56,789 in LSTA funds. The program was selected as exemplary in 2007.

The Jacksonville Public Library sustained and expanded adult literacy services by supporting and training volunteer tutors to work with English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and special needs learners. Library staff streamlined instruction based on strategies proven to work with learning disabled students so that volunteers could provide the instruction.  a product of this initiative. Two partners (Learn to Read, Inc. of Jacksonville and Learn to Read of St. Johns County, Inc.) will assist the Jacksonville Public Library in piloting and refining the curriculum prior

The Division chose this project from the 2009 grants cycle as an exemplary project. The Jacksonville Public Library System’s “Expanding Horizons Adult Literacy Project” is a positive approach to library services that meet patron needs. The project has developed many partnerships, both formal and informal, and is able to use them to expand the services the library provides. Learn to Read of Jacksonville relocated to the Jacksonville Public Library, where the library is able to offer a one-stop shop for one-on-one literacy and math instruction, and provide basic computer training, online instruction, and walk-in clinics for in-depth instruction on resume building and help filling out job applications. Partnerships with Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services and World Relief opened these resources to refugees from Nepal, Burma and other countries. The Center for Adult Literacy at Jacksonville Public Library uses the Fast Track Reading System, a system they developed with previous LSTA grant funding that is available for free to tutors trained in its use. The Jacksonville Literacy Coordinator trains volunteers from other agencies, both in and outside of Duval County, in the Fast Track Reading System. These include Learn to Read from St. Lucie County, the Literacy Volunteers of Lee County, the Women’s Center of Jacksonville, and the Lake County Library System. The Center for Adult Literacy also has several web-based programs for distance learning that can be used from home or from the Jacksonville Library’s computer lab.