Center for Adult Learning: Expanding Horizons Adult Literacy Project

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This isthe 4^th year for Jacksonville Public Library's project"Expanding Horizons Adult Literacy Project" which is implemented bythe 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 toincrease learning opportunities for adults with limited reading and functioningskills.  During FY 2012-2013, the Center for Adult Learning is continuingto provide Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language instruction.They are projecting to serve a minimum of 1,000 adult learners.  TheCenter is continuing to reach out to a growing refugee population and providehealth, financial, and family-oriented seminars/activities to enhance literacyand English language instruction to the community. The staff is also providingliteracy services to two county jails in the area.
Background:
Thelibrary’s award winning adult literacy program started through a LibraryServices and Construction Act (LSCA) grant in the mid-1980 as a computer basedprogram serving students 5^th grade and up. Once the grant ended, theprogram was picked up and is fully funded by local funds.
Thelibrary was one of two in the state that received a Reader’s Digest fundedgrant administered through the American Library Association. The state capital inTallahassee (Leon County) was the other library. With help from this grant,Jacksonville expanded their program by adding small group instruction aimed atlow level learners who were not succeeding in the computer program. The newprogram used paid staff to provide instruction accessible to adults withlearning differences. According to Jaskula, they had found a model that workedwith learners who had previously dropped out. CAL then decided to add volunteers to the program and developed materialwhich they could use --but in a format consistent for learners.  About the same time they began usingvolunteers to provide small group conversational sessions in branch libraries.
Becauseof the popularity and effectiveness of the program, the downtown library dedicated6,000 square feet of space to the literacy program when the new building openedand continues to do so. CAL is located in the library basement with a publicentrance. Last year, the local volunteer program, Learn to Read, got intotrouble financially and almost closed. The library reached out to the programand offered space. The program continues to be housed in the library, a naturalpartnership.
Once thelibrary moved into the new facility, they applied for an adult literacy focusedproject called, Volunteers As Special Educators (VASE)  for $56,789 in LSTA funds. The program wasselected as exemplary in 2007.
TheJacksonville Public Library sustained and expanded adult literacy services bysupporting and training volunteer tutors to work with English for Speakers ofOther Languages (ESOL) and special needs learners. Library staff streamlined instructionbased on strategies proven to work with learning disabled students so that volunteerscould provide the instruction.  a productof this initiative. Two partners (Learn to Read, Inc. of Jacksonville and Learnto Read of St. Johns County, Inc.) will assist the Jacksonville Public Libraryin piloting and refining the curriculum prior
TheDivision chose this project from the 2009 grants cycle as an exemplary project.The Jacksonville Public Library System’s “Expanding Horizons Adult LiteracyProject” is a positive approach to library services that meet patron needs. Theproject has developed many partnerships, both formal and informal, and is ableto use them to expand the services the library provides. Learn to Read ofJacksonville relocated to the Jacksonville Public Library, where the library isable to offer a one-stop shop for one-on-one literacy and math instruction, andprovide basic computer training, online instruction, and walk-in clinics forin-depth instruction on resume building and help filling out job applications.Partnerships with Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services and World Reliefopened these resources to refugees from Nepal, Burma and other countries. TheCenter for Adult Literacy at Jacksonville Public Library uses the Fast TrackReading System, a system they developed with previous LSTA grant funding that isavailable for free to tutors trained in its use. The Jacksonville LiteracyCoordinator trains volunteers from other agencies, both in and outside of DuvalCounty, 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 ofJacksonville, and the Lake County Library System. The Center for Adult Literacyalso has several web-based programs for distance learning that can be used fromhome or from the Jacksonville Library’s computer lab.