Pollard Memorial Library Pollard Memorial Library Adult Literacy ProgramAdult Literacy Program

The ProgramThe Program

The Pollard Memorial Library’s Adult The Pollard Memorial Library’s Adult Literacy Program began in 1983.Literacy Program began in 1983.

It is affiliated with the Library Volunteers It is affiliated with the Library Volunteers of Massachusetts (LVM)of Massachusetts (LVM)

LVM does the grant writing and acquires LVM does the grant writing and acquires funding for the programfunding for the program

They also provide training for the tutor They also provide training for the tutor volunteersvolunteers

In return the program must comply with all In return the program must comply with all Department of Education expectationsDepartment of Education expectations

The Program …The Program …

Offers one-on-one teachingOffers one-on-one teaching Currently has 52 learners and 49 Currently has 52 learners and 49

volunteer tutorsvolunteer tutors Approximately 80 individuals are on Approximately 80 individuals are on

a 6-12 month long waiting list a 6-12 month long waiting list Most of the publicity for the Program Most of the publicity for the Program

is done by word of mouthis done by word of mouth 90% of the students are English 90% of the students are English

Language Learners.Language Learners.

The Program continued …The Program continued … The Pollard Memorial Library Adult Literacy The Pollard Memorial Library Adult Literacy

Program Coordinator is Julie IatronProgram Coordinator is Julie Iatron Ms. Iatron has been a community planning Ms. Iatron has been a community planning

librarian for four yearslibrarian for four years She spends about ten hours a week She spends about ten hours a week

coordinating the programcoordinating the program She also developes a “New Reader” She also developes a “New Reader”

collection at the library, which is organized collection at the library, which is organized by category (e.g. citizenship, health, by category (e.g. citizenship, health, mathematics)mathematics)

Tutor TrainingTutor Training

Tutors attend 18 hours of trainingTutors attend 18 hours of training All tutors are trained by the LVMAll tutors are trained by the LVM There are separate ABE and ESOL There are separate ABE and ESOL

trainingstrainings Tutors are taught about learning Tutors are taught about learning

disabilities, sensitivity to different cultures, disabilities, sensitivity to different cultures, and a general awareness for other factors and a general awareness for other factors which may affect learningwhich may affect learning

Tutors are also taught lesson planning Tutors are also taught lesson planning

ESOL Program ESOL Program Lowell has a large Spanish and Brazilian Lowell has a large Spanish and Brazilian

Portuguese speaking populationPortuguese speaking population Initially learners are given proficiency tests Initially learners are given proficiency tests

for need-assessment reasonsfor need-assessment reasons Learners are then matched with tutors Learners are then matched with tutors

accordinglyaccordingly Learner/Tutor contracts are created early Learner/Tutor contracts are created early

in the process (attend all sessions, meet in in the process (attend all sessions, meet in a public place, do not bring children)a public place, do not bring children)

Concurrent Conversation Circles run in Concurrent Conversation Circles run in four-week intervalsfour-week intervals

ABEABE

The library coordinates with other The library coordinates with other agencies such as Lowell Adult Education.agencies such as Lowell Adult Education.

Adult learners are tested using TABE and Adult learners are tested using TABE and MAPT assessmentsMAPT assessments

Many students are interested in building Many students are interested in building computer literacy and health literacy skillscomputer literacy and health literacy skills

There are far fewer ABE students than There are far fewer ABE students than ESOL learnersESOL learners

The Library Literacy connectionThe Library Literacy connection

Non-library based programs do not always Non-library based programs do not always know how much the library has to offerknow how much the library has to offer

Tutors and librarians give tours to increase Tutors and librarians give tours to increase learner awareness of all the Library has to learner awareness of all the Library has to offer themoffer them

Adult Literacy Program demands often add Adult Literacy Program demands often add strain to a limited library staff strain to a limited library staff

Much of the Library collection is geared Much of the Library collection is geared toward Adult literacy needstoward Adult literacy needs