Pawling Library Lands Another Grant!
By Susan Stone
The Pawling Library has been awarded a Mid Hudson Library System (MHLS) mini-grant of $1,000 with funds from the New York State Library’s Adult Literacy Library Services grant program and Coordinated Outreach Services Aid. These funds are targeted to develop and expand adult literacy programs which will enhance workforce development services in the library, and improve adult literacy on the job and in the home. The grant will enhance opportunities to learn English for non-native speakers.
In a letter received from Merribeth Advocate, Assistant Director, Mid-Hudson Library System, this grant “will target strategic audiences and non-traditional users, meet the changing needs of your community, and enhance adult literacy through collaboration with your Literacy Partner Organization.”
Donald Partelow, adult program coordinator for the Pawling Library, was instrumental in securing these funds for this special programming. Mr. Partelow writes, ” Learning English is a rewarding experience for all those enrolled in our ESOL classes at the Pawling Library. The grant will pay a significant portion of the cost for tutoring. Additionally, expanding our ESOL offerings to include free tutoring would allow us to provide services to people who are unable to participate {in} our weekly classes for scheduling reasons or financial considerations. The time each person will receive from individual instruction shall greatly assist them in improving their abilities and open doors to opportunities in their future. With this funding we will further the development of our literacy program, reach out to more people by giving them the help they want.”
Mr. Partelow also stated, “{This} grant {will} enable us to expand the program to include one-on-one tutoring for those in need of more assistance in learning English. Our ESOL programs were requested by our patrons and the benefits to those who participate have been far-reaching, including making it possible for some individuals to find employment.”
Tutoring under this program grant will begin in July.
