The Pawling Library is Awarded Additional Grants

The Pawling Library is Awarded Additional Grants

By Donald Partelow

 
The Pawling Library was awarded two grants, one that provides free basic computer instruction, and another which has allowed us to continue to offer free ESOL tutoring. Both of these programs began in September and are helping to promote literacy in our community.
 
We believe that those attending our basic computer course will be instilled with a greater sense of confidence through the knowledge acquired by attending this program. This service will be a great help to them in the many aspects of life in which use of a computer has become essential, enabling participants to enjoy a bigger world through access to social media, entertainment, and study. Students will improve or attain new skills, that would benefit them at home or if they are looking to reenter the working environment. Classes are held twice a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 7:00-8:00 pm, with the exception of the second Thursday of the month.  Our instructor is Carl Traina.
 
A new semester of adult English classes also began in September through a partnership with Dutchess Community College. We are very pleased that the people who enroll in this program will now have further opportunity to learn. Still, we felt this was not enough, and wanted to do more to promote literacy. With the added free tutoring program our library is able to make available two excellent resources to assist people in our community. From September to May 2020 one-on-one ESOL tutoring will be available. The classes are for one hour and take place after the morning adult English classes on Tuesdays & Thursdays, from 1:00-4:00 pm. Dates of tutoring varies each month, and our online calendar provides an up-to-date listing. The instructor from Dutchess Community College is Karina Cerna. Free tutoring is especially important for those who are not able to attend the group English classes. Providing as much individual instruction that the grant will allow makes a great difference to the speed with which people achieve fluency, and each achievement affects many lives: that of the student, his or her family, and those who are looking for conscientious employees in our area. It is a vital resource to the community which is why we wish to continue to expand the development of our literacy program.
 
The Pawling Library helps many people in many ways; one way is through these educational programs. The more we reach out, the more people are aided. Helping people is why we are here. The free basic computer classes and ESOL tutoring is a wonderful gift to students and to our library, allowing us to feel we have made a further positive impact on the lives of our patrons. We not only are promoting literacy at our library but sending a message to the people in need in our community that we care.

Author: Harlem Valley News