Hollister
– The adult literacy program at the San Benito County Free
Library is about to get an influx of money.
Hollister – The adult literacy program at the San Benito County Free Library is about to get an influx of money.
The library has been awarded a $28,000 grant through the California State Library for its adult literacy program, which was launched in January. The library also received a $4,000 donation from the Friends of the Library to support the same program.
The library needs the money in order to provide materials for the literacy program, which has grown to 14 tutors and 17 learners since its launch. There is already a waiting list for the program, and it is expected to continue to grow once word of its availability spreads.
The money will be used to acquire reading materials and teaching supplies, as well as some larger pieces of equipment, such as a computer and DVD player to enhance learning and facilitate tutor training.
The library was notified in late March that it would get the grant and should receive the money sometime in late April, County Librarian Nora Conte said.
The grant was specifically created to target adult learners, said Jacquie Brinkley, the library programs consultant with the California State Library.
In order to receive the grant, the library must be able to show community support and be able to raise some local funding.
“We look for local input and local resources as well,” Brinkley said.
There are 105 other libraries in the state that also receive the funding. San Benito County is one of only five new recipients this year. The library can reapply for the grant each year.
Since receiving notification that the San Benito County Free Library was a grant recipient, Conte has been working on creating a plan for how the money will be spent.
“We have a significant amount of money to be spent, so we’re moving quickly,” Conte said.
Conte said she had spent some time visiting the Salinas Public Library, where there is a well-established adult literacy program. Conte said this has helped her form some ideas for how to develop the local program, but she does not want to simply model the program after another library.
“We want to create a program that’s tailor-made to the adult literacy needs of San Benito County,” Conte said.
Alice Joy covers education for the Free Lance. She can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 336 or at aj**@fr***********.com.
