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The library began its adult literacy program in 1985. Project
Read-Menlo Park usually has over 220 learners and 140
volunteer tutors. It has helped more than 1200 adults learn
to read.
Participation
in Project Read is completely confidential. Learners achieve their
personal goals with the help of carefully matched Project Read
tutors.
The project provides FREE training
to volunteer tutors who help adults learn to read and write. During
the 12-hour training session, volunteer tutors learn methods of
teaching and assisting adult learners in achieving their goals.
Tutors and adult learners decide
together the specific times and places they will meet. Generally,
they meet twice weekly for 1 to 1-1/2 hours each meeting.
Materials are provided and there is a staffed Computer Lab at
the library for computer-assisted instruction. Volunteers come
from a variety of backgrounds. The only requirement is the ability
to read and write and a willingness to share these skills with
someone requesting help.
Project
Read-Menlo Park is currently running four different but related
programs:
ABE Program
(Adult Basic Education)
The Adult Basic Education program
provides tutors for functionally illiterate adults whose first
language is English, or who have a near native command of spoken
English.
ESL Program
( English as a Second Language)
This program works with adults whose
first language is not English and who lack basic skills in reading
and writing English.
FFL Program
(Families For Literacy)
Targets parents with low literacy
skills. This program supports the important connection between
an adult's emerging literacy skills and the transference of these
skills to their children. Families for Literacy is designed
to encourage and assist parents in taking their rightful place
as their child's first and most important teacher. Through
storytimes at the library, a gift book program designed to help
families build a library at home, and adult literacy materials
designed especially for parents, the intergenerationalcycle of
illiteracy can be broken. Special programs and services
are also offered throughout the year, including Family Computer
Night; NELLA (Nutrition Education for Low-Literate Adults) which
provides workshops, computer programs, and nutrition kits for
use in classrooms and small groups -- all designed to encourage
more healthful eating; and Distance Learning coursework for parents
unable to attend regular tutoring sessions.
Workplace
Literacy Program
More and more workplaces are finding
themselves with a work force that cannot communicate in English
well enough to contribute to the efficient operation of their
companies. Project Read arranges to teach reading and writing
on site to employees of local businesses.
