Adult Literacy Program and New Tutor Training.

The Lake County Library System is proud to offer a FREE Adult Literacy Program for adults interested in improving their English literacy skills.

The Adult Literacy Program is designed to provide literacy services to adults who need help to improve their conversation, reading, writing, or comprehension skills. Through the Adult Literacy Program, trained volunteer tutors meet weekly with adult learners at their local library for one-to-one sessions and small group classes at no cost to the learner. The adult learner, with the guidance of the tutor, identifies his/her learning goals and sets the pace to achieving them.

The US Department of Education recently released the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy Survey results, which reported that roughly 1 in 6 adults have below basic literacy skills and that American business spends $16.6 billion each year on employees who lack basic skills in reading, writing, and math. As I am sure you are aware, when our workforce does not have the basic skills needed to successfully complete job duties or communicate with the public, we all suffer. We feel that the adult literacy program benefits the employees, the employer, as well as the entire community.

Currently we have 91 trained volunteer tutors and 512 adult learners, many on a waiting list, enrolled in the program. Since January 2007 the volunteer tutors have generously donated over 4,200 hours in literacy instruction and lesson preparation. Without these dedicated volunteers the program would not be able to provide a free literacy program to Lake County adults interested in improving their English skills.

So, if you are over the age of 18 and looking to get involved in your community and you are able to donate a minimum of 2-3 hours per week to assist an adult learner, this is your opportunity!

Sign up today for hte next new tutor training, which will be held on February 23rd from 9am - 3 pm and February 25th and 27th from 5:30 pm - 9 pm at the Leesburg Public Library. Attendance at all three sessions is required for new tutors.

Contact your local library or call 352-253-6183 to register. Seats are limited.

See our website for more information at:

http://www.lakeline.lib.fl.us/programs_and_services/family_literacy

_program/adultlit.aspx