The following is from the South Orange Public Library:
The South Orange Public Library has been awarded a 2016 Literacy Grant in the amount of $2,500 to help build its literacy collection. Funds were made available from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the New Jersey State Library.
The variety of materials acquired using this grant money will support community literacy needs, such as GED and other test books, immigration and citizenship information, and workforce and financial literacy materials.
The library became eligible for the 2016 Literacy Grant when Head of Reference & Library Services Lindita Cani attended the first NJSL Literacy Boot Camp in 2015.
“The Literacy Boot Camp was a great opportunity to learn about best practices and leadership skills from the experts in the field, as well as share ideas and network with fellow librarians,” said Cani. “Libraries have become an ideal setting for adult literacy services, and as an increasing number of adults use the library’s computers and print materials to apply for jobs, take tests or learn new skills, librarians need to come up with new ways to meet the needs of the community.”
This grant supplements our existing literacy resources. The Library, in partnership with the Literacy Volunteers of America, offers one-on-one tutoring for ESL students. A volunteer-run summer conversation group has been held for 8 weeks to raise awareness for a more regular semester-long conversation group in September. In addition, we have partnered with Maplewood Public Library to make the online tool Mango Languages available to our patrons.
For more information, please contact Lindita Cani at 973-762-0230 or by email at lcani@sopl.org.
