SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The Maplewood Memorial Library and the South Orange Public Library each received $2,500 in grants from the New Jersey State Library to expand their adult literacy collections.
Both libraries became eligible for the awards last year after sending representatives to the NJSL’s first Literacy Boot Camp, a four-part seminar that trained library professionals from throughout the state about how to best engage patrons without basic reading or English skills in literacy programs. They were two of 18 libraries to receive grant money from the state library, which had received the funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
The monies come at a perfect time for the MML, according to Maplewood Library Director Sarah Lester. On June 1, the library’s Hilton branch launched four free, professionally-taught English as a second language courses and two conversation groups after receiving a $72,053 grant from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Adult Literacy and Community Partnership Pilot Program. And while that grant covered the cost of class materials, Lester said this $2,500 award will allow the library to purchase GED books, test prep supplies and other materials encouraging lifelong learning for the program’s students and general patrons.
For that, Lester said the MML is grateful.
“Our grants are very important to us,” Lester told the News-Record in a July 21 phone interview, explaining that outside funding is essential to providing literacy services. “Without the grants that we received from the Department of Labor and from the state library we would not be able to offer ESL classes or additional ESL materials. So this is huge.”
Lester also praised the NJSL for offering its Literacy Boot Camp and all the opportunities that came with it. Not only was the MML able to obtain the $2,500 grant because of it, she said it also learned about the LWD Department’s $72,053 grant through it. Plus, she said the Maplewood library was able to network with other libraries and literacy service providers during the four days of workshops and speakers. In fact, she said the camp allowed it to develop a stronger relationship with the Literacy Volunteers of America, which is now the MML’s partner in running the ESL classes.
That relationship has proved fortuitous for all involved. According to Lester, 32 students are currently enrolled in the ESL program, while many more are eagerly awaiting registration in September for the next session. She said the MML is happy to see so many taking advantage of the program, and is pleased to be able to offer such a resource.
The South Orange Public Library also has many educational programs, hosting ESL one-on-one tutoring sessions run by the Literacy Volunteers of America, tutoring sessions for nursing students and basic computer classes. SOPL Head of Reference and Library Services Lindita Cani added that many people use its materials for ESL, test preparation, obtaining citizenship and finding a job. Cani said the library plans to use its $2,500 grant to purchase more items for those collections.
In the future, Cani said the SOPL hopes to establish an ongoing ESL conversation group, with a regular semesterlong group planned for September. She hopes that many people will take advantage of the opportunity, as there are so many in the community can use the help. But she also knows that jobs and other aspects of life can get in the way of people seeking the support they need. This program looks to make the value of an ESL education readily at hand, Cani said.
“Having been in their shoes many years ago, I know firsthand that you need the service now,” Cani told the News-Record in a July 25 email. “At this point in life you don’t have the luxury of standing by.”
ESL is indeed becoming a big issue locally. According to a 2015 U.S. Census survey, one in four New Jersey homes speaks a language other than English. And a 2014 U.S. Census survey found that 18.5 percent of Maplewood’s population and 14.7 percent of South Orange’s population speak a foreign language.
Literacy is another big issue affecting the state. The latest study to show literacy statistics from New Jersey specifically — 2003’s National Assessment of Adult Literacy — found that 17 percent of state residents lacked basic literacy skills. The results for Essex County showed 28 percent of residents were without basic literacy skills.
And as the need for ESL and literacy instruction continues to rise, more and more people are turning to their local libraries for help. That is exactly why the NJSL has offered its Literacy Boot Camp, according to Diversity and Literacy Services consultant Mimi Lee. By offering workshops and guest speakers to the 23 participating New Jersey librarians, Lee said the program was intended to provide attendees with the knowledge of how to build successful literacy and ESL programs.
And now that the participating librarians have that foundation, Lee said she wants to see them customize it to their own communities.
“I’d love to see them more proactive in planning other literacy services in their communities,” Lee told the News-Record in a July 21 phone interview, emphasizing the importance of being sensitive to the library patrons’ needs. “Unless you engage your community members by getting their needs and input, you won’t address the issues within the community. So in order to make successful programs — it doesn’t matter if it’s ESL, GED, literacy or cultural/arts programs — you have to reflect the needs of the community.”
As for the NJSL’s own programming, Lee said she hopes to continue hosting Literacy Boot Camps for as long as funding will allow. She also said the NJSL recently offered literacy tutor training to anyone who participated in the boot camp, and it plans to partner with Literacy New Jersey to host tutor training sessions for anyone interested within the next fiscal year.
The NJSL will likely have two loyal customers in the Maplewood and South Orange libraries; both Lester and Cani praised the institution for providing so many helpful resources to local libraries like their own, and they intend to continue taking advantage of those resources to benefit their patrons.
Photos Courtesy of Mimi Lee
Towns’ libraries receive grants to promote literacy, ESL added by Sean Quinn on
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