These funds will enable the Guilderland Public Library and its partner, Literacy Volunteers—Mohawk/Hudson, Inc., to develop a new and more effective model for training English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) tutors, to recruit and train new volunteers to serve as ESOL tutors, to hold workshops on Workplace and Health Literacy, and to work with the Library in developing a website for ESOL tutors and students to use. The grant will also fund the purchase of many new ESOL materials for the Library’s collection.

Members of the Guilderland community interested in becoming an ESOL tutor and being part of this wonderful initiative can join a tutor-training session to be held in September and October at the Library. After training, tutors be matched with a student; many tutor/student pairs work right at the Library, using one of the study rooms. The training takes place during six workshops, all from 9:30 am-noon: Sept 17, 24, October 1, 8, 15, and 29. Register by calling Literacy Volunteers - Mohawk/Hudson, Inc. at 452-3382.

The Guilderland Public Library was awarded the grant because it demonstrated a need to provide literacy services to adult immigrants and a need to expand and/or add resources and services for adult English language learners.

“We’re very pleased to receive this grant. It gives us resources we need to engage volunteers in making a difference throughout the community. And it’s exciting to be part of this nationwide program,” said Maria Buhl, the Adult Services librarian at the Guilderland Public Library who will administer the program. The funded libraries represent communities in 18 states – Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin - ranging from large urban areas to small, rural towns. A complete list of the winning libraries is available at www.ala.org.

Public libraries have long been a cornerstone of the American dream, providing equal access to information. It is one of the first places to which many immigrants turn for help in learning to read, write and speak English.

“As a longtime supporter of literacy and education, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to fund the ‘American Dream’ grant initiative,” said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General’s CEO. “Public libraries are in a unique position to directly reach immigrants and help them assimilate into a new community. These grants will enable local libraries to provide the English language literacy services most needed in their area.”

The National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) recently found that 11 million U.S. adults or approximately one in 20, most of whom are immigrants, have such limited English skills that they can’t read a newspaper, understand the directions for medication or help their children with schoolwork. “The American Dream Starts @ your library” grant was founded by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and ALA to meet the growing demand for English language literacy services.

About the American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 65,000 members. Its mission is to promote the highest quality library and information services and public access to information. For more information visit www.ala.org.

About Dollar General
Dollar General is a leading discount retailer with more than 8,000 neighborhood stores. Dollar General stores provide convenience and value to customers by offering consumable basic items such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids and cleaning supplies, as well as basic apparel, house wares and seasonal items at everyday low prices. The company has a longstanding tradition of supporting literacy and education. In 2007, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation awarded more than $5.7 million in grants to 407 nonprofit organizations, helping more than 300,000 individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency. To learn more about Dollar General, visit www.dollargeneral.com. Dollar General is a partner of the Campaign For America’s Libraries, a multi-year public education campaign sponsored by the American Library Association to speak loudly and clearly about the value of libraries and librarians in the 21^st Century.