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Enhancing Adult Literacy: Pollard Memorial Library's Comprehensive Learning Program

The Pollard Memorial Library’s Adult Literacy Program, established in 1983 and affiliated with Library Volunteers of Massachusetts, provides essential one-on-one teaching to adult learners. With 52 current learners and 49 volunteer tutors, the program focuses on English language learning, supported by extensive tutor training and a “New Reader” collection. Coordinated by Julie Iatron, the program faces high demand with an 80-person waiting list. It emphasizes cultural sensitivity and skill development in various areas, fostering community engagement and education accessibility.

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Enhancing Adult Literacy: Pollard Memorial Library's Comprehensive Learning Program

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  1. Pollard Memorial Library Adult Literacy Program

  2. The Program • The Pollard Memorial Library’s Adult Literacy Program began in 1983. • It is affiliated with the Library Volunteers of Massachusetts (LVM) • LVM does the grant writing and acquires funding for the program • They also provide training for the tutor volunteers • In return the program must comply with all Department of Education expectations

  3. The Program … • Offers one-on-one teaching • Currently has 52 learners and 49 volunteer tutors • Approximately 80 individuals are on a 6-12 month long waiting list • Most of the publicity for the Program is done by word of mouth • 90% of the students are English Language Learners.

  4. The Program continued … • The Pollard Memorial Library Adult Literacy Program Coordinator is Julie Iatron • Ms. Iatron has been a community planning librarian for four years • She spends about ten hours a week coordinating the program • She also developes a “New Reader” collection at the library, which is organized by category (e.g. citizenship, health, mathematics)

  5. Tutor Training • Tutors attend 18 hours of training • All tutors are trained by the LVM • There are separate ABE and ESOL trainings • Tutors are taught about learning disabilities, sensitivity to different cultures, and a general awareness for other factors which may affect learning • Tutors are also taught lesson planning

  6. ESOL Program • Lowell has a large Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese speaking population • Initially learners are given proficiency tests for need-assessment reasons • Learners are then matched with tutors accordingly • Learner/Tutor contracts are created early in the process (attend all sessions, meet in a public place, do not bring children) • Concurrent Conversation Circles run in four-week intervals

  7. ABE • The library coordinates with other agencies such as Lowell Adult Education. • Adult learners are tested using TABE and MAPT assessments • Many students are interested in building computer literacy and health literacy skills • There are far fewer ABE students than ESOL learners

  8. The Library Literacy connection • Non-library based programs do not always know how much the library has to offer • Tutors and librarians give tours to increase learner awareness of all the Library has to offer them • Adult Literacy Program demands often add strain to a limited library staff • Much of the Library collection is geared toward Adult literacy needs

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