Literacy Program
BRADFORD-WYOMING COUNTY LITERACY PROGRAM
Bradford County Library
RR 3, Box 320
Troy, Pennsylvania 16947
Phone: (570) 297-3375
Fax: (570) 297-4197
E-Mail: literacy@bradfordcountylibrary.org
The Bradford- Wyoming Co. Literacy Program, headquartered at the Bradford Co. Library, trains volunteer tutors and provides free and confidential "one to one" tutoring for adults and teenagers in basic reading and writing skills and English as a second language (ESL).
THE PROBLEM
According to the National Adult Literacy Survey of 1993, conducted by the U.S. Dept. of Education, 90 million adults (almost 50% of the nations 190 million adults) are "quite limited" in their ability to derive accurate information from printed material. Of these, approximately 44 million adults scored in the lowest skill level.
On the local level, the 1990 census found that 10,937 Bradford Co. adults over 18 years old do not have a high school diploma. In Wyoming Co. 4,414 adults over age 18 do not have a high school diploma.
"Literacy" as defined in the National Literacy Act of 1991 means an individual’s ability to read, write, and speak in English, and compute and solve problems at levels of proficiency necessary to function on the job and in society, to achieve one’s goals, and develop one’s knowledge and potential.
THE PROGRAM
Headquartered at the Bradford Co. Library, the Bradford-Wyoming County Literacy Program trains volunteer tutors and provides free and confidential "one to one" tutoring for adults and teenagers who lack basic reading skills or who want to learn English as a Second Language. An affiliate of Laubach Literacy Action, the Bradford-Wyoming Co. Literacy Program began in 1980 as a special project of the Friends of the Bradford Co. Library. Since 1987 the program has received Act 143 Adult Literacy funds from the PA Dept. of Education. Also the Literacy Program is a member agency of the Central Bradford Co. United Way, the Valley United Way, and the Wyoming Co. United Way.
THE TUTORS
Volunteers are required to attend a twelve hour training workshop which is scheduled several times a year in various communities. Previous teaching experience is unnecessary. If you read, write, and care, you can help.
The student and tutor meet at a time and place convenient for both. Tutors are asked to commit themselves to meeting once or twice a week with their student. Tutoring usually takes place at a neutral location, such as a church, school or library. Tutors receive on-going support from Literacy Program staff and have opportunities for further training on local, regional, state, and national levels. They also receive the bi-monthly newsletter, "One to One News."
THE STUDENTS
The program is open to any adult or teenager who happens to lack basic reading or writing skills or who wants to learn English as a Second Language. A student may enter the program at any time. The first step is an assessment and interview with Literacy Program staff to help plan the student’s program. Students are able to work toward their goals, whether that goal is to get a driver’s license, read to their children, or to complete a job application. The Literacy Program provides materials for the student, and supplementary materials are available on loan from the Bradford Co. Library. Students have the opportunity, if they choose, to participate in student support groups. They also receive a bi-monthly newsletter, "New Readers News."
PROGRAM STAFF
Sherry Spencer
Director
Zelmy Arbona
Administrative Assistant
Sheryl Deibler
Student/Tutor Coordinator
Linda Hilscher
