Dollar General Literacy Foundation provides funding for libraries to develop literacy programs for adult English language learners.
Four South Carolina public libraries have been selected by the American Library Association (ALA) to receive $5,000 grants as part of "The American Dream Starts @ your library®" literacy initiative. This initiative is funded by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. The libraries that will receive the award in South Carolina are the Abbeville County Library, Dillon County Library, Dorchester County Library, and Sumter County Library.
The grant recipients include libraries in large cities and rural towns throughout Dollar General's market area. The grant funds will be used by the libraries to build innovative literacy services for adult English language learners living and working in their communities. The libraries will expand their print and digital literacy collections, offer classes and conversation clubs, develop mobile tech labs and reach out to immigrant organizations. A complete list of the winning libraries is available at www.ala.org/americandream.
"The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to join with the ALA to provide grants to libraries that are committed to enhancing their literacy services for those learning to speak English," said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General's chairman and CEO. "These specialized programs and services will help so many achieve their own dreams of success in America."
For more than a century, public libraries have been a cornerstone of the American Dream, providing equal access to information of all kinds. Libraries are among the first American institutions immigrants turn to for help in learning how to read, write and speak English. Libraries are uniquely positioned to help immigrants adapt to a new culture and connect with their new communities.
"The American Dream Starts @ your library serves 70 communities, reaches thousands of adults, and helps libraries change lives across generations." said Dr. Camila Alire, ALA 2009-2010 President. "The American Library Association deeply appreciates Dollar General's generous support and applauds their vision for a more literate America."
The 2005 National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) found that 11 million US adults -- about one in 20 -- have such limited English skills that they can't read a newspaper, understand the directions for medication, or help their children with schoolwork. Recent immigrants account for most of this group. To meet this need, ALA and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation joined together to start "The American Dream Starts @ your library®" literacy initiative.
Four South Carolina public libraries have been selected by the American Library Association (ALA) to receive $5,000 grants as part of "The American Dream Starts @ your library®" literacy initiative. This initiative is funded by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. The libraries that will receive the award in South Carolina are the Abbeville County Library, Dillon County Library, Dorchester County Library, and Sumter County Library.
The grant recipients include libraries in large cities and rural towns throughout Dollar General's market area. The grant funds will be used by the libraries to build innovative literacy services for adult English language learners living and working in their communities. The libraries will expand their print and digital literacy collections, offer classes and conversation clubs, develop mobile tech labs and reach out to immigrant organizations. A complete list of the winning libraries is available at www.ala.org/americandream.
"The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to join with the ALA to provide grants to libraries that are committed to enhancing their literacy services for those learning to speak English," said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General's chairman and CEO. "These specialized programs and services will help so many achieve their own dreams of success in America."
For more than a century, public libraries have been a cornerstone of the American Dream, providing equal access to information of all kinds. Libraries are among the first American institutions immigrants turn to for help in learning how to read, write and speak English. Libraries are uniquely positioned to help immigrants adapt to a new culture and connect with their new communities.
"The American Dream Starts @ your library serves 70 communities, reaches thousands of adults, and helps libraries change lives across generations." said Dr. Camila Alire, ALA 2009-2010 President. "The American Library Association deeply appreciates Dollar General's generous support and applauds their vision for a more literate America."
The 2005 National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) found that 11 million US adults -- about one in 20 -- have such limited English skills that they can't read a newspaper, understand the directions for medication, or help their children with schoolwork. Recent immigrants account for most of this group. To meet this need, ALA and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation joined together to start "The American Dream Starts @ your library®" literacy initiative.
