Brown's Plan Puts Adult Literacy Program in Jeopardy: State money funds much of the free literacy program at the Glendora Public Library.
Glendora Patch: January 11, 2011 by Hazel Lodevico-To'o
They come to the Glendora Public Library to learn how to read. But for the 40 adults enrolled in the library’s Adult Literacy Program, the free program that has helped them learn basic reading skills could soon be on the chopping block.
Governor Jerry Brown unveiled a drastic plan yesterday that proposes to cut state spending by $12.5 billion to close a $25 billion shortfall. Among the items curtailed was $30.4 million in local library funding.
For the Glendora Public Library, 140 S. Glendora Ave., that means up to $70,000 of state funding that will be reduced or eliminated following implementation of Gov. Brown’s proposed plan. Much of that funding goes to the library’s Adult Literacy Program, which has offered free literacy training for adults for nearly 20 years.
“This is going to be a blow for us,” said Library Director Robin Weed-Brown. She said the reduced state funding puts even more strain on the library’s budget, adding that the library has already reduced employee hours and has cut 64 percent of its book budget over the last fiscal year. With the loss of state funding, the library may see further cuts to part-time staff.
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Should the library eliminate the Literacy Program, it would be an unfortunate loss for the students and their families, said assistant director Anne Pankow.
“This would greatly impact their lives,” said Pankow. “Many of them are married, and they have children. We take for granted the ability to read, but it’s so crucial in our everyday lives.”
One part-time coordinator supervises and trains a group of volunteer tutors. Students enrolled in the program call and make individual appointments with their tutor.
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For more information on the Adult Literacy Program, call 626-852-4897. READ MORE !
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