The Oklahoma Department of Libraries announced that two literacy grants have been awarded to the Southern Prairie Library System and the Great Plains Literacy Council. These have included a $10,000 Library Literacy Grant and a $10,000 Community Literacy Grant to support local adult literacy efforts. The checks were officially presented by State Senator Mike Schulz and Representative David Braddock, who commended the library system and the literacy program for their efforts in providing basic literacy instruction to local citizens.

“We appreciate the state legislators who make this annual appropriation possible,” said Kathy Hale, Director of the Southern Prairie Library System. “The funding provides staff salary, equipment, materials, and supplies to benefit the adult learners.

According to the 2003 Oklahoma State Assessment of Adult Literacy, 12 percent of Oklahomans over the age of 16 read at Below Basic Level, with another 31 percent of adults having only the most Basic reading skills. Individuals at these levels often face significant obstacles when trying to succeed in the workplace, community, and everyday life.

The Southern Prairie Library System serves residents of Jackson and Harmon County. The Great Plains Literacy Council is a volunteer based program that provides free literacy instruction to adults (age 16 and older) who want to improve their reading and writing skills. Learners work one-to-one with a trained tutor using a variety of teaching methods and materials.

According to Ida Fay Winters, coordinator of the Great Plains Literacy Council, she said that even though the literacy program depends on volunteers, these funds are vital to their ability to offer quality literacy services to the community.”

The Literacy Resource Office, a division of the Office of Library Development, made the selection for the grants based on applications this summer. State funding appropriated by the Oklahoma Legislature, not only provides literacy grants to programs throughout the state, but provides ongoing technical assistance, training, and resources to support local adult literacy efforts.

For more information about the library or the literacy program, or to find out how to volunteer, call 580-477-2890. For information on statewide literacy efforts visit www.odl.state.ok.us/literacy