Conversation Circles for English Language Learners - twice weekly
Conversation Circles are a safe and inclusive space where English Language Learners of all levels can come to practice their English. Anyone can join; you do not have to be a member of the literacy program. Conversation Circles are held twice a week:
- In person: At Literacy, Outreach & Volunteer Services:
- Tuesday Evenings: July 1, 15, 29; Aug. 5, 19 | 4:00p.m. - 5:30p.m. | No preregistration required.
- Tuesday Mornings: July 8, 22; Aug. 12, 26 | 9:00a.m. - 10:30a.m. | No preregistration required.
- Virtually: On Zoom | Every Wednesday at 12:00p.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Register HERE to get the Zoom link before the class begins.
Adult Literacy Book Club - monthly
Active tutors and learners are welcome to join us on the last Monday of the month* for our Literacy Book Club. Always 6:30-8pm at 2901 S. Harvard Ave. A new book, accessible for all learners, will be assigned to read each month. Books are provided through Literacy Book Club are free and yours to keep! Attendees do not have to have complete the book to attend the Literacy Book Club and join in on the discussion and fun activities provided.
Contact Literacy Specialist, Jolene White for more information: 918-549-7402.
*There will be no Book Club in December.
VERSES - Annual Event
Mark your calendars now! This fall, we invite you to attend VERSES - a celebration of poetry, art, community and literacy in all its forms! On Saturday, September 27th, Central Library will transform into an enchanting night market featuring local small-press and independently published authors, artists and a variety of local vendors. Live poetry readings and spoken word performances will take place throughout the evening, and guests will enjoy food and beverages from a variety of Tulsa eateries.
VERSES is an exciting community event benefiting the Ruth G. Hardman Adult Literacy Service. VERSES is a ticketed event with accessible ticket pricing and a variety of opportunities to support literacy in our community. We hope you’ll plan to join us as we spotlight our adult literacy program, raise awareness on crucial literacy issues, and support our thriving local creative communities!
Monthly Tutor Meetups
Monthly Tutor Meetups: Meet other adult literacy tutors in a casual & informal setting. Learn from other tutors and share resources, tips and encouragement! Always the 1st Saturday of the month, 10:00a.m.-Noon. Location: Fulton Street Books & Coffee: 21 N. Greenwood Ave.
Visit us on Facebook
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TCCLliteracy
Keep up with all the Literacy news, upcoming events and delightful library-related memes and gifs through our Facebook page!
Join our Private Facebook Group
Private Tutor Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rghtutors
This group is for tutors in the adult literacy program at the Tulsa City-County Library. This is a space to share experiences, resources, and support! Moderated by Literacy staff.
Mandy Durham - Literacy Manager
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Sarah Thrower - Administrative Assistant
Sarah began her library journey back in 1999 as a wee, Shelver at the Central Library. Over her 25 years with TCCL, she's been in various public service positions, but her favorite role has been her 10+ years as the Administrative Assistant for the Literacy Program. First, from 2004-2014. Then, after another stint of public library service roles, she returned to Literacy in early 2022.
Sarah tends to be the first contact that both tutors and learners have when reaching the Literacy Office for the first time, whether by phone or email. She primarily performs general, secretarial tasks like answering the phones, maintaining paper and digital files, and collecting volunteer hours from active tutors, but her favorite task is matching volunteer tutors to adult learners! She also manages our Facebook page (follow us at: facebook.com/TCCLliteracy).
Reach Sarah by email: Sarah.Thrower@tulsalibrary.org
Alisa Brooks - Computer & Technology Assistant
Meet Alisa Brooks, our Literacy Computer Assistant who has been a dedicated member of the adult literacy program for over two decades.
Alisa conducts orientations for each of our new learners. She explains the program with patience and care, so they feel comfortable and supported from the start. As part of the orientation, she makes sure learners understand how to use our online learning resources to get started with independent study right away. She also offers occasional computer classes for learners and tutors and tries to make even intimidating technology feel approachable
In addition to her role in the literacy program, Alisa works in the library's volunteer office, helping to coordinate and support our wonderful volunteers. Outside of work, she loves to travel, paint, and has recently taken up sewing.
Reach Alisa by email: Alisa.Brooks@tulsalibrary.org
Jolene White - Literacy Specialist
Jolene joined the Literacy team in August 2022, bringing with her 25+ years of training experience in a multi-client call center environment. Though no longer in a corporate business setting, Jolene’s knowledge of adult learning theories and strategies readily transferred to her Literacy Specialist role.
As a Literacy Specialist, Jolene facilitates intake sessions, conducts initial lesson plan meetings and provides support to both ‘basic’ and ELL tutor pairs. She, along with her ELL counterpart, Fatima Zehra, plan and facilitate tutor workshops designed to introduce tutors to adult learning theories and strategies. Jolene also facilitates the monthly Literacy Book Club.
Reach Jolene by email: Jolene.White@tulsalibrary.org
Fatima Zehra - Literacy Specialist
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ProLiteracy.org
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Our mission is to advance yours. We provide funding, comprehensive training and professional learning, approachable research, and leading-edge digital and print learning resources through New Readers Press to maximize your impact.
Oklahoma Literacy Coalition
The Oklahoma Literacy Coalition (OLC) champions the ongoing development of adult literacy services through:
- Offering one-day symposiums and an annual conference to provide continuing education for tutors, educators, adult learners, and literacy leaders,
- Recognizing outstanding achievements of adult learners,
- Collaborating with organizations to develop resources for local literacy,
- Awarding grants and offers high school equivalency exam reimbursements to organizational members, and
- Providing information and a forum for idea exchange through a website, social media and the annual statewide literacy conference.
- Advocating for a more literate Oklahoma
Oklahoma Department of Libraries
ODL partners with libraries, non-profits and other organizations across Oklahoma to promote literacy.
As our world relies more and more on technology, and society is bombarded with text in a wide array of formats, the ability to read is more critical than ever. Children who fall behind when learning to read often become adults with literacy problems. Learning to read as an adult can be a challenging process due to work, family, and other pressing commitment—however, the rewards can be life changing. As one adult learner wrote, “I’ve changed for the better and I’ve come a long way. I read with confidence. I feel better about myself. I see myself as a different person, still being challenged, but now working through it, not running away like before.”