The Oklahoma Department of Libraries announced that a $9,500 grant was awarded to Tulsa City-County Library’s Ruth G. Hardman Adult Literacy Service to support local adult literacy efforts.
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 Ruth G. Hardman Adult Literacy Service is a volunteer-based program that provides free literacy instruction to adults 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. Funds will be used to support adult literacy in Tulsa County.
According to Cassie Tudyk, manager of the Ruth G. Hardman Adult Literacy Service, “Even though this is a volunteer program, these funds are vital to our ability to offer quality literacy services to this community.”
Grant funds were awarded by the Literacy Resource Office, a division of the Office of Library Development. 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 Ruth G. Hardman Adult Literacy Service or to find out how to volunteer, call 918-549-7400. Visit www.odl.state.ok.us/literacy for more information on statewide literacy efforts.