Library Services

Me, Too . . .
Adults talk about learning to read.

Introduction

It is not every day that a library director can speak proudly about his or her library's successful literacy services. I can realistically say that the Library Literacy Connection's services have filled a gap in the Mansfield/Richland county community. The Mansfield/Richland County Public Library is committed to bringing adult learners and volunteer tutors together for furthering reading capabilities as literacy becomes more and more an essential part of a successful life.The testimonies in this book speak of the self determination, the motivation and the success of individuals who have overcome great obstacles in order to be able to read. The goal of the individual adult learner is the goal of the Library Literacy Connection, whether it be to read on-the-job instructions, the newspaper or Bible. I admire the determination of the learner and the dedication of the volunteer. Their work will benefit the entire community. Functionally literate members of society improve the work force, the economy, and provide knowledgeable voters on issues that affect all of us.I hope that you, the reader, by reading this book will come to more fully understand the problems of illiteracy and how it hurts our society as a whole. Success in eradication illiteracy can only happen if the entire community recognizes the problem and supports individual literacy programs.

Joseph C. Palmer,
Library Director, M/RCPL