Literacy: An Essential Tool For Life*

Imagine moving to a foreign country and trying to go about ordinary, everyday tasks without being able to read or write the language of that country. Imagine trying to find a job if you only know a bare minimum of words in that language. Imagine trying to attend school in a foreign country without understanding the language. Every day, in the North Hills area, immigrants arrive who are eager to learn and eager to contribute to society and become American citizens, but they need assistance in learning to read and write in English. Some immigrants arrive in our country with fluent skills in English but their family members lack the language skills that will allow them to thrive in our society. Northland Public Library recognizes the absolute value of literacy skills in the life of its community and partners with the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council by providing free space for GPLC tutors who teach English as a Second Language. On Saturday, October 11 and Saturday, October 18, the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council and Northland Public Library will co-sponsor a free volunteer tutor training workshop at the library. If you would like to share the gift of literacy by helping an adult in our community with English language skills, please contact Anita at 412-393-7645 or at acohen@gplc.org for more information and/or to register.