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Plymouth Public Library

Literacy for Life Program

There are many different roads to success. For the past 30 years, our Literacy
Program has been a well-travelled one. It has won numerous awards; it has also
served as the model for other libraries around the country. But that’s not why we
support it. We support it because it makes a meaningful and measurable difference
in many people’s lives. It also strengthens our workforce and our community.

THE PROGRAM

What makes our program so special? First off, it is free of charge and accessible
to most Massachusetts residents over the age of sixteen. Secondly, it is the only
program in southeast Massachusetts to provide English as a Second Language (ESL)
classes for adults who want to increase their fluency in the language.

The program also includes classes for those preparing to take either the GED or
HiSET test to earn a Massachusetts High School Equivalency Diploma. The HSE
(High School Equivalency) credential is recognized and accepted by every state,
territory and jurisdiction, along with the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S.
military and other federal programs.

There are many reasons people don’t finish high school: illness,
bullying, learning disabilities and financial concerns are a few. Our
Literacy Coordinator, Kristen Enos, recently received an email from one
of her students who participated in the program. You’ll learn how the
experience is truly transforming her life on the next page. Finally, the
program integrates technology skills into its curriculum to help participants
succeed in our very digital world.

Every year, our team of qualified instructors and tutors meet hundreds of achievers
wherever they are and help get them where they want to go. Whether they are
learning a second language, earning a diploma, searching for work, preparing
for the US Citizenship test, studying for college, finding a retraining program,
developing health
and financial literacy, “The single
or acquiring other life
skills, we are here to greatest
help. indicator of
success for

children is the
literacy level of
their parents.”

8 Plymouth Public Library Foundation