The Oklahoma Department of Libraries announced that a $10,000 grant was awarded to the Wagoner Literacy Center, a project of the Wagoner Library Friends Corp. The check for the first $2,500 of this grant was officially presented by Sen. Mary Easley, who commended the literacy program for its efforts in providing basic literacy instruction to local citizens.

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 Wagoner Literacy Center 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 Wagoner County.

According to Lisette Caveny, coordinator of the Wagoner Literacy Center, “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, contact Lisette Caveny at 485-2741 or wlitgroup@ yahoo.com. For information on statewide efforts: www.odl.ok.us/literacy.