Clinton County Adult Literacy Program

The Clinton County Adult Literacy Program provides one-on-one and tutoring to adults 18 and over who want to improve their English reading, writing, and speaking skills. Our program started in 1985 at the Frankfort Community Public Library.  All of the materials and instruction are free of charge to our students and our volunteer tutors. Our program uses the "Laubach" and the “Lifeprints” curriculum from New Readers Press. Our tutors also employ appropriate “real life” resources, such as, newspapers, menus, magazines, clocks, and job applications in their teaching.

In 1995, we began a Jail Literacy Program, where we offer GED instruction and a "Lifeskills" program to inmates at the Clinton County Jail.  The "Lifeskills" program focuses on topics such as addictive behavior, anger management, communication, conflict resolution, drug and alcohol abuse and success after prison.

Our program is funded by the in-kind donations of office space, telephone, fax, and copies by the Frankfort Community Public Library and since 1988, the United Way.  We are also funded by grants and private donations.

In 2008, we served 140 students with 25 volunteer tutors.

Speaker's Bureau

The Literacy Program is part of the Frankfort Community Public Library's Speaker's Bureau.  We can speak to your group or organization on a variety of literacy topics including: "The Importance of American Citizenship to You," "Why English is So Difficult to Learn," and "Literacy in the Workplace: How to Recognize People Who Can't Read."

A topic can also be tailored for your specific group with
advance notice.  Please email Kim Redington at
adultlit@accs.net to schedule a free presentation.

Since 1999 we've given the Jack O'Neill Award for Outstanding Service to the Literacy Program to someone in the Program.  Previous winners include:

1999  Ann Burgen, Former Literacy Program Director

2000  Mary Jane Greene, Volunteer Tutor

2001  Janis Brodrick, Volunteer Tutor

2002  Thelma Baldwin, Volunteer Tutor

2003  Sandra Lewis, Volunteer Tutor

2004  Sally Morgan, Volunteer Tutor

2005  Noemi Ordaz, Former Student and Translator

2006  Norma Pierce, Volunteer Tutor

2007  Leah Borntrager and Sandy Meyer, Steering
           Committee members

2008  Jo Ellen Clark, Volunteer Tutor & Steering Committee
           Member

2009  Anne Campbell, Volunteer Tutor & Steering Committee
           Member