The Library System will use these funds to build innovative literacy services for adult English language learners, including purchasing needed literacy materials for citizenship classes and Conversational Café classes, as well as high interest books categorized as Adult New Readers.

For more than a century, public libraries have been a cornerstone of the American Dream, providing equal access to information of all kinds. In fact, libraries are among the first American institutions immigrants turn to for help in learning how to read, write and speak English. The 2005 National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) found that 1 in 20 US adults have such limited English skills that they can’t read a newspaper or help their children with schoolwork.

“The American Library Association deeply appreciates Dollar General’s generous support and applauds their vision for a more literate America,” said Dr. Camila Alire, ALA 2009-2010 President. “The American Dream Starts @ your library serves 70 communities, reaches thousands of adults, and helps libraries change lives across generations.” A complete list of the winning libraries is available at http://www.ala.org/americandream