Two Librarians & A Microphone

San Jose Public Library, located in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, expanded their Partners in Reading program to better serve the unique needs of their community. Their adult literacy program, Empowerment Through Writing, gives adults who read below ninth grade level a chance to improve their reading and writing skills. By participating, learners are able to share their story, put their words to paper, and present their narrative in an emotional and powerful event during International Literacy Day. Not only are the majority of those in this program learning English, how to reading, AND how to writing, for the very first time, they’re also overcoming the fear, guilt, and angst they have carried with them as they disguised a gap in their lives. The literacy team breaks down those barriers.