Illinois Literacy

              After much hard work and with assistance from lit-eracy
practitioners across Illinois, the Secretary of
State Literacy Office’s Online Tutor Training pro-gram
was launched on January 23. Volunteer tutors
involved in the Secretary of State adult literacy pro-grams
must receive 12 hours of training before
tutoring. The Online Tutor Training program pro-vides
busy volunteers another option for obtaining
the required training. Volunteer tutors can partici-pate
in the training at their own pace and at their
convenience.
For more information about this new volunteer
training tool, please call the Literacy Office at 217-
785-6921. To become a volunteer tutor, please visit
literacy.kent.edu/illinois/providrs.htm.
This issue of Illinois Literacy highlights the many ways families are getting involved in
literacy efforts in the state. One exciting learning opportunity is the Penny Severns
Summer Family Literacy program. In its 10th year, this program has provided countless
families a unique outlet for learning through field trips, reading activities and creative
projects.
Volunteer tutor training is key to successful adult literacy programs. The Literacy
Office’s new Online Tutor Training program allows tutors to obtain training in the con-venience
of their home on their own time. This new training option opens the door for even more volunteers
so we can meet the needs of the thousands of Illinoisans who want to improve their literacy and life skills.
I thank all those Illinois libraries that have partnered with our literacy programs. Sixty-three percent of our
libraries are involved in literacy efforts, and we express our deepest appreciation for their commitment.
Jesse White
Secretary of State & State Librarian
Jesse White
Secretary of State
& State Librarian
Secretary of State Online Tutor Training launched
WINTER
2009
Waukegan Public Library tutor trainer Barbara Babb
(left) and volunteer tutor Georgia Hogan work together
on the Secretary of State’s Online Tutor Training pro-gram.
Penny Severns Summer Family Literacy Program — 2008
The Secretary of State Literacy Office celebrated
10 years of the Penny Severns Summer Family
Literacy grant program in summer 2008. The pro-gram
promotes learning during the summer
months when parents and children can learn
together in a variety of educational activities.
Fifty-four grant projects welcomed 2,284 adults
and 4,117 children in summer 2008. Here are
some of their stories:
Kishwaukee College, Malta — Families creat-ed
an Exploration Pack containing a magnifying
glass, a bug jar, a set of bug tongs, a net and
Children got a close up view of bugs through a micro-scope
at Russell Woods Nature Center.
ILLINOLIS ITERACY
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