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Watauga Public Library's Youth Librarian, Linda Evers, was recognized at the North Texas Regional Library Systems (NTRLS) annual awards ceremony on May 28, 2009.  Mrs. Evers was nominated for and won the prestigious "Library Employee Award". This award recognizes superior achievement and outstanding leadership in the Library field. Her enthusiasm, dedication and commitment to the youth of this community is inspiring and infectious. She is an outstanding member of the Watauga Public Library team.  In recognition of this honor, Mayor Harry Jeffries presented Mrs. Evers with a Certificate of Recognition at the May 18, 2009 City Council Meeting.

Linda Evers	Mayor Jeffries & Linda Evers	Award

 

“Target the World:  Start at the Watauga Public Library” is part of ongoing efforts by Target to strengthen families and communities through the country.  Through the use of this grant, bilingual story times and family programs will be made available to library patrons.  Consult the library calendar for upcoming events.

 In December 2009, the North Texas Regional Library System Libraries for Literacy program announced Watauga Public Library as one of three recipients of a $2500 grant for the purchase of English as a Second Language material.

 The Library has several resources for English as a second language, including a tutoring program, conversational class, an online course Tell Me More, Ingles Sin Barreras (video and DVD), and other DVDs and compact discs for individual study.  The grant will allow the purchase of additional resources such as Ingles Ya (DVD instruction), SmartReaders and other easy-to-read books with recordings, and instructional DVDs and compact discs such as Living Language.

 Watauga Public Library is committed to enriching the community through full access to informational, educational, cultural, recreational, and lifelong learning materials in a variety of formats.  As part of our mission to provide lifelong learning and respond to the needs of our community, in 2004 the Library began a Laubach Way to English tutoring program and has maintained that program using grant funds and volunteer tutors since that time.  In 2008 the Library added a conversational English class on Tuesday evenings with a certified ESL instructor who volunteers her time.  The conversational class is for students who know some English and are able to converse.  It now meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 6:30-7:30 p.m. 

The tutoring program has consistently had a lengthy waiting list since its beginning.  The Library selects materials for self-instruction in English so that those students waiting for a tutor can begin to learn English, but more materials were needed, including books for adult new readers and recorded books so that students may practice their new skills and improve comprehension.  These materials will supplement curriculum materials, provide self-instruction through DVD and compact disc, and provide resources for practice in reading and listening to English. 

A display kiosk “Learn English/Aprender Inglés” will house the materials in a highly visible area near the Spanish collection.   For more information on the programs or materials please call (817) 514-5865.  Se habla español.

An Adult Literacy Grant has been awarded by the United Way Crisis Relief Impact Council to provide an expanded English as a Second Language program.  The expansion will include additional curriculum materials and a conversational class.  The Library’s English Language Tutoring Program has been in existence for four years and has an ongoing waiting list for tutors.  The conversational class began October 7, 2008, and has vacancies at this time.

Verizon Foundation has awarded a $6,600 grant to the Friends of the Watauga Library to fund a virtual library at the Watauga Senior Center.  The Friends of the Watauga Library is a non-profit organization promoting the interest and welfare of the Watauga Public Library.   The grant enables the library to place a collection of large print and recorded books in the Senior Adult Center and provide a computer station for the participants to access and reserve books, as well as giving them access to databases with information and resources helpful to senior citizens.

On Friday, November 14, 2008, Barbara Walker, Verizon Director of External Affairs, presented the check to the Friends of the Watauga Library, along with City officials and staff at the Watauga Senior Adult Center.  In attendance was Mayor Harry Jeffries, Ruth Ann Jeffries, Friends of the Library President Joe Bailey, Library Director Lana Ewell, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Salvador Torres, Senior Center Coordinator Vickie Vickers, and Adult Services Librarian Connie Barnes (who developed the grant).