Library Outreach Coordinator Receives Merit Award
Posted March 28, 2014 at 3:36 pm by Tim Dustrude
Washington Library Association recognizes outstanding work in English Language Learning
Beth Helstien, Award-winning Outreach Coordinator for the SJI Library – Tim Dustrude photo
San Juan Island Library outreach coordinator Beth Helstien received the 2014 Merit Award for Advances in Library Services from the Washington Library Association. The award recognizes outstanding work in resurrecting and revitalizing what was a defunct English Language Learning Program into a popular, well-attended, well-staffed, curriculum-guided program.
English Language Learning at the San Juan Island Library provides instruction in speaking, listening, reading and writing English to immigrant families. An English instructor works with community volunteers who meet in small groups based on students’ English abilities to learn grammar, pronunciation and idiomatic expression. Classes meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6-8pm during the Fall and Spring. While parents learn, an enrichment program keeps the children of adult learners busy with homework, reading and craft programs.
“It’s nice to know our program that has so much community support from volunteers and the San Juan Island Community Foundation is getting recognized for the difference it makes in the lives of families learning English,” Helstien said. “We help parents fulfill their responsibilities to their kids by learning English and being able to supervise homework and school participation. And when adults know English, their children don’t have to translate in situations beyond their years.”
In addition to its collections of materials to loan, the library also provides an array of programs for adults and children, public access computers and WiFi. Library hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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