Field trip #2 / Center for Adult Learning

For this field trip, I went to the Center for Adult Learning in the downtown Jacksonville Public Library in Duval County. 

The Center for Adult Learning (CAL) is a non-profit organization. The Center is dedicated to improve adults’ basic education needs and has been in service to the community since 1985. CAL Learning’s mission is “Helping Jacksonville Public Library customers obtain the literacy skills they require in order to more effectively utilize library resources and become more informed, proactive members of the community.” The Center offers free classes for adults aged 18 or older, whose reading level is below the sixth grade level, or who do not speak English Language. Each year the Center directly serves around 1000 adults.

When I entered there, the welcoming desk was on my left and the sign in book. I signed in and went to explore the center. In front of me, there was a small library full of ESL books, books help in reading in general, CDs and DVDs. On my right, there were three tables with comfortable armchairs to set and read. Walking deeper there was the computer lab. It is isolated enough to eliminate distractions to the learner. It has 16 computers, and when I was there, there was a reading class at the lab. On my left, there were three private classroom spaces are continually used by instructors and volunteers meeting with groups and individuals. Two of them were occupied at that time, one by ESL student and the other by a reading class. As groups outgrow these smaller classroom spaces, the library provides larger meeting rooms on the second and third floors. At the left corner there was office space shared by CAL employees, administration and the Learn to Read program.  The Center has four full-time, seven part-time instructors, and five volunteering ESL tutors.

I met there Sharon Jaskula, the literacy program manager for the Center. Jaskula has served the Center for the last twenty-three years.  She explained the four programs that are offered by the Center for Adult Learning: Computer-assisted instruction, Small group reading and math instruction, Small group English language instruction, and Spanish Language Orientation for Refugees.

Here is the explanation of the four programs:

A nice thing catch my attention when I entered the center is a ‘Brag Board’ display in the lobby that greets visitors to CAL.  Post-it notes are used to celebrate the accomplishment of learners publicly. It is a nice way to encourage the learner to do their best.