Pima County Public Library (PCPL) is excited to be expanding its partnership with Literacy Connects to include GED prep classes and computer basics classes at new branches. Literacy Connects has been an important partner to further the PCPL mission for many years. PCPL started hosting Literacy Connects' English Language Acquisition for Adults (ELAA) classes in 2008 and have expanded each year into more branches and via remote classes. Together, we served over 1000 English language learners in 2023!
In addition, PCPL was a convening member of the Literate Workers Initiative in 2007, a collaboration organization that also includes Literacy Connects, providing basic skills and job readiness programming to youth and adults in Pima County. PCPL continues to host, support, and advocate for these programs that provide a continuum of services that support our community and improve our economy in Pima County.
The Library’s mission is to transform lives by educating, inspiring, and connecting people. We are a natural fit for Literacy Connects, and their mission of connecting people of all ages to a world of opportunities through literacy and creative expression. This 15-year partnership has resulted in many successes. English language learners have come together and formed community around their shared goals. Long time residents and people new to Tucson have connected with each other, with the library, and with the array of services and resources that help them on their journey integrating into the community. 80 ELAA students reported that they signed up for a library card in the Fall session, and many more have reported feeling more comfortable conversing in English with the people they need to communicate with to succeed.
Sofia Acosta is a long-time student of the English Language Acquisition for Adults (ELAA) classes at Flowing Wells Library. She recently shared how these classes have helped her start a new career in this country. “The last month I applied for a new job as a teacher for GED classes at Literacy Connects. For my interview, I had to prepare two class demos—one in Spanish and another in English. I'm an elementary school teacher, and I taught for six years in Mexico, so the Spanish class was not a problem; however, the English class was a big deal for me. I was afraid, but I did it very well because now I have a new job!“
A beginning student at Sahuarita Library said, “The courses I have taken here at the library have been very helpful to me. I function a little better in daily life. When I go to the supermarket and I need to ask something, I'm no longer embarrassed. The classes you have shared with us have been very helpful... I am very grateful to you.”
PCPL is proud to continue this partnership into 2024 by sponsoring more than 30 in-person and online English language learning classes, and now GED classes and a Spanish Language Computer Class. A Spanish language GED class will be added in March, 2024, location to be determined.
Click on the links below to find a class for you... or to share with someone you know who might be interested!
- Interested in Learning English?|¿Le interesa aprender inglés?
- Curso de computación básica en español
- GED Preparation Class in English
Looking to get started on your own? Great! Here are some books and E-Library resources we recommend:
LearningExpress Library - Test Prep & Software Tutorials
LearningExpress Library - High School Equivalency Center
DigitalLearn – Conceptos básicos de computación
DigitalLeaarn - Computer Basics Online Classes
Pimsleur - Trusted Language Learning Sets
