by Cindy McCall
Cazenovia Public Library is pleased to announce that Marli Stahler has joined Carla Zimmerman as co-coordinator of the library’s Literacy Outreach programs. Stahler has more than 20 years of experience teaching reading, and is a dynamic and highly skilled educator with expertise in many areas of community service.
Stahler has been a volunteer for Cazenovia Public Library’s Family Literacy program at CazCares since March 2015. A retired reading specialist, Stahler also has a wealth of experience training and supervising volunteers in her work at agencies such as the Ithaca Youth Bureau. Marli has a special passion for working in a family literacy setting.“I am so impressed with the caregivers who bring their children to our Story Room at CazCares. These folks are committed to introducing their little ones to books and literacy skills, to being their child’s first teacher. It’s an honor to be a part of that process. And our adult learners work hard to bring their educational goals to fruition, meeting regularly with tutors and doing homework in between. And, of course, all of our work would be impossible without the dedication of our wonderful volunteers. Cazenovia Public Library is a special place to work.”
“I am so impressed with the caregivers who bring their children to our Story Room at CazCares. These folks are committed to introducing their little ones to books and literacy skills, to being their child’s first teacher. It’s an honor to be a part of that process. And our adult learners work hard to bring their educational goals to fruition, meeting regularly with tutors and doing homework in between. And, of course, all of our work would be impossible without the dedication of our wonderful volunteers. Cazenovia Public Library is a special place to work.”
Cazenovia Public Library Literacy Outreach has provided free literacy services since 2006, operating literacy programs in partnerships with CazCares, Madison County Reads Ahead (MCRA) and New Woodstock Free Library. The Story Room Family Literacy Program is a learning-focused family center at CazCares Food Pantry that provides early literacy, adult literacy and parenting programs. Adult Literacy programs provide a network of trained MCRA volunteer tutors foreducational services on site and at two satellite locations: CazCares Food Pantry and New Woodstock Free Library. Tutors work one-on-one or in a small group setting with learners in Adult Basic Education (ABE/learn to read), English as a Second Language (ESL), and preparation for the TASC examination (NYS highschool equivalency program, formerly GED). Literacy Outreach also acts as a referral source for educational and career services programs in Madison County.
Over the past year, Cazenovia Public Library Literacy Outreach has gained national attention, with libraries across the United States registering for the webinar “Family Literacy In a Food Pantry” presented by library director Betsy Kennedy, which outlines the library’s model for providing literacy services on a small budget at a local food pantry.
Literacy coordinator and educator Carla Zimmerman has been instrumental in the expansion of Literacy Outreach services. “I know Marli will be a huge asset to our Literacy Outreach at Cazenovia Public Library,” says Zimmerman, “as our library literacy programs continue to grow.”
“I know Marli will be a huge asset to our Literacy Outreach at Cazenovia Public Library,” Zimmerman said, “as our library literacy programs continue to grow.”
Library literacy programs are always in need of volunteers. For more information, call Cazenovia Public Library at (315) 655-9322.