education

The library’s Center for Adult Learning wouldn’t be what it is today—a place where adults can learn to read, learn English as a second language, prepare for GED classes and testing—without the vision, innovation and passion of Jean Ulmer Brinkman. Jean, the founder of CAL and Learn to Read, which are located at the library, had a big dream—to give every adult the opportunity and right tools to learn to read.

After Misty Jones served eight months in prison, she needed a boost to get back into the workforce. She found what she needed with the team from Operation New Hope and its Ready4Work program, which is designed to assist ex-offenders re-enter the workforce. During her time with New Hope, Jones discovered programs in the city that she never knew existed, including our digital literacy program through Project LEAP.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"5645","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-3267 aligncenter","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"432","height":"256","alt":"DSC_0102.JPG"}}]] The Jacksonville Public Library has a different meaning for everyone. For some it is a place to relax and get away from the noise, or a place to access unlimited resources. For the Petlansky family it is a “beautiful sanctuary of information and imagination.”

The Jacksonville Public Library's Center for Adult Learning, located at the downtown Main Library, works with hundreds of students who want to learn English or earn a high school diploma. WJCT aired a story about Peter Malick, a student at the library who fled Sudan as a boy and is now pursuing an education.