Cazenovia — Cazenovia Public Library has announced 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 an educator with expertise in many areas of community service.
Stahler, a retired reading specialist, has been a volunteer for Cazenovia Public Library’s Family Literacy program at CazCares since March 2015. She also has experience training and supervising volunteers in her work at agencies such as the Ithaca Youth Bureau.
“I know Marli will be a huge asset to our Literacy Outreach at Cazenovia Public Library as our library literacy programs continue to grow,” said literacy coordinator and educator Carla Zimmerman.
“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,” Stahler said.
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 for educational 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.
Library literacy programs are always in need of volunteers.
For more information, call Cazenovia Public Library at 655-9322.
