library services are relevant and meet-ing their needs effectively.During such class visits, partici-pants will often express the need formore opportunities to learn and prac-tice English, and public libraries are ina unique position to respond. It hasbeen found that library-based adult edu-cation is very effective because the in-struction is often learner-directed. Li-braries oare permanent institutions inlocal communities that have many re-sources to support adult learning " forinstance accessible facilities, extensivecollections of books, and a large groupof potential tutors.... Moreover, unlikeother programs and education provid-ers, libraries do not generally receivefunding that depends on how quicklythey move students into employmentor into more advanced programs.�� Infact, there are fewer barriers to partici-pation than at traditional educationalinstitutions. Public libraries encouragetheir students to become lifelong learn-ers and users of the library.Another component of the effec-tiveness of library-based adult educationprograms is that participants have in-stant access to community information.For example, immigrants are often un-aware of the services that are providedby non-profit organizations and agen-cies. When someone needs a referral fora health care or social need, a librariancan easily provide the information onavailable services. Though this mayseem like an ordinary reference ques-tion, for immigrants this basic libraryservice can be the difference betweengetting necessary medical attention ornot. For many newcomers the publiclibrary has become a second home,where they can learn and practice En-glish and simultaneously gain access toessential information, which is a key tobecoming successful and healthy mem-bers of the community.As providers of adult educationlearning opportunities, libraries haveanother advantage over other educa-tional institutions. Any libraryTs collec-tion of materials offers numerous selec-tions written on almost any topic andat different reading levels. When work-ing with adult new readers and languagelearners, it is important to teach withinthe context of a topic of interest or rel-evance to the life of the learner. Tutorsand teachers could capitalize on an in-terest in sports and find innumerablematerials to use for lessons. For example,juvenile biographies about sports heroesprovide high interest reading with morephotographs and more simply written70 " Summer 2001text than an oadult� book. Though theintended audience is children, there isnothing juvenile about the content ofsuch materials. Steck Vaughn publishesbiographies of sports heroes (movie, TV,and rock stars) called oThe Spotlight Se-ries,� that is formatted as a magazine/workbook. Although the intended audi-ence is adult, these materials would beappropriate for any age. For a reluctantor struggling reader of English, the news-paper may present great challenges, andyet it is a key resource for communityinformation. Using the sports sectioncan provide opportunities to practicereading charts and improve basic read-ing skills. Words aside, one could just usephotographs from newspapers, maga-zines or books to spark interesting prac-tice of conversational English. Althoughthere are many specialized languagelearning materials, it is not necessary todevelop a special collection to meet thisneed. Innumerable print resources areavailable in any public library that couldassist patrons to improve their Englishskills within the context of their inter-ests and their needs. It is a matter ofthinking creatively about the multipleuses of materials and promoting themfor both the traditional and non-tradi-tional audiences.The Internet is another resourcewith unlimited potential for libraries tooffer relevant and high interest materi-als to encourage new users.® When in-troducing a new user to the Internet, itis important to show Web sites thatpresent information in a clearly orga-nized and easy-to-read format. CBSSportsline is one such example. The sitehas a menu across the top of the pagethat lists categories of sports with is abreakdown of each type.? ESPN alsogives a clear list of different sports onthe first screen, and each sub-categoryoffers short text articles with accompa-nying photographs and graphics.!° Forthe more adventurous, Awezome.comprovides simply written explanations ofextreme sports like mountain biking,snowboarding and oNo Fear.� The sitenot only defines each sport and de-scribes the equipment needed, but italso presents some oawezome� photosof extremists in action.!! Of course,sports is only one of many interests thatcan be used to present the vast resourcesof the Internet to new users who wantto learn and practice English. By intro-ducing the Internet, the library is help-ing people acquire important informa-tional skills in English and computersthat are transferable to job and aca-demic situations. Furthermore, as ourworld experiences this online explosion,it is extremely important that users ofthe library and members of our com-munities become aware of the availabil-ity of information on the Web, so thatthey will be better informed and a moreintegral part of our rapidly changingsociety.In terms of a public libraryTs collec-tion, there is no need for special fund-ing or a special collection to providematerial support for an adult literacyprogram; however, many libraries donot have the staff to offer their own pro-gram. Community colleges and otherliteracy providers often partner with li-braries to offer community-basedciasses, and the library could simplyoffer a meeting place, materials, andtechnology that might not otherwise beavailable. Once adult new users are inthe library, staff members have the op-portunity to invite the whole family tocome, to promote childrenTs programs,and to raise awareness about the manyways that one can use a library. If theobjective of a needs assessment is to findout what the needs are, then the librarymay have to partner with local organi-zations and agencies to gather data andimplement the changes that are sug-gested. This kind of partnering helps toraise awareness about what the librarycan offer and establishes long lastingrelationships between the library andthe community.ConclusionOpportunities exist for staff to establishconnections, develop relationships, andraise awareness of the numerous ben-efits of being a user of the library. Li-braries make necessary information andresources available and accessible so thatpeople can lead more successful and in-formed lives. Libraries have the poten-tial to assist newcomers with the com-mon need to learn and practice English,and they can do it in an environmentthat is convenient, safe, and welcom-ing to the whole family. Reaching outto immigrants and refugees givespeople, who are often marginalized andisolated, the opportunity to be engagedin and connected to the community.Conversely, the library will reap manyrewards and benefits from becomingmore involved and attempting to reachout to new users.Libraries will build the commu-nityTs trust and confidence in the insti-tution, and the library staff will likewisebecome more aware and confidentwhen serving new groups. Connectingwith community leaders will enable theNorth Carolina Libraries