The Greenville County Library System Invites the International Community Through Film. (Click here to view film)

Greenville, SC - Your local public library just got a lot more inviting. With the help of a national grant, the Greenville County Library System has produced a short film introducing the international community to a world of information. The initiative, funded by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and administered by the American Library Association, has helped 34 public libraries in 17 states offer increased literacy services to adult learners of the English language.

In March of 2008, GCLS was awarded the American Dream Starts @ Your Library grant to produce a short film, Welcome to Your Public Library. These funds enabled the library, in cooperation with Greenville Literacy Association, to create an open invitation to adult learners of English. Janna Lusk, a program manager for Greenville Literacy Association, was pleased to be involved in the planning of the video. "The strong visual effect of the video will help literacy providers convey library terminology and concepts that can be challenging to teach. This video provides a wonderful tool for helping students learn more about the library," Lusk commented.

The film is intended to be used in English as a second language classes and by a variety of agencies that interface with the international community to encourage library usage. The film, written by library staff and produced by Unusual Films of Greenville, is light in tone and broad in appeal. "It was surprising to discover that the concept of a public library is not universal," says Communications Manager, Trinity Behrends. "This was an amazing opportunity to introduce something that we as Americans take for granted."

While the film was created with the international community in mind, it has been produced with potential benefit to the elementary education sector as well. It will be offered to libraries and educational affiliates throughout the nation through the sale of DVDs.

About the American Dream Starts @ your library grant:

Public libraries have long been a cornerstone of the American Dream, providing equitable access to information of all kinds. For many immigrants, the American Dream starts at the library. The library not only collects American history, but shapes the promise of the future. The library also helps immigrants hold on to their native words and customs so that they can tell their stories, preserve their culture and share their wisdom across generations.

The American Dream Starts @ your library grant supports this tradition by awarding public libraries with a demonstrated need to provide literacy services to adult immigrants’ resources to expand or add literacy services for adult English language learners. The award is being funded through a generous two-year grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, which, for over 10 years has supported literacy and education efforts nationwide. For more information, visit www.ALA.org.

About Dollar General Literacy Foundation:

Since 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has improved the functional literacy of adults by providing grants to non-profit organizations dedicated to the advancement of literacy. Dollar General’s commitment to literacy began with J.L. Turner, co-founder of Dollar General. With only a third grade education, J.L. overcame tremendous odds and built the company now known as Dollar General Corporation.

The adult literacy grants program and the family literacy grants program are funded by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. The Foundation supports non-profit organizations within Dollar General's market area that are established for public use and have an active 501(c)(3) status under the Internal Revenue Service Code.

About the Greenville County Library System:

Founded in 1921, the Greenville County Library System operates 11 facilities, a bookmobile, and a website that provide information, materials, and engaging programs delivered with world-class technology and a customer-centric approach. The Library System offers free access to resources and experiences and continually strives to be the community’s destination of choice for exploring the world. For more information, visit the Library’s website at www.greenvillelibrary.org.