The Literacy Seed: An Early History of Adult Literacy of Penn State Beaver

The Literacy Seed symbolizes potential -- potential for growth on the part of both student and tutor. When a person who wants to read meets another trained to teach this skill, a bud is brought to life. Literacy grows.

Those working with the Adult Literacy Project of Beaver County have witnessed and nurtured the growth of the literacy Seed. While many have labored to plant, feed, and water this seed, the growing literacy opportunity in Beaver County owes its conception to the vision of several dedicated persons. Initially unknown to each other, separate organizations were plowing the field, so to speak, in preparation for the Literacy Seed. Both the Beaver County Federated Library System and the Lutheran Church Women shaped this early history. United in a common concern, their separate visions combined to create the Adult Literacy Project.

Before illiteracy was identified as a problem in Beaver County, Mrs. Eva Ofcharka of Monaca became sensitized to the possibility. In 1973, Mrs. Ofcharka joined the Lutheran Church Women (LCW) "Social Concerns" Committee of the Western Pennsylvania-West Virginia Synod. Because literacy was (and remains) a target concern for the LCW, this group questioned the need for literacy training in Beaver County. Meetings were held in local churches during 1974, but most people felt there was no need. Fortunately, Mrs. Ofcharka did not stop here. Aware of high drop-out rates in our schools, this former school teacher felt sure these persons, as well as immigrants to the area, comprised a significant illiterate population. Quoting her notes,

"During 1975, I gathered statistics from various agencies: The Beaver County Court House, The Voluntary Action Center and schools, and was amazed at the hidden realities. At that time there were at least 12,000 adults who were illiterate and many more who were functional illiterates . . . Many were not even listed anywhere!"

In early spring of 1976, after numerous written requests for radio announcements, Bill Kelly of WBVP invited Mrs. Ofcharka as a guest on his Teleforum program. She spoke about illiteracy in Beaver County and fielded questions from the radio audience. Through this and other publicity, mainly in churches, the first Laubach tutor-training session resulted.

Simultaneous to Mrs. Ofcharka's involvement, the Beaver County Federated Library System was tilling the same soil in preparation for the Literacy Seed. In June of 1976, several county librarians attended a one-day workshop, sponsored by the State Library of Pennsylvania. This workshop, entitled "Libraries and Literacy", sparked five public librarians to join nine Lutheran Church Women in the tutor-training sessions as Redeemer Lutheran Church in Monaca. One of these librarians Mary Elizabeth Colombo of Aliquippa's B.F. Jones Memorial Library coordinated continuing efforts as Director of Extension Services for the libraries. Quoting her words from an early issue of "The Voice of Literacy",

"Our (the librarians) interest remained high and during the next few months we continued to investigate the problem of illiteracy in Beaver County. . . We (found) some astonishing statistics regarding education levels of the adult population of Beaver County. Of the total population age 25 years and older we found: 1.8% never attended school; 10.6% had attended 6th grade or less; 29.6% had attended 8th grade or less. Converted to actual numbers, 2,100 adults over the age of 25 had never attended school."

The librarians researched the activities other areas initiated to combat illiteracy. In November 1976, they invited Dr. William Kofmehl of the Allegheny County Literacy Council to speak at their monthly in-service training meeting. They also extended an invitation to groups, institutions, and individuals in Beaver County whom they felt shared an interest in literacy. At this meeting, discussion began on forming a Literacy Council for Beaver County. While the Lutheran Church Women continued their tutoring activities, in 1976 Frank Virostek, County Coordinator for the libraries, promoted the establishment of a Literacy Council. In his words, "Reading and understanding what we read is so essential in our complex, changing society. The library can and should play a role in the development and encouragement of good reading habits. Our Bicentennial efforts should certainly include 'Reading for Independence' for adults."

In the spring of 1977, the State Library of Pennsylvania announced literacy activities as a high priority for the distribution of Federal Library Services and Construction Act Funds (LSCA). Mr. Virostek went to work on a grant proposal for the "Adult Literacy Project of Beaver County", then only a dream. His rough drafts, letters to other councils, and personal notes reveal the hard work which preceded this grant proposal. Another avenue for funds, The Manpower Services Act (CETA), opened the possibility for an Adult Reading Coordinator.

Both of these grant proposals were approved, offering a fertile field for the Literacy Seed. In August of 1977, Zoe Moshis joined the staff of the Beaver County Federated Library System as a CETA public service employee. Ms. Moshis' schedule in these early months shows her often traveling to three county libraries a day in order to tutor as many students as possible.

With this student-tutor combination, the Literacy Seed sprouted. An August 30, 1977 letter announced the good news of a $33,895 grant which, after some delay, was made available in April, 1978. Brainstorming on the future plan of action, however, began with an October 25, 1977 meeting. The advisory committee which worked during these interim months included representatives of libraries, educational institutions, and social service agencies. The young project was tended by many supportive hands. As Mr. Virostek stated in the cover letter for the LSCA grant, "District staff of the B.F.Jones Memorial Library will play an essential role in working with the project staff to fully develop the print collection and assist the local libraries in carrying out the goals for this project."

The guidance and support of the libraries has been, and remains, central to the growth of the Adult Literacy Project. In the words of Ms. Columbo, "Many of our public librarians think of themselves as 'godparents' to this project because of their untiring efforts in the formation of this Adult Literacy Project in Beaver County." The Board of Beaver County Commissioners, of whom the Library System is an agency, has provided encouragement and financial support that has been indispensable to the nurture of the Literacy Seed. Planted and sprouted, the Literacy Seed has flourished under the subsequent direction of Alfred B. Bennett, Jr. and Nancy Woods.

Without mentioning the many persons who now support and comprise the Adult Literacy project, the growing number of students matched with tutors speak well of the fertile soil from which they sprouted. Tutors continue to volunteer out of goodwill which Eva Ofcharka spoke of as "a desire to give the 'lifeline' of reading to others". This attitude, shared by both the Lutheran Church Women and the Beaver County Federated Library System, led to the birth of the Adult Literacy Project. With the cooperation of these founding groups, as well as an expanding referral network, the potential within the Literacy Seed realized fruition and continued to grow.

In 1984, Project Director Nancy Woods accepted a position at Penn State University as an Instructor in the College of Education to establish a national research base for the study of adult literacy. The Adult Literacy Project then moved its offices from the Beaver County Federated Library System to the Penn State Beaver Campus in Monaca where it became Adult Literacy Action (ALA). One of its functions is to serve as a field laboratory for state-of-the-art developments in literacy research projects.

It continues to help educationally disadvantaged adults improve their basic skills in reading, writing, comprehension and math via well-trained volunteer tutors and professional staff. In 1978, more than 150 adults were served as a FREE service to the community. In contrast, in 2009 more than 1,000 adults were served.

Adult Literacy Action has been featured on national television: USA-Week-End Report showcased community efforts and featured an ALA student as its cover story; The ABC national documentary At a Loss for Words: Illiterate in America brought Peter Jennings and national recognition to Beaver County's pro-active involvement in the literacy movement; Evening Magazine also featured this program's network of cooperation in working with adult learners; WPSX, WQED, WTAE. KDKA, WPXI and other broadcasts have also acknowledged the successful leadership role Adult Literacy Action has provided to state-of-the-art literacy advancement.

With the continued cooperation of the founding groups, as well as an expanding referral network, the Literacy Seed has continued to successfully grow. As of 2009, more than 10,000 adults have been served by Adult Literacy Action.