YELL GRANT RECIPIENTS PURCHASE MUCH NEEDED LEARNING TOOLS

YELL grants have helped its recipients by giving them the money to buy books, videos, newspapers and other learning aids that they wanted but didn't have the money to buy before.

In 1995, YELL distributed four grants in Jackson. Jackson Public Library was one of those grant recipients. It received $500 and had put that money to good use by purchasing math and English books to help people prepare for the GED test.

In 1994, the library purchased GED books and has seen the books remain checked out constantly as more and more people take advantage of the availability of the GED books at the library through the YELL grant.

The library also gets the newspaper, "News for You," with every grant they get.

The Jackson Public Library has received YELL grants since 1991, according to Sally Pierce, librarian.

The library has been buying books that help people with reading difficulty read better and understand the subject better.

It has been getting books for leisure that are of a high interest, low vocabulary to encourage people to read them. A lot of books on social issues like AIDS and family violence are available at the library.

"They can get the information they need, but they can understand the subject with these books," Pierce said.

"The big push has been young people getting their GED. GED books, plus math and English books, have helped many prepare for their GED," Pierce said.

The library has also purchased Hooked on Phonics, which has helped many learn how to read by using phonics. Many people couldn't afford the program on their own, but the library bought the program through a YELL grant and now it is accessible to the community.

"It's hard to say how many have been helped by the YELL program," Pierce said.

"A lot of people have been helped," she added.

Videos are also available at the library to help children and people with reading difficulties learn to read.

The public library was one of the first participants in the YELL program in Jackson, and Pierce said it will continue to participate in the program.

"It is a needed program. It helps us emphasize the importance of reading in today's society. We are just beginning to get the use out of the books we have bought," Pierce said.

"We will apply for another grant and if we get it, we will continue to subscribe to "News for You" and we will buy more leisure books for adult basic education and more GED books will be purchased," Pierce said.

"We will continue to get adult basic education books and make them available to the public," Pierce added.