Three Wood County libraries will benefit from a $75,000 grant that provides English as a second language classes, GED preparation courses and other literacy sessions.

The grant was awarded through the "Gateway to Libraries" initiative, which supports regional libraries with funding from the U. S. Institute of Museum and Library Services and Texas State Library and Archives Commission, according to a press release from Peggy Lustig, regional literacy director for the Gateway to Libraries program.

The program's goal is to build the capacity of partnering rural libraries in Texas. The library initiative will provide free adult literacy classes that include "English as a Second Language" classes, GED preparation classes and family bilingual literacy sessions, according to the release.

The initiative provides support to the following libraries: Quitman Public Library (Wood County),

Mineola Memorial Library, Gilbreath Memorial Library/ Winnsboro, Bullard Community Library (Cherokee County), and newest partner Pittsburg-Camp Co. Public Library (Camp County), according to the release.

Delene Allen, director of the Quitman Public Library, said the program allowed the library to reach out and better serve the community.

"This is Quitman Public Library's third year to partner with A Circle of Ten's Gateway to Libraries initiative that allows our library the ability to offer adult GED preparatory classes and ESL classes to those in our community," Allen said. "I appreciate how the initiative has grown to include children by offering Summer Family Literacy activities for the entire family... Helping people connect with the information they need to achieve their goals is what our library is all about."

Mary Hurley, director of Mineola Memorial Library, said the initiative has provided the library with the resources to help several students learn English and become

United States citizens.

"The library has benefited by having more members of the community learn about the library and some of the services it has to offer," Hurley said. "This has been a win-win partnership."

Adult literacy classes begin in October. Adults interested in the ESL, GED prep and/or Family Bilingual Literacy Session should visit any of the partnering library sites and sign up at the library's circulation desk.

For additional information or partnering opportunities call "Gateway to Libraries" staff at 903 589-6900 email website: . "Gateway to Libraries" office is located in A Circle of Ten, Inc.'s Small Business Incubator at 205 East Commerce Street, upstairs in Suite 208 in Jacksonville.