Literacy 2000 Summit to be Held Thursday, Jan. 27 

On Thursday, January 27, a broad cross-section of Guilford County's citizens, along with national literacy leaders, will come together at the Literacy 2000 Summit at the Greensboro College Library (815 West Market Street) to develop a five-year plan to raise the literacy levels in Guilford County.

Carol Rasco, the national director of the America Reads Initiative, will be the keynote speaker for the summit. Ms. Rasco, the former domestic policy advisor to President Clinton, has visited and consulted with hundred of communities like ours that are dealing with concerns about education, literacy, economic development and quality of life.

The initiative has been spearheaded by Sandy Neerman, director of the Greensboro Public Library. "As we approach the new millennium, one of the most important issues that we must tackle in our community is literacy," Neerman said. "Our strategy is a community-based approach to literacy. During the past year we have been researching solutions and have identified dozens of good ideas and potential solutions. However, we are now at the stage where we need your help in prioritizing these efforts and making specific plans for Guilford County."

The Summit will take place from 8:45 am to noon. At the Summit, a five-year strategic plan for increasing literacy in our county will be reviewed. This plan is based on research that has been conducted by the "Literacy 2000: Guilford County Reads" coalition, for which the News & Record is the primary fiscal sponsor. Additional support was provided by Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, Friends of the Greensboro Public Library, Community of Readers, Greensboro Rotary and Junior League of Greensboro.

In addition to the summit, there will also be a breakfast session for those particularly interested in the economic aspects of literacy. As Guilford County's economy continues to become more diversified, the literacy level of our workforce is extremely important to our future. The breakfast meeting will be in the Greensboro College Library on January 27, 7:30-8:30 am. The topic is "Literacy 2000: Why Literacy is the Best Long-range Plan for your Business." Carol Rasco and Dr. Judy Cheatham, Greensboro College professor, will present findings from current research on the economic impact of workplace and adult literacy programs.

The Summit is open to the public. For registration information call 373-3636. Or visit the library’s website to see all Literacy 2000 information as well as the latest information on the Summit www.greensborolibrary.org/literacy.You can also stop by any branch of the Greensboro Public Library and ask for the Literacy 2000 booklet.