The Plainfield Public Library
Project Title
For project support to expand reach and services through their English as a Second Language program
Date
Jun. 05, 2025
Duration
24 months
Description
The Education program has selected eleven public libraries from nine states for their impactful programs and broad reach as part of its Libraries as Pillars of Education and Democracy initiative, a two-year, $5 million grant program launched in December 2024. These libraries were chosen through a highly competitive process from over 1,400 expressions of interest, demonstrating a strong commitment to expanding English language proficiency programs for adults and enhancing college readiness and access for teens. With this support, the selected libraries will scale their impact, strengthen community partnerships, and create new opportunities for students. The Plainfield Public Library (PPL) is among the selected libraries. With Corporation support, PPL will develop and scale a sustainable, fundable ESL model for New Jersey’s Labor and Literacy Library Initiative (L&LL), where PPL serves as the lead agency. PPL aims to refine materials, expand services by 50 percent, train volunteers across five to ten additional libraries, and complete six instructional cycles.