The Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) plays a crucial role in enhancing information literacy among residents, addressing the challenges faced by those lacking essential literacy, language, and technological skills. It provides a wide range of services including reference assistance, database classes, and adult education programs, fostering economic competitiveness and opportunities in the community. Various special programs and partnerships are aimed at workforce development, financial literacy, and overall access to information resources.

1. EMPOWERING THE MASSES:
BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY’S
INFORMATION LITERACY EFFORTS
“These trends are grounded in the new realities of today’s knowledge
economy, where it is difficult to achieve economic success or enjoy a decent
quality of life without a range of basic literacy, language and technological
skills. A distressingly large segment of the city’s population lacks these basic
building blocks, but the public library has stepped in, becoming the second
chance human capital institution. No other institution, public or private, does
a better job of reaching people who have been left behind in today’s economy,
have failed to reach their potential in the city’s public school system or who
simply need help navigating an increasingly complex world.”
Center for an Urban Future Report, January 2013
Presented by:
March 2013
Kerwin Pilgrim
Brooklyn Public Library
Director of Adult Learning

2. Outline
 Introduction
 BPL Overview and Background
 Brooklyn Demographics
 Service Overview and Statistics
 Information Literacy Standards
 Services to Address Info. Literacy
 Programs to Address Info. Literacy
 Special Programs
 Resources to Address Info. Literacy
 Adult Literacy
 Business and Workforce Development

3. According to a
recent report
published on New
York City libraries:
“O ne wa y o r
a no the r, N w Yo rk
e
ne e d s to be tte r
le v e ra g e its libra rie s
if it is to
be e c o no m ic a lly
c o m p e titive a nd
re m a in a c ity o f
o p p o rtunity .”
Center for an Urban Future’s
“Branches of Opportunity”
January 2013

4. Brooklyn Public Library (BPL)
Overview

9. Service Overview
 Circulation
 Print: Books and Periodicals
 Non-Print: Multi-Media (DVDs, Audio books, CDs)
 Digital: e-books, e-video, and e-audio
 Programs
 Adults (including seniors)
 Young Adults (13 to 21)
 Children
 Technology
 Computer
 Internet and Wireless Internet
 Laptops
 Databases

12. Information Literacy Standards
 An information literate individual is able to:
 Determine the extent of information needed
 Access the needed information effectively and
efficiently
 Evaluate information and its sources critically
 Incorporate selected information into one’s knowledge
base
 Use information effectively to accomplish a specific
purpose
 Understand the economic, legal, and social issues
surrounding the use of information, and access and
American use informationAssociation of College and Research Libraries
Library Association, ethically and legally
http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/informationliteracycompetency

13. Services to Address Info.
Literacy
 Reference
 In Person
 Electronic
 Chat
 Email
 Book a Librarian

14. Programs to Address Info.
Literacy
 Database Classes
 Value and Benefits of using databases
 Selecting a database
 Search strategies
 Internet/Computer Basics
 Outreach
 School/Class visits
 Teacher professional development
 Weekend visits from college readiness programs

15. Special Programs
 Today’s Teens, Tomorrow’s Techies Computer
Volunteers (T4)
 Multi-cultural Internship Program
 Brooklyn Collection’s Brooklyn Connections
 Growing Dollars & $ense Financial Literacy
 PowerUP! Business Plan Competition
 Using the Library/Database searching
 Summer Youth Employment Program/Part Time
students
 Intro. to library resources
 Evaluating sources
 Proposed Program
 Super Searcher Institute

16. Resources to Address Info.
Literacy
 Tutorials
 Catalog
 Databases
 Brooklyn Daily Eagle
 Learning Express Library
 Pathfinders/Explore a Topic
 Links to tutorials
 Youtube channel
 Instructional Videos

17. Adult Literacy at BPL
 5 Adult Learning Centers-Adult Basic
Education
 Small Group Instruction
 Trained Volunteer Tutors
 Adult and Young Adult Pre-GED Program
 Structured classes using blended learning
 Experienced teachers and support system
 English for Speakers of Other Languages
 Classes with experienced teachers
 Complemented by conversation groups

18. Business and Workforce Development
Services
 One on One Services (provided by librarian staff)
 STEP one on one job readiness counseling
 Book a librarian one on one research help
 Popular Workshops
 Resume writing and interviewing
 Starting a business and finding financing
 Computer Basics and Using Microsoft Word
 Special Grant Programs
 PowerUP! Business Plan Competition
 Growing Dollars and $ense Financial Literacy education
 Partnerships
 Workforce One job placement centers in two libraries
 Dept. Labor employment counseling and orientations (one on one)
 SCORE business counseling (one on one)
 Office of Financial Empowerment financial counseling (one on one)
 NELP legal business counseling (one on one)
 Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce monthly member meetings

19. Thank You
 Questions
 Contact info.
 Kerwin Pilgrim
 k.pilgrim@brooklynpubliclibrary.org