Friends of Library Hands Out Dictionaries

Most people have one in their office, one in their home, one on their computer. Dictionaries are an office staple and a student's best friend, but for those learning a new language, dictionaries are a real gem. The Berkeley County Friends of the Library are sharing the gift of dictionaries with students studying English as a second language at Fishburne Education Center in Hanahan.

The Friends of the Library uses a room at the Fishburne center to store books and volunteer Verla Wilson opens the room to the public twice a week to sell the books. She noticed a large number of students mentioned needing dictionaries. Friends of the Library President Linda Ashton read a local news article about a woman who takes dictionaries to elementary school children. Ashton worked through that project to order 1,000 softback Webster's dictionaries.
"It not only benefits the school but it benefits literacy," Ashton said.

Last spring, the Friends of the Library handed out the dictionaries to ESL students at the student recognition ceremony. This fall, each student registering for an ESL course receives a dictionary. Barbara Byrd, Fishburne adult education coordinator, said the students are very excited about receiving the dictionaries. Site Supervisor Cheryl Harnage said a student didn't hesitate to remind her about the dictionary after registering for a class. That shows how important the dictionaries are to them, Harnage said.

So far, the Friends of the Library has given away 700 dictionaries and Ashton is planning to order another thousand. During the last school year, more than 1,000 adults were enrolled in ESL courses at Fishburne. This year, 450 students are taking classes. The ESL courses are open enrollment and open exit, meaning students can begin and end the course at any time. There are four levels and students move up as they are prepared and feel comfortable. Some students have put in as many as 500 hours of class time learning English.

About 70 percent of the students are Spanish-speaking. In the student body, 22 languages and 49 countries are represented, Byrd said. Eventually, The ESL students will move beyond their third-grade level dictionary, but until then, they will cherish those red books. "It's a book. When you are walking around with a book, you feel empowered," Byrd said.

The dictionary lady visited New London Elementary School last week. Distributing Webster's Dictionary to 73 third graders. Arlene French, 86 of Andover, is planning to give dictionaries to the Kearsarge Regional, Sunapee, Andover, Franklin, Salisbury, and Webster schools.

The French Conspiracy
(InterTown News Photo by Mary Gutgsell)
Dictionary Project for the children
New Hampshire

Arlyne and Harold French of Andover's daughter-in-law, Mary French, wife of son Arno, has been a tireless worker and an enthusiastic believer in the Dictionary project. She has helped to give over 100,000 dictionaries to 3rd graders in the city of Charleston and surrounding counties in the past five years. Mary is a winner of the J.C. Penny "Golden Rule 2000" award. There were 152 people nominated. She turned her prize money back into the project to buy more books. She has also been interviewed by the National Rotary Club President and been on TV.

When asked if New Hampshire children would like these dictionaries, my answer was a definite "yes". My job was to find the number of 3rd grade students. Subsequently a gift of 40 dictionaries were delivered to the Andover Elementary/Middle School, with the help of S.C. donations. I was told to continue visiting other schools to get the number of students needing the books and they would be supplied.

At first my thinking was, being elderly, I would not be an active fundraiser. Then I realized New Hampshire would like to sponsor its own children and it only requires the ability to drive and talk. So I decided to get busy and help. It has given me much pleasure to see the enthusiasm and interest of people I have talked to in the banks, clubs, like our own Service Club, and Lake Sunapee Bank. Communities want to help. The enthusiasm is contagious.

The 3rd grade was targeted because this is the age when children are beginning to learn the importance of words; in their speech and in their writing. Having a dictionary of their own gives them "word power"; to write essays in later years, to read a book and understand it, and to function in the business world when they grow up. It will also be a help to teachers and in doing homework. It is not a children's" book, but one they can keep and use all their lives, helping them to become knowledgeable adults.

Mary has met 5th and 6th grade students who still have and use the dictionary they received in 3rd grade. Remarks from students have been "It is really for me to keep?", "I like it because it is small enough for me to carry around , the one at home is so big.", and "I can't believe someone is giving me this gift."

The books cost $8.99. Mrs. French gets them for $1.00, so a donation goes a long way. There are two requirements; that each student write their name in it and that they write a simple "thank you" (2 words or 2 sentences). These "thank you's" are the only pay the volunteers receive, and are nice to show to the sponsors. Also, we believe it is an important part of every child's education to say "thank you" for any gift.