In September, 2006, Mayor Jerry Abramson of Louisville, KY, announced that the Louisville Free Public Library and the Jefferson County Public Schools would be partnering to help residents advance their education and career potential. Rural Jefferson County has almost 700,000 residents, many of whom need adult basic education, English literacy, family literacy, GED preparation, welfare-to-work transition training, and workforce training services.   

The library is receiving support from the library foundation to help sponsor free GED testing for any qualified student who has a library card. The usual testing fee is $40.

“Education levels are tied directly to earning levels, and by expanding the number of citizens who have completed their GED, we are bolstering Louisville’s workforce and competitive position,” said Mayor Abramson, noting the importance of increasing the number of residents who hold the GED. He has also remarked on the library foundation’s importance as a contributor to public education through the library: “Through this program as well as its funding of educational materials and new technology in our libraries, the Library Foundation has become an enabler of lifelong learning in this community.”  

Julie Scoskie, director of the school system’s Adult and Continuing Education program, reports that “our students tell us that the testing fee can be a barrier to them earning a GED.... This free testing offer will have a big impact.” In addition to the free GED tests, the library is working with JCPS Adult Education to offer GED preparation classes at select library branches and add Saturday classes to the schedule options.

For Craig Buthod, the Director of the Louisville Free Public Library, partnering with the schools on adult education is a “natural extension of our services. For several years now, the Library has provided excellent GED study aids on our website. This free GED testing offer is a powerful addition to our commitment to provide our community the kind of educational support that makes a real difference.”

Strategic communications to promote awareness of the free GED testing includes commercials, print advertisements, flyers and mailers targeted to potential GED takers. KentuckianaWorks (the local Workforce Investment Board) is sponsoring a substantial radio ad campaign in support of the effort. The free GED classes are one aspect of the Louisville Library’s participation in a many-layered partnership to promote adult education in Jefferson County, KY. Other members of Community Partnerships for Adult Learning (CAL-PARTNERSHIP) include the Workforce Education Initiative, Jefferson Community College and Jefferson Technical College, as well as local government and labor unions, the state department of adult education and literacy and community-and faith-based organizations. The work of the partnership is supported by the partners as well as state and federal grants, including Community Development Block grants.

Participation in the CAL-PARTNERSHIP is enabling the Louisville Free Public Library to fulfill its educational mission and leverage its resources with other agencies to enrich educational opportunities for all residents. The collaboration is also creating advocacy benefits to the library, including increased knowledge about the library among partner agencies; opportunities for new funding and new allies; new users, who may become future supporters of the library; and publicity that conveys the value of the library as an educational resource.

 
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