How does a small rural library create big literacy impact? Explore a Texas program blending adult ed, ESL, digital skills, and volunteers, with practical, low-cost ideas to engage learners and grow community partnerships.
About This Session
Description
How does a small rural library create big opportunities for literacy? This session offers an inside look at a Texas community where limited resources meet limitless creativity. Discover how one library brings together adult education, ESL, digital literacy, and reader engagement—powered by both staff and volunteers.
Designed for organizations with tight budgets and big goals, you’ll gain practical insights and inspiration for expanding impact, strengthening programs, and building meaningful community connections.
What we'll cover:
In this session, we’ll explore how a small community library serves as a hub for diverse literacy programming across all ages and skill levels. You’ll learn how multiple program areas—such as adult basic education, GED preparation, ESL, digital literacy, and reading engagement—can be coordinated within one setting, even with limited funding.
We’ll share how a mix of paid staff and dedicated volunteers supports program delivery and creates a welcoming, learner-centered environment. You’ll gain insight into practical strategies for recruiting and retaining volunteers, building flexible programming that adapts to community needs, and maximizing existing resources to expand services.
We’ll also highlight approaches to fostering strong community partnerships that help sustain and grow literacy efforts. Throughout the session, we’ll focus on realistic, adaptable ideas that work for small or volunteer-driven organizations—without requiring extensive funding or infrastructure.
Participants will leave with actionable strategies, fresh perspectives, and inspiration to strengthen or expand their own literacy initiatives, regardless of program size or setting.
Topics & Focus
Primary Topic Area
Session will also cover:
Assigned by TCALL
Pending
Audience
Level
Case study?
Promotion?
Find definitions of topic areas, audiences, levels, and PD categories by clicking on any icon, or see them all on this page.
A note from the presenter:
No other info available at this time.
Handouts & Materials
No handouts or materials available at this time.
“Name of Session” – session presentation slides (PDF)
Name of Document – lesson sample (PDF)
Name of Document (PDF)
Name of Document – infographic (JPG)
Presenter
Dr. Glenda L. Rose
Director
TCALL (Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning)
Visit TCALL in the conference Exhibitor Area!
Glenda L. Rose, Ph.D., is a nationally recognized leader in adult education and literacy with nearly four decades of experience spanning instruction, program leadership, research, and professional development. As Managing Director of the Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning (TCALL) at Texas A&M University, she leads statewide initiatives that support innovation, quality, and impact across adult education programs.
Dr. Rose is an engaging and sought-after presenter known for translating research into practical strategies educators can use immediately. Her areas of expertise include program management, digital literacy and resilience, instructional planning for different modalities (online, hybrid, and face-to-face), distance learning, career pathways, and teaching multilingual adult learners. She has delivered hundreds of workshops, conference sessions, and keynotes at state, national, and international venues, including COABE, TESOL, and SXSW EDU.
A published author and experienced consultant, Dr. Rose brings deep expertise in program development, technology integration, and workforce-focused education. She partners with organizations to design engaging learning experiences that improve outcomes for adult learners and the educators who serve them.
Heidi Frazier
Library & Community Services Manager
Harrie P. Woodson Memorial Library
Heidi Frazier serves as the Library & Community Services Manager at the Harrie P. Woodson Memorial Library in Caldwell, Texas. Her passion for books and literacy has been life long, studying liberal arts at Dickinson College and earning a master’s degree in Library Science from North Texas State University.
She educated all three of her children throughout high school. Once they were graduated from college, she began working with the City of Caldwell. The same love of books and literacy drove her to establish and develop an adult basic education program at the library. Working in close partnership with agencies, businesses, churches, nonprofits and volunteers, the library offers education opportunities for GED, ESL, Spanish, digital literacy, and citizenship, all at no cost to students.
The library offers the only adult education services in the county. The Harrie P. Woodson Memorial Library Adult Basic Education program is currently focusing on providing education and direction for disconnected youth.
Breakout26 – ROSE
Page checked or updated: 6/10/2026
Get Texas literacy updates
Join our mailing list so you don’t miss any news:
- Local and national literacy news
- Conference updates
- Regional symposia
- Best of Texas
- Advocacy
- …more!
