American Dream Literacy Initiative: Participating Libraries
The American Dream Literacy initiative is a yearlong program that delivers services and serves thousands of English language learners in a warm and welcoming environment. In 2021, 16 U.S. public libraries were selected through a competitive application process.
To date, more than 200 public libraries have initiated or expanded literacy services for adult English language learners. American Dream libraries offer computer access and training, job readiness programs, and ELL, GED and citizenship classes.
American Dream libraries build replicable programs, develop coalition-building strategies and provide annotated lists of vetted resources for libraries across the country. Much of the program’s success relies on outreach to new immigrant populations, and requires public libraries to build strong partnerships while leveraging additional resources received through these collaborative efforts.
The American Dream Literacy Initiative is administered by ALA's Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services and Public Programs Office. It is generously funded by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.
2021 American Dream Libraries
- Belen Public Library, Belen, New Mexico
- Broward County Main Library, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Chesapeake Public Library, Chesapeake, Virginia
- Danbury Library, Danbury, Connecticut
- Fitchburg Public Library, Fitchburg, Massachusetts
- Gwinnett County Public Library, Lawrenceville, Georgia
- Kingsport Public Library, Kingsport, Tennessee
- Lafourche Parish Public Library, Lockport Branch, Lockport, Louisiana
- Laurel Public Library, Laurel, Delaware
- Martha Liebert Public Library, Bernalillo, New Mexico
- McCracken County Public Library, Paducah, Kentucky
- North Bergen Free Public Library, North Bergen, New Jersey
- Siouxland Libraries, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Spartanburg County Public Libraries, Pacolet, South Carolina
- Springfield Public Library, Springfield, Oregon
- Tuscarawas County Public Library, New Philadelphia, Ohio
2019 American Dream Libraries
- Alachua County Library District, Gainesville, Florida
- Atlantic City Free Public Library, Atlantic City, New Jersey
- Blanchard Community Library, Santa Paula, California
- Blount County Public Library, Maryville, Tennessee
- Chester County Library & District Center, Exton, Pennsylvania
- Delta County Public Libraries, Hotchkiss, Colorado
- Fryeburg Public Library, Fryeburg, Maine
- Gila Bend Library, Gila Bend, Arizona
- Greenwood County Library, Greenwood, South Carolina
- Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library, Hewlett, New York
- Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, Missouri
- La Vista Public Library, La Vista, Nebraska
- Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library, Christiansburg, Virginia
- Socastee Library, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library, Tampa, Florida
- Terrebonne Parish Library System, Houma, Louisiana
2018 American Dream Libraries
- Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn, New York
- New Brunswick Free Public Library, New Brunswick, New Jersey
- Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, Buffalo, New York
- Ferguson Library, Stamford, Connecticut
- Rochester Public Library, Rochester, New York
- Suffolk Public LIbrary, Suffolk, Virginia
- Athens Regional Library System, Athens, Georgia
- Osceola Library System, Kissimmee, Florida
- Danbury Public Library, Danbury, Connecticut
- Norfolk Public LIbrary, Norfolk, Virginia
- Chandler Public Library, Chandler, Arizona
- Sacramento Public Library Authority, Sacramento, California
- Crown Point Community Library, Crown Point, Indiana
- Princeton Public Library, Princeton, New Jersey
- Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library, Christiansburg, Virginia
- Blount County Public Library, Maryville, Tennessee
- Keene Public Library, Keene, New Hampshire
- Lafourche Parish Public Library, Thibodaux, Louisiana
- Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library, Shelbyville, Tennessee
- Wayne Library Alliance, Honesdale, Pennsylvania
Review the grantee lists from previous rounds of the program.
