Susan Lythgoe, Executive Director of The Learning Source for Adults and Families, tells a familiar story about the challenges literacy programs are facing throughout the country.

Lythgoe reports, "In the last five years, The Learning Source has experienced a huge expansion - adding several new locations in Aurora, Colorado and doubling the size of our students served from 1,500 annually to 3,000. At a time when the demand for services has increased, the level of funding has declined, resulting in Literacy Colorado’s initiatives to better train and support their volunteers, staff and program managers."

Thinkfinity Literacy Network (LiteracyNetwork) is a key resource for professional development. "LiteracyNetwork is an authoritative, single source ofinformation," Lythgoe states. In addition, LiteracyNetwork’s online courses provide a convenient way for volunteer tutors and instructors to maintain their competencies and learn new skills. Lythgoe likes the fact that thec ourse content is delivered in manageable chunks, which is especially important for her busy volunteers. Andrea Martinez, Program Director,The Learning Source Toyota Families in Schools Program, states, "I've completed a couple of classes on line. I appreciated that it was easy and convenient. I recommend the classes to new staff and volunteers."

The Learning Source, in Lakewood, Colorado has centers located in three counties that serve the entire metro Denver area. The Learning Source provides literacy services that range from volunteer-based programs delivering ABE, GED, and ESL instruction to programs located incommunity colleges taught by professional educators. The Learning Source also partners with local school districts to serve students and families in after-school and weekend programs.

As part of an overall staff development effort, The Learning Source is developing a teachers’ guide that will be distributed to more than 200 volunteer tutors six times per year. Lythgoe plans to feature a profile of a LiteracyNetwork course in each issue and provide a link to the Thinkfinity Literacy Network website.

Since an increasing percentage of literacy instructors are required by Colorado’s newly established adult education certification system to obtain a Literacy Instruction Authorization (LIA), Lythgoe believes that the recommended option of completing Thinkfinity Literacy Network online courses will make it possible for more instructors to complete their certification.

"LiteracyNetwork’s reliable, easy-to-use, freely available information supports The Learning Source and its programs from the first point of contact with a potential volunteer through continued in-service and professional staff development," Lythgoe says.