New Spring 2004 Schedule; Registration in Staten Island Begins Monday, March 29

New York, NY, March 10, 2004 -- Adults and young adults over age 16 wishing to improve their English-speaking skills can sign up at one of The New York Public Library's free English-for-Speakers-of-Other Languages (ESOL) classes, beginning March 29. The classes, which start a week after registration, will take place in 21 of the Library's branches throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. Adults who would like to enroll must register in person at the branch library where the classes will be held. As space is limited, registration will be drawn by lot at all branches, and an English test is given at the time of registration to determine class placement. English-for-Speakers-of-Other-Languages (ESOL) classes will take place at five Staten Island Branches of The New York Public Library. Please do not bring children to registration. For more information on the ESOL program, call the Library's Office of Community Outreach Services at (212) 340-0918.

Please see the following schedule for exact times, dates, and locations:

Dongan Hills Branch Library
1617 Richmond Road (between Seaview and Liberty Avenues), 718-351-1444
Registration: Thursday, April 1, 2004 from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00-8:30 p.m. from Thursday, April 15 to Tuesday, June 22, 2004

New Dorp Regional Branch
309 New Dorp Lane (between Edison and Clawson Streets), 718-351-2977
Registration: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 from 5:30-6:00 p.m.
Classes meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00-8:30 p.m. from Wednesday, April 14 to Wednesday, June 23, 2004

Port Richmond Branch Library
75 Bennett Street (at Heberton Avenue), 718-442-0158
Registration: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 from 5:30-6:00 p.m.
Classes meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00-8:30 p.m. from Wednesday, April 14 to Wednesday, June 23, 2004

St. George Library Center
5 Central Ave. (near Borough Hall), 718-442-8560
Registration: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00-8:30 p.m., from Tuesday, April 13, 2004 to Thursday,
June 17, 2004

Todt Hill-Westerleigh Regional Library
2550 Victory Boulevard (past Willowbrook Rd.), 718-494-1642
Registration: Monday, March 29, 2004 from 5:30-6:00 p.m.
Classes meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00-8:30 p.m. to Monday, April 12 to Monday, June 21, 2004

Note: Please do not publicize after Monday, March 29

The ESOL classes are sponsored in part by The New York Public Library in association with the Riverside Language Program Inc., and partially supported by the New York State Coordinated Outreach Services Grant; the New York City Adult Literacy Initiative; the NASDAQ Disaster Relief Fund; the New York State Adult Literacy Services Grant from the New York State Library, New York State Education Department; the Durst Family Foundation; the Murray G. and Beatrice H. Sherman Charitable Trust; and by Federal funds allocated under Title II, section 231(e) of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) awarded by the New York State Education Department, Office of Workforce Preparation and Continuing Education.

For more information contact Debbie Bujosa at 212-704-8600.

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