October 2026

Thank you for participating in our sixth annual book fair in every way you did — as a donor, supporter, volunteer, shopper, partner, or sponsor!

Every person who supported the book fair helps us provide free assessments, materials, and tutoring for adults in Anne Arundel County. Because of you, we will transform more lives.

Many thanks for all you do,

Jane



Jane Seiss, Executive Director 

Anne Arundel County Literacy Council

director@aaclc.org

Broadneck High School National English Honor Society volunteers emptied our book storage units and loaded a convoy of volunteer cars with books for the book fair at the mall.

They did a fabulous job! Thank you, brilliant Bruins!

Photo courtesy Annapolis Mall.

Photo courtesy Kees Bucca, photographer: https://keesphotos.neocities.org/.

Literacy (& Books) for All

Our September 26 book fair was a huge success!

More than 60 volunteers made the event possible, and countless households, neighborhoods, and other groups donated gently used fiction and nonfiction.

This year, we partnered with AACPL, Discoveries Library, local churches, Pip Moyer Recreation Center, and Books for International Goodwill (BIG) to offer loads of gently used books at accessible prices.

Book lovers and readers from all over joined us at the book fair. Discoveries Library reported a heavier-than-usual flow of visitors, and they happily signed many people up for library cards.

We sold thousands of books, raising much-needed funds for our free adult tutoring programs, which means more materials, resources, support, and success for our students.

After the event, we donate the remaining books. This year, we gave some to local low-income households and delivered more to Books for International Goodwill (BIG) in Annapolis.

Thank you for supporting our book fair and adult tutoring programs!

Welcome, New Tutors!

Another enthusiastic training class joined us at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church on October 17.

Lots of thoughtful, helpful hands make our training events a success. Thank you, staff, trainers, tutors, and volunteers, for contributing your time before, during, and after each session.

We couldn't host in-person training without Woods Church and its kind and accommodating staff. The church donates its classroom space and staff support.

Please email us if you'd like to help at one of our 2027 training sessions. The next session will be scheduled for winter 2027.

ESL Tutor Collaboration Meet-Up

Join us on October 29 at Eastport United Methodist Church from 5 to 7 pm for an ESL tutor gathering to share ideas and resources.

If you haven't tutored an ESL student but are curious about the opportunity, you are welcome to attend the meet-up.

Tutors will enjoy an open discussion, and the AACLC team will offer guidance, news, and updates. Please email Mary Ellen to RSVP.

Resources & Activities

All AACPL branches will be closed on Tuesday, October 20, for an annual staff meeting.

Community Resources at icanread.org

The Community Resources page on our website at icanread.org features an organized list of community resources available to residents of Anne Arundel County. It includes websites and phone numbers for government departments and services, library resources, education, employment, immigration, and food assistance.

The Community Resources page is available in Spanish.

En español: recursos comunitarios.

Anne Arundel County Health Department Website

Visit our local health department website for information on services, vaccines, and other health topics.

Anne Arundel County Food Pantry & Resources

This resources page, published by the Anne Arundel County Food Bank and updated regularly, provides information on where to find free food and basic necessities throughout the county. It includes pantry locations, contact numbers, and hours. Visit the resources page to download a pantry map listing food, baby, and senior pantries across Anne Arundel County.

OIC of Anne Arundel County ESL Classes

Free virtual ESL classes at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Call OIC's partner, the Center of Help (Centro de Ayuda), at 410-295-3434 to enroll.

Language Exchange at Brooklyn Park Library

Wednesday, October 21, 6 – 7:30 pm

https://www.aacpl.net/event/language-exchangeintercambio-de-idiomas-241782

Also occurs on Wednesday, November 18, 6 – 7:30 pm

https://www.aacpl.net/event/language-exchangeintercambio-de-idiomas-241783

AACPL Online English Conversation Club

Thursday, October 22, 6:30 – 7:30 pm.

Registration required & opened on October 8

https://www.aacpl.net/event/english-conversation-club-241563

Also occurs on Thursday, November 19, 6:30 – 7:30 pm

Registration required & opens on November 5.

https://www.aacpl.net/event/english-conversation-club-241569

Language Exchange at Busch Annapolis Library

Saturday, October 24, 3 – 4:30 pm, in the library cafe

https://www.aacpl.net/event/intercambio-de-idiomaslanguage-exchange-240108

Language Exchange at Linthicum Library

Monday, November 9, 6 – 7 pm

https://www.aacpl.net/event/language-exchangeintercambio-de-idiomas-238078

AACLC's English Conversation Group in Eastport

Monday, October 26, 5 – 7 pm

Seeds 4 Success office

The group is most suited to Spanish speakers, and space is limited to 15 people. The evening features a welcoming atmosphere, enjoyable conversation, games, and light refreshments. Literacy Council tutors or students should email Mary Ellen if they plan to attend.

AACLC's Crofton English Conversation Group

Gathers 2nd Wednesdays:

Wednesday, November 11, 5 – 7 pm

Wednesday, December 9, 5 – 7 pm

Crofton Library

The group welcomes all English language learners. The evening features a welcoming atmosphere, enjoyable conversation, games, and light refreshments. Literacy Council tutors or students should email Matthew if they plan to attend.

AACLC has been honored with excellent reviews on GreatNonprofits! We appreciate all of your contributions! 

Read our reviews.

Thank you for caring about local adult literacy & education.💛