Retiring head of the Tulare County Library Literacy Center, Patricia Habeck, was honored today by the Board of Supervisors for her years of dedication and commitment in establishing and directing the library literacy program. Supervisor Phil Cox presented Mrs. Habeck with a proclamation citing her leadership in local, state and national library literacy services.Mrs. Habeck, who started the program in 2000 under County Librarian Brian Lewis, has led the Read to Succeed program for eleven years. During that time, over 1200 adults with literacy needs have been served throughout Tulare County. Beginning in one room in the library, with 3 tutors for 6 learners, the program now has 110 tutors and a variety of activities to serve the differing requirements of the county’s population.
Under Mrs. Habeck’s aegis, the Literacy Center has added two Early Literacy activities for parents and children, English Speakers of Other Languages Conversation Circles, a Transition Team study series for customers ready to enter the work force as well as a number of special projects. One of these projects is the ongoing partnership with the county Health and Human Services Agency that serves TulareWORKS referrals to the literacy program.
All of the supervisors praised Mrs. Habeck for her devotion to helping these disadvantaged residents and for her leadership in literacy in Tulare County. Commenting on her retirement, the proclamation stated that, “Pat will be able to enjoy her avocations, which include spending time with her dogs, cooking and baking German food, and dreaming up stories about mythical animals.”
