Carl Walworth, Mattoon Public Library Director and Mattoon lawyer Brent Holmes of Heller, Holmes & Associates.Photo submitted by Mattoon Public Library
For Immediate Release – June 30, 2021
MATTOON – The Mattoon Public Library literacy initiative is the recipient of a $22,240 gift from the Edgar S. Waller and Doris L. Waller Family Revocable Trust.
Mattoon lawyer Brent Holmes of Heller, Holmes & Associates facilitated the gift in helping to administer the Waller trust.
The Waller’s last lived in the Mason Point complex in Sullivan. As part of their trust, they directed part of the funds to an adult literacy program, which was among their interests.
The library is beginning its third year of a family literacy initiative that has five components: adult basic education, children’s education, parent and child together activities, parenting education and promotion of library services.
The charity named in the Waller trust was no longer in existence, so Holmes inquired of Walworth whether the Mattoon Public Library had a family literacy program. On behalf of the trustee, Holmes submitted the documentation provided by Walworth to the court, requesting that the Mattoon Public Library be the recipient of the charitable gift. The court, applying the cy pres doctrine, approved the request as it matched the charitable intent of the Waller’s.
“This gift reflects the Waller’s recognition of the importance of adult basic education as a way to enhance lives and life in East Central Illinois,” Holmes said. “We are pleased to fulfill the Waller’s intent through support of the library’s efforts to increase the quality of life for adults in our area by enhancing their literacy skills.”
Library Director Carl Walworth said library appreciates generous gifts like the Waller’s and encourages people to consider the library when they do estate planning. “We offer a variety of community-oriented programs and participate in multiple collaborations that are part of our focus to enrich lives, strengthen community and spark ideas,” Walworth said. “People like the Waller’s have a lasting impact on adults who work to better themselves through improving potentially life-changing literacy skills.”
The library’s literacy program recently added digital literacy to the adult education component, which includes self-guided basic instruction on basics in 14 different topics through the Minnesota-based
Northstar digital literacy platform. The topics are divided into three areas: computer skills like using email and Windows; software skills like Word, Excel and Google docs and using technology in daily life skills such as social media, knowing your digital football and information literacy.
The units are freely available to individuals or groups and include an option for proctored assessments. Contact Walworth at 234-1710 for more information.
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