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Reading Connections has outgrown its space at the Employment Security Commission on Phillips Avenue in High Point.

But the new renovations at the High Point Public Library have opened up some potential space for the nonprofit.

About 750 square feet of space on the library’s second floor is undedicated. If money can be raised, the space will be fitted with additional tutoring rooms, a tutor library and literacy staff offices.

Kem Ellis, library director, said the nonprofit will temporarily use an existing space occupied by another library division until construction of the library is completed.

Library construction, adding 19,000 square feet and reconfiguring its layout, is expected to be completed Dec. 18.

“We’ll have to figure out what we used to do before the construction,” Ellis said, joking.

At the library, Reading Connections will have access to computer labs for computer-based instruction and meeting rooms for individual and classroom instruction.

The library will benefit by reaching its goal to help adults learn to read.

“Revitalizing the library’s adult literacy program has been a priority for me,” Ellis said. “When we heard that Reading Connections was in need of a new home, we saw the perfect opportunity to partner more closely with Reading Connections and bring their literacy program to our clients. It’s really the perfect win-win situation.”

Ellis said the library used to have an adult literacy program. “We took the lead in High Point in training tutors to work with adult readers,” he said. Over time, GTCC, which worked with the library, took over the responsibility of the program.

Partnering with Reading Connections has given the library a way “to get back into that business,” Ellis said.

Reading Connection has provided adult literacy services to Greensboro and surrounding areas since 1990.

In 2005, the nonprofit opened a High Point office in response to growing requests and the High Point Workforce Preparedness Study, which identified high illiteracy rates in High Point as a barrier to economic growth.

During the past five years, Reading Connections has served 502 adult students and 173 volunteer tutors in High Point.

“The library sees 7,500 visitors a every week,” said Jenny Gore, executive director of Reading Connections. “If even a fraction of them take advantage of our services, we will be reaching a tremendous number of adults and their families.”

Twenty-five percent of High Point adults are functionally illiterate, unable to read more than a few simple words. Another 29 percent read below a high school level, she said.

The library and nonprofit need $60,000 to retrofit the space for the nonprofit’s needs.

The public can make tax deductible donations to either the Friends of the High Point Library or Reading Connections for the project.

“Our mission is ‘nurturing the joy of reading,’” Ellis said. “I can’t think of a better way to nurture the joy of reading than to teach people to read.”

Contact E.A. Seagraves at 883-4422, Ext. 241, or elizabeth.seagraves@news-record.com