The Florida Literacy Coalition recently recognized Citrus County resident Cherie Byrnes with an Outstanding Literacy Volunteer Award for her extraordinary efforts and commitment to adult and family literacy.

The award was presented at a special banquet held during the annual Florida Literacy Conference in Captiva, Fla.

Nominated by the Citrus County Library System, Byrnes was recognized for her overall support and involvement with the library’s literacy program.

Wearing many hats – volunteer tutor, tutor trainer, public speaker and advocate – Byrnes is an invaluable asset to the library’s Adult Literacy Education Program. Her involvement in literacy began many years ago in New York and when she learned of the program in Citrus County she jumped at the chance to participate in a tutor training.

She was then matched with a learner she was uniquely qualified to help; the learner was deaf and Byrnes communicated using various methods including American Sign Language. Since then, Byrnes has furthered her tutor training and is now a ProLiteracy nationally certified tutor trainer.

Her efforts don’t stop with tutoring. Byrnes is sited as being instrumental in launching the library’s first English language classes and has assisted in developing literacy curriculums. She also holds leadership roles as the president of the Friends of the Homosassa Public Library and publicly speaks to groups about literacy including the local board of commissioners.

“We are pleased to recognize Cherie for her outstanding work as a literacy volunteer,” said Greg Smith, executive director of the Florida Literacy Coalition. “She has clearly made a tremendous difference to literacy efforts in Citrus County.”