Friday, September 4, 2009

Adult Literacy Awareness Month

Adult Literacy Awareness Month
September Spotlight
on SCLLN Literacy Programs

Burbank Public Library Literacy Services
Reading Horizons Site of the Month: August 2009

Since 1992, Burbank Public Library has provided free, one-to-one literacy services to members of the surrounding community. In the 17 years since then, more than 1,500 volunteer tutors have assisted over 1,600 adult learners in their quests to learn to read. They also have a 'Ready To Read' youth program for 4th-12th graders reading below grade level. Their efforts have been greatly aided by Discover Intensive Phonics (DIP), adopted in 1998 as the library's core reading program. They use a combination of direct instruction along with the software on a network of 5 computer stations to facilitate their students' needs.

"Discover Intensive Phonics works because it is a systematic method of teaching basic concepts and adding layers of skills at each learner’s pace,” says William Byrne-Literacy Coordinator, who is also a certified DIP instructor. “Our learners often tell me that, at long last, they finally have a tutor who can explain the differences between a, at, ate, and eat. It really does give learners independence and confidence to read on their own."

Follow Burbank Literacy on:

Burbank Library blog @ Lĭt / uh / ruh / sē Äw / fĭs
Facebook
MySpace
Twitter
and Tuesday Readers blog - a book club for New Readers

Camarena Memorial Library 760 . 768 . 2170

Adult Literacy Services
These services are offered to adults, 16 years or older who are not enrolled in school, who would like to improve their English reading skills. One-on-one tutoring is available upon enrollment in the program. Americorps members provide volunteer tutoring assistance to learners through the California Library Literacy Services program.

Families for Literacy
The second Thursday of each month (September thru June), the FFL families get together to spend time with their children. The main purpose of the program is to encourage early literacy through fun reading activities with their parents. FFL aims to expand language skills- reading, writing, speaking and listening. This program is for parents with children five years old and younger who are enrolled in the Adult Literacy Program. It is funded by LSTA funds administered through the California State Library.

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