Showing posts with label Escondido. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Escondido. Show all posts

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Escondido Public Library ◯ Scrabblethon Literacy via Literacy For All


Escondido Public Library ◯ Scrabblethon Literacy
Literacy For All: 2.27.2020 with Jose Cruz

From the Escondido Public Library, we are joined by Sheila Rodriguez, Assistant Literacy Coordinator, Cynthia Chisum, President of the Friends of the Escondido Public Library, and Yvonne Brett, Treasurer for the Friends group. We learn more about the Escondido community and the services and programs offered by the library to support library patrons. The adult literacy program is highlighted. Also highlighted is the Scrabblethon, recognized as the largest Scrabble competition in the region. The event is now in its 16th year and will take place on Saturday, March 7, 2020, in Escondido.  LISTEN 29:57

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Escondido Library :: Private Equity Firm Acquires Rita’s Italian Ice, Now Eying California Public Library

Private Equity Firm Acquires Rita’s Italian Ice, Now Eying California Public Library
Huffington Post: 9.14.2017 by Donald Cohen

January. The outskirts of Philadelphia. 23 degrees. It’s hard to imagine anyone buying Rita’s Italian ice.

But Argosy did just that earlier this year.

Specializing in acquiring companies, cutting costs, and selling them for a profit, the Pennsylvania-based private equity firm added the frozen dessert chain Rita’s to its portfolio of investments, which includes a prison phone company and a handful of Pizza Hut franchises, among others.

And now they’re eyeing the library in Escondido, California. That’s right, a public library.

Well, not exactly. Argosy owns Library Systems & Services (LS&S), the country’s largest library management company, which is trying to sell its services to the small city north of San Diego. LS&S is using the same rap—that privatization saves taxpayer money by bringing “optimization” and “efficiency”—that it’s used to gobble up 83 libraries across the country.

While the Escondido City Council seems to have bought in—they voted last month to outsource to LS&S but have yet to sign the contract—taxpayers aren’t having it. The library’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously against privatization and thousands of residents have signed a petition to keep the library public.

Even the American Library Association has weighed in, writing that after privatization the “community will not know how its taxpayer dollars are being spent.”  READ MORE >>


Thursday, November 13, 2014

Literacy Library Jobs - California :: Escondido :: Marin :: Salinas

Literacy Jobs - California

technical services, collection development, the provision of reference assistance, library services and instruction to all age groups as well as program planning and implementation; may supervise paraprofessional staff and volunteers.
DEADLINE: Nov 17

Family Literacy Coach - HEART High School After School Program - PT
Pro-Youth - Tulare
DEADLINE: Nov 28

Spanish Language Services - West Marin
The Community Library Specialist, Spanish Language Services, for the West Marin Literacy Program and Point Reyes library, has wide ranging and interesting responsibilities. Half time, the CLS is responsible for the daily operation of MCFL’s West Marin Literacy Services which offers ESL classes and one-on-one tutoring to English language learners throughout West Marin County
DEADLINE: Open

12-Month, Grant-Funded Position
The primary functions of this position are to collect parenting ladder data for reporting purposes and to implement early literacy playgroups in the library and/or a city recreation center using a pre-set curriculum that includes facilitating open play, singing songs, conducting story time and engaging with parents.
DEADLINE: Open

Literacy Clerk Temporary, Grant Funded
perform a wide variety of general and clerical duties, including those related to literacy Services
DEADLINE: Open


Monday, October 27, 2014

Literacy Library Jobs - California: Downey :: Carlsbad :: Escondido :: Tulare

Literacy Jobs - California

Assists with the planning and organizing of literacy events, including author visits, support meetings, recognition events, book discussions and family nights.
DEADLINE: Open

performs learner assessments, tutor training and reporting for the adult and teen literacy program in addition to proving traditional library services.
DEADLINE: Open


Oversee the Early Learning for Families (ELF) and Early Literacy Training program for READ TO SUCCEED
DEADLINE: Nov 5


technical services, collection development, the provision of reference assistance, library services and instruction to all age groups as well as program planning and implementation; may supervise paraprofessional staff and volunteers.

DEADLINE: Nov 17

November 10, 2014
teaching a structured, after school, literacy intervention program that seeks to enable at risk Kindergarten through 2nd grade students to achieve at grade level or above. Group Leaders work in public schools throughout the East Bay Area
DEADLINE: Nov 10

REACH Pico Rivera, CA
enhance children’s overall academic performance, reduce absenteeism, improve behavior and re-engage the child in the educational process by providing homework assistance, mentoring, performing arts and recreational activities in a safe, supervised environment. The Classroom Leaders are responsible for providing engaging and positive daily learning experiences to approximately 20 students
DEADLINE: Open


Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Escondido Library - Born To Read

Crafty C.A.T.S. Delivering Baby Hats

The Crafty C.A.T.S. have been hard at work for the last few months knitting almost 100 hats for newborn babies and their moms at Palomar Medical Center. We will be delivering these gifts as part of the Escondido Public Library Literacy Department's Born to Read program tomorrow, May 18, 2011.

WHO: It's for tweens and teens ages 11+.
WHAT: Crafty C.A.T.S. (Community Action Teen Service) is the best and most entertaining way to earn community service credit. Here are just a few of our ongoing projects and community partners:
- Beanies for newborn babies at Palomar Hospital with Born to Read
- Chemo caps for cancer patients at Sharp Cancer Center
- Bookmarks to sell at the library
- Snuggle blankets for homeless animals at the Escondido Humane Society
- Gloves, hats, and scarves for troops overseas through the Ships Project
- Squares of Hope to make blankets for African AIDS orphans

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Escondido Library & San Diego County Library - Libraries, hospital team up for reading program


ESCONDIDO: Libraries, hospital team up for reading program
Born To Read program aimed at dads this year
NC Times: June 17, 2010 by Rachel Hutman

The Escondido and Ramona libraries teamed up with Palomar Medical Center this week for an annual program aimed at getting more parents excited about reading to their children.

This year's Born to Read program, now in its 10th year, was aimed primarily at dads with newborns at the medical center in the days leading up to Father's Day on Sunday.

6 6 6 6 6 6 6

"The program hopes to impress upon fathers the importance of being literate in an ever-changing society," said Josephine Jones, director of literacy services at Escondido Public Library.

The program was developed by the American Library Association as a way to persuade families to read more and to start their own home libraries.

6 6 6 6 6 6 6

For more information about the Escondido Library's Family Literacy and Early Literacy programs, contact Robin Wright-Parker at 760-839-4272. A PDF copy of the Born to Read brochure is available at ALA. For more information about the Ramona Library, contact Slade at 760-738-2436. READ MORE !


Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Escondido Library - AmeriCorps and SCLLN Conferences

AmeriCorps and SCLLN Conferences
Escondido Literacy Newsletter: Mar/Apr 2010 by John Guigayoma

Two transfer flights, four continental breakfasts, and one drive through a rainy highway later, I have finally returned from two literacy conferences across the country, and the Annex feels even more like home. I journeyed out of sunny Escondido to present a two training workshops, meet other tutors and learners, and learn a few strategies to take back and share.

I hopped on a plane for the three day Literacy*AmeriCorps Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I met other AmeriCorps members visiting everywhere from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. After braving 30-degree weather and a couple inches of snow, I presented a workshop on goal-setting for learners, using our program’s orientation session as a model. I received great feedback from other AmeriCorps members who were eager to apply our methods to their programs.

Just a day after returning from Pittsburgh, I drove up to L.A. for the Southern California Library Literacy Network’s annual conference in Buena Park. Attendees included tutors, staff and learners from across the state, and the energy among everyone committed to literacy was exciting. Literacy coordinator Myrna Montano and I presented another workshop on goal setting, and it was great to be able to apply our strategies to help direct the goals of the learners in the room.

After a week of traveling, I’m glad I’m back at the Annex, and I’m ready to jump back into classes. I attended a few great workshops, including one on transitioning G.E.D. students to college and one on teaching learners to decode new words using a few quick tips. If you’d like to hear more about what I learned or even about the weather on the other side of the country, stop by the Annex sometime so we can chat!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Escondido Library - Guys Read, and Like it, in Middle School Literacy Program

Guys Read, and Like it, in Middle School Literacy Program
NCTimes: January 31, 2010 by Gary Wrath

Boys will be boys, but that doesn't mean they can't appreciate a good read.

At two middle schools in Escondido, boys are taking one lunch break a week to read and discuss books, stories, graphic novels and even song lyrics with one another and two adult volunteers.

"I joined it because I was interested in the articles they had to read," said Del Dios eighth-grader Jose Agundez. "It's pretty chill. All my friends are here."

His eighth-grade friend, Ezequiel Ramirez, said he didn't like reading before joining the group. "This makes it fun," he said. "They make you understand the stories."

The two students were among nine boys sitting in a semicircle in a Del Dios shop class with adults Luis Hernandez and Michael Zepada, volunteers in the literacy program Guys Read, held each Thursday at Del Dios and each Friday at Mission Park middle schools.

"Guys like doing things together," Hernandez said. "If it's a sport, or reading, we tell each other about it."

But while boys may like reading in elementary school, they feel uncomfortable doing something so solitary around other students once in middle school, Hernandez said.

"They don't want to be the person in the lunch room or in the library, alone with a book," Hernandez said. "But it can be done in a team, just like anything else guys engage in."

Hernandez and Zepada were AmeriCorps volunteers working with the Escondido Library's Literacy Services when program coordinator Josephine Jones asked them to create a reading program targeted at young males.

Hernandez and Zepada also hold a Saturday session once a month called a Mash Up, where boys are asked to bring their fathers to the library to participate in discussions.

Jones, the program coordinator, said she would like to expand the program beyond the two schools, but needs more volunteers. Anyone interested in helping the program can call Jones at 760-839-4219. READ MORE !


Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Adult Literacy Awareness Month - Downey Library - Escondido Library

Adult Literacy Awareness Month
September Spotlight
on SCLLN Literacy Programs

Downey City Library – Adult Literacy

The Downey City Library is committed to helping people learn how to read better. If you understand English, are over eighteen years old, and need help reading you may contact the Adult Literacy program for an assessment. Then once a week for an hour and a half you will meet with a tutor at the library who will teach you to read. The student may determine the day and time they would like to be tutored.

Escondido Public Library Literacy Program

The Escondido Public Library Literacy Services has been in existence since 1990. One in four adults cannot read and over 500,000 struggle with reading in San Diego County. We assist English speaking learners in achieving their goals based on individual needs.

Literacy Spans A Lifetime Slide Show

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

SCLLN Newsletters

SCLLN Newsletters
Check Out "Member Newsletters" !

from Escondido . . .
We began our Youth Academic Mentoring Program on October 6, 2008, and every day we get a new influx of students. The Mentor Center, housed over at the East Valley Community Complex, provides a learning environment where 1st – 8th graders can come in and work with one of fourteen CSU San Marcos interns.

Besides tutoring services, the interns act as mentors to our young learners, providing them with companionship, conversation and guidance in career exploration.

from Palmdale . . .
Learning about Wine by Ben Novelli
The Palmdale Literacy Program gave me the tools I needed to read and write. That has allowed me to do research so I am able to write an article on wine. Thank you Palmdale for having a Literacy Program.

I love wine, and I try to learn as much as I can about the stuff. There have been a lot of changes in the wine world. For instance, French wines were the wines to drink for years, but in 1976 California came onto the scene.

from San Diego County . . .

“Read for the Record” was an exciting event that took place on October 2nd at two library branches: El Cajon and Encinitas.

It was a wonderful way for L.E.A.R.N. to help Jumpstart, a national nonprofit organization, promote early childhood literacy. Jumpstart’s campaign has spread the importance of reading and family literacy across the country since 1993! This year they projected that 400,000 children would participate in helping to break the record of reading the same book, Don Freeman’s “Corduroy,” on the same day.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

John Corcoran - Teacher Who Couldn't Read

An Open Book
High school teacher who couldn't read shares his story as an advocate of education
San Diego Union Tribune: January 26, 2008 by Stephanie K. Parry

OCEANSIDE - John Corcoran taught in the Oceanside Unified School District for 17 years and didn't know how to read.

(By the time) I was 48 years old, I had already graduated from college, taught school for 17 years in California, and I couldn't read or write or spell my native language of English," Corcoran said. This spring, Corcoran, 70, will publish his second book, "Bridge to Literacy: No Child or Adult Left Behind."

"This book really is a call for action. It's a call for gathering all the tribes on both sides of the bridge," Corcoran said. "We, as a society, cannot leave all of this to the teachers."

Corcoran's first book, "The Teacher Who Couldn't Read," told his story of struggling through elementary and high school and then college, and his subsequent experiences as an illiterate educator.

He said he wanted the world to know he didn't beat the system by faking his way through life.

"The system beats people who can't read every single day," Corcoran said.

He explained how he cheated his way through school by stealing copies of tests to memorize and having friends complete his assignments.

"I knew how to read the system, and I knew how to read people," Corcoran said.

He hid his secret from everyone except his wife, Kathleen.

"My wife was the person who did my reading and writing for me. She was my translator in a sense," Corcoran said.

Then he heard about a program at Carlsbad City Library that taught adults to read. He said he decided to try it in 1986, even though he doubted his ability to learn.

"As an adult who doesn't know how to read, we usually think something is wrong with our brain and we can't learn," Corcoran said. "So we give up on the system early, and we give up on ourselves and we carry this with us, this insecurity and fear of the written word."

He recalled lying in bed every night and thinking he wouldn't go back to his tutoring sessions because he didn't think they would do any good.

"I was going because I almost felt sorry for this 65-year-old woman (Eleanor Condit) who thought she could teach me how to read," Corcoran said.

Some days the pair would hold their classes in a room at the fire station next door to the library. The firefighter who opened the door for them was one of Corcoran's former students, so Corcoran asked his tutor to pretend he was teaching her how to read so his secret wouldn't be revealed.

Corcoran said he participated in the program for 13 months and was able to improve his reading comprehension.

"When I went from the second-grade level to the sixth-grade level, I thought I'd died and went to heaven. It whetted my appetite (to learn more)," Corcoran said.

"What we do is help people participate in their life by helping them improve their literacy skills," said Carrie Scott, literacy coordinator at the Carlsbad City Library.
. . . . .
His experiences led Cocoran to become an advocate for education, and he served under former presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton on the board for the National Institute for Literacy. He also served on the San Diego Council on Literacy and the executive board of the Literacy Network of Greater Los Angeles.

He has spread his message on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "Larry King Live" and "20/20."

"I just went to the library to learn how to read," Cocoran said.

"I didn't think I would learn how to read ... and here I am writing a second book." READ ON

Literacy facts:
~ More than 20 percent of adults read at or below a fifth-grade level.
~ Forty-three percent of people with the lowest literacy skills live in poverty.
~ Workers who lack a high school diploma earn an average of $452 a month. Source: National Institute for Literacy


Learn more:
For more information on learning to read, contact the San Diego Council on Literacy at (888) 850-READ (7323) or visit literacysandiego.org.

Local adult reading programs
Palomar College (760) 744-1150
Oceanside Public Library (760) 435-5680
MiraCosta College (760) 795-8710
Escondido Public Library (760) 747-2233
Carlsbad City Library (760) 434-2998

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Escondido Library - Scrabble - Thon: February 2

Scrabble - Thon: February 2

Escondido Public Library's Literacy Services will host its fourth annual Scrabble-thon competition from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 2 at Emmanuel Faith Community Church, 639 E. Felicita Ave.

Scrabble-thon is open to the public -- high school-age students and adults. The entry fee for teams of four is $100; individual entries cost $30. Entry registration will close Jan. 28.

Proceeds will go toward providing literacy services in the community, benefiting adult learning communities, family literacy programming, mobile library services and early-learning labs. There also will be a multi-item raffle and a silent auction, featuring autographed items from Baseball Hall of Famer Dave Winfield. Trophies will be given to first- and second-place winning teams, and first- and second-place individuals.

Scrabble-thon is sponsored by the Altrusa of Escondido Foundation, the Bank of Escondido, North County Times and the San Diego Council on Literacy. Registration and information: 760 . 747 .2233.

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Escondido Library - Library offers labs to help with reading, writing skills

Library offers labs to help with reading, writing skills
Union Tribrune: December 26, 2007 by Pat Sherman

Anita Ornelas concentrated on the image before her, chin resting in her palm as she considered a single letter on the computer screen: B.

“This word has a 'bah' sound,” a computerized voice chimed.

Although she was born in the United States and speaks fluent English, Ornelas never learned to read or write, for decades relying on her husband to convey directions and instructions.

The longtime Escondido resident dropped out of high school in her junior year to raise her first child. When her husband died three years ago, routine tasks became exceedingly difficult.

“Now, here I am all by myself,” Ornelas, 54, said. “Everything was on him.”

Ornelas is one of many North County residents taking advantage of the Escondido Public Library's literacy services program, which expanded last month to include three computer-based literacy labs at its East Valley branch. The labs are designed to encourage adults and families to work independently on literacy-based activities.

The adult lab is equipped with software that assists with keyboarding, reading and writing skills. Two children's labs are geared to help preschool-age children prepare for school; they have worksheets and exercises to study at home.

Ornelas discovered the program this year out of frustration. Unable to read bus schedules to get around town, she walked into the Escondido Public Library's main branch, pleading for help.
. . . . . . .
The skills that Rodriguez is learning in the lab and through the ESL course also allow her to help her second-grader with her homework, she said. Rodriguez hopes to use her newfound skills to study nursing. She plans to start a certified nursing assistant training program next month.

Robin Parker, the library's Families for Literacy coordinator, said the labs allow people who can't take adult education courses because of work schedules or parenting obligations to squeeze in study time when it is convenient.

“Learners come to us from very different backgrounds,” Parker said. “(Some) can have a very good conversation with you in English, but they would have a hard time with job applications or writing a résumé.

The labs include a section where textbooks and study guides can be checked out for up to two months.

Tutors and staff members also are trying to dispel misconceptions about the way children grasp language concepts.

“Parents get a lot of mixed messages,” Parker said. “Some of them think that reading to your child is literally sitting there and reading the book and then that's it. They don't really know how to engage the children. Some parents (who) . . . can't read in English don't read to their children because they don't want to mess up their ability to learn English.”

However, reading to children in any language is valuable, Parker said.

“They're instilling a love for reading and reading books in any language,” she said. READ ON


Escondido library literacy labs
11 a.m. to 8 p.m.Tuesdays and Thursdays
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
East Valley Community Center, 2245 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido
Information: (760) 839-4272


Monday, December 3, 2007

SCLLN Tutor Workshop Calendar - December 2007

Southern California Library Literacy Network
Event Calendar: December 2007
- visit SCLLN for more events -

Dec 4: Tutor Training - Newport Beach Public LibraryAlso: Dec 6, 11 and 13 949 . 717 . 3875. Ticket Phone: 949.717.3875. Tuesday, December 4, 2007, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Central Library 1000 Avocado Ave. Newport Beach, CA 92660. For more info visit
Newport Beach PL Literacy

Dec 15: Tutor Training - Escondido Public LibraryVolunteer - Help an adult improve reading and writing skills. 760 . 747 . 2233. Presenter: Escondido PL Literacy Services. Ticket Phone: 760.747.2233. Saturday, December 15, 2007, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM. For more info visit
Escondido Public Library 

Dec 15: Tutor Training - Los Angeles Public Library
All Volunteers must be Interviewed First ! Contact: 213 . 228 . 7037. Ticket Phone: (213)228-7037. Contact: Literacy Office. Saturday, December 15, 2007, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Lincoln Heights Branch 2530 Workman St LA CA 90031. For more info visit
LAPL Literacy
Literacy program helps adults

Dec 2, 07: by Rachel Byrd

APPLE VALLEY — Alejandrina Roldan has been in the United States for 10 years, but it has taken years for her to gain the confidence to speak English.

Roldan, 31, born in Mexico, has been participating in the Hi-D.A.R.E. literacy program through the Apple Valley Newton T. Bass Branch Library for the past three years. With the help of tutor Margaret Goldman, Roldan has improved her reading and writing skills, and she recently was one of three winners in a statewide literacy contest.

Contestants read Ernest Hemingway’s “Old Man and the Sea” and wrote a letter to Hemingway. Roldan received $150, a plaque and a journal for her submission.

“I’m more confident, especially with Margaret telling me that I just had to talk,” Roldan said. “I was extremely shy. The hardest thing has always been speaking.”

Hi-D.A.R.E. offers free one-on-one tutoring for adults in the Victor Valley. The program has been around since the mid-1980s, and right now there are 60 tutors and 75 learners, said Larry Weisz, literacy specialist for the Apple Valley Library.

Tutors help adults with reading, writing, math, basic computer skills, and to prepare for the GED, Weisz said. Most learners are English-speaking, and perform at a third- or fourth-grade level.

“Many people come in here in tears,” Weisz said.

Roldan has taken classes at Victor Valley College, but when her third child was born three years ago, she was too busy to enroll. She continued to study English on her own at home, until she visited the library and learned about the tutoring program.

Goldman told Roldan that she could bring her daughter with her to their sessions. The two have been meeting about twice a week for the past three years, and Roldan now plans on enrolling at VVC full-time for the Spring semester.

In her spare time, Roldan said that she likes to read and write poetry and short stories in English.

Roldan wants to be a teacher some day, to help others who are struggling as she has with the English language, and she is interested in tutoring for the GED. Roldan said that when she is ready, she would like to volunteer as a tutor in the Hi-D.A.R.E. program

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Escondido Library - New literacy labs will be focus of library open house

New literacy labs will be focus of library open house
North County Times: Nov 27, 2007

ESCONDIDO -- The Escondido Public Library's East Valley Branch will hold a holiday open house from 2:30 to 6 p.m. Nov. 29 to launch its new Literacy Services program and announce the development of three literacy labs.

The focus of the labs is to encourage adults and families to work independently on literacy-focused activities, provide links to community services and expand knowledge of library resources. The adult lab is equipped with a laptop computer and software programs that allow learners to work on keyboarding, language and reading skills. Early literacy and school readiness are the focus of the two children's labs, which also provide worksheets and activities for families to work on at home.

The event also is supported by Altrusa International of Escondido members, who will provide light refreshments and free books for children who attend the open house.

The East Valley Branch Library is in the East Valley Community Center at 2245 E. Valley Parkway. Information: Robin Wright Parker, (760) 839-4272

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Escondido Library - Escondido literacy program helps people reach goals

Escondido literacy program helps people reach goalsNorth County Times: 6.06.07 By: Paul Eakins

ESCONDIDO -- When Araceli Capilla began taking literacy classes at Escondido Public Library, her goal was to improve the English she had learned in order to become a U.S. citizen after moving here from Mexico.

But three years later, Capilla, 45, has been inspired to go beyond simply speaking better.

The library's literacy program, in which Capilla and many other Escondido residents get one-on-one help from a tutor several days a week, has given her the English the longtime housewife needed to get a job. Eventually, she hopes to become a pharmacy technician, largely thanks to the teaching and inspiration of her tutor.

"She motivated me to set my goals," Capilla said last week. "When I came to this program, my English level was very low. The program's helped me to improve my speaking, reading and writing."

The literacy program began in 1990 and since has expanded its services, facilities and resources, said Josephine Jones, the program's director. Last year, 117 adults were tutored by about 85 volunteers, she said.

Native English speakers use the program to get their General Equivalency Diploma, or GED, or to improve basic skills they didn't fully acquire in their schooling.

"We started out as a literacy program for native English speakers who somehow had fallen through the cracks," Jones said at her office last week.

About four years ago, the library at 239 S. Kalmia opened a learning annex for the literacy program next door in a small, single-story building. The annex has a small computer lab, individual tutoring classrooms, and books, games and other learning tools.

Last year, the program expanded its English as a second language program by starting a group night class that meets three days a week. Soon, those classes will expand to two separate classes meeting four days a week, Jones said.

The night English class teacher is David Moskowitz, a retired businessman and Escondido resident, who said many of his students are parents whose children usually speak better English than they do, which can create tension.

"This is important for family dynamics," Moskowitz said. "Number one, they can help their children with schooling, and number two, they can communicate better (in English)."

The library also runs after-school literacy programs at five Escondido schools to give extra help to students who need it.

Funding for the literacy program's $300,000 budget comes from the city of Escondido, the state and grants, Jones said. An annual scrabble competition also raises money for the program, bringing in as much as $17,000 from its sponsors, she said.

Fran Caruso, a retired nurse from San Marcos, has tutored in the program for six years after previously tutoring elementary school students.

Teaching adults has its advantages and its challenges, she and Moskowitz said.

"Not all young children want to learn," Caruso said. "Whereas the adults who come here want to learn."

But the obstacle for adults is to be willing to ask questions and not be ashamed, the tutors said.

"The big step for anyone, ESL (English as a second language) or native speaker, is to come and say that they need help," Moskowitz said.

At the learning annex, Dorothy Black, a 48-year-old Jamaican immigrant, studied math last week from a book several inches thick with her tutor, Marshall Spenser of Vista, in preparation for taking her GED.

After first studying on her own but failing the test, she went to the literacy program for help about 1 1/2 years ago, Black said. Since then, she has passed the writing portion of the test and hopes to soon pass the math portion, she said.

Black's goal is to later become a nursing assistant, she said. She credited tutors such as Spenser, a 57-year-old retired soldier, with helping her achieve her dream.

"He's a blessing," Black said. "He's fun to work with, and whatever he's explaining to me makes it easier to understand."

Saturday, December 31, 2005

Escondido Library - Word wizard to help out literacy program

Word wizard to help out literacy program
San Diego Union-Tribune: November 9, 2005 by Pat Sherman

Vocabulary virtuoso and grammar grandmaster Richard Lederer has a term for the condition in which a person transfixed by a radio program is unable to remove himself from his carincarceration.

People who are reluctant to exit their vehicles and enter the supermarket or office during Lederer's weekly show, "A Way With Words," will get a chance to see the Presley of parlance in person. The KPBS host and self-described "verbivore," or one who "devours words," will give a presentation to benefit Escondido Public Library Literacy Services at 7 p.m. tomorrow. The literacy program offers adult language tutoring, bilingual computer classes, a mobile library and other services.

The evening with Lederer is free. Proceeds from the sale of Lederer's books, "Comma Sense: A Fun-damental Guide to Punctuation," "Anguished English" and "The Cunning Linguist" will benefit adult literacy services at the library. Lederer will sign books starting at 6:30 p.m. and again after the one-hour presentation.

Lederer co-hosts "A Way With Words" with etymologist Martha Barnette at noon Saturdays. It is rebroadcast Sundays at 10 a.m.

National Spelling Bee champ Anurag Kashyap of Poway has been a guest on the show. Other young listeners with language conundrums often phone in.

"I think our youngest caller has been about 5, and we get a lot of 8-, 9- and 10-year-olds," Lederer said.

He knows the value of a population who can read and write. According to READ/San Diego, a service of the San Diego Public Library system, 422,000 adults in San Diego County cannot read and write well enough to pursue their professional goals or meet daily needs. There are 2 million native English speakers statewide who are functionally illiterate, according to the National Adult Literacy Survey.

"Literacy is a gateway to reaping the full fruits of our civilization, because books allow us to enter other people's minds and lives and emotions," Lederer said. "If somebody is shut out from that, that's just a terrific shameand it's contagious ...

"An adult becoming literate almost guarantees and assures the next generation in that family or circle being literate, so it's really a multiplier."

During his presentation, the Scripps Ranch resident will have fun with language, while taking a moment to talk about breaking the cycle of illiteracy.

"We fight the good fight for standard English, not that it's superior, but it is more useful when you're trying to communicate with other standard speakers," Lederer said. "We would prefer that people pronounce n-u-c-l-e-a-r correctly. Some people in high places say nuk-u-lar, and we're not in love with it," Lederer said.

Literary Services Coordinator Josephine Jones said the number of people seeking the library's literacy services is on the rise.

"As the high schools are now going through exit exams, what happens to all these kids who can't pass the test?" she asked. "Is it tied to literacy issues? Will we be seeing more of them coming through our door?"

Jones said the program has helped many people learn to read and write.

"Some of the greatest success stories are parents who are now able to read to their children and help them with their homework," she said. "We've had learners who've won awards through the various literacy coalitions throughout the state."

The program currently needs volunteers to help adults on a waiting list, Jones said. For more information, call the literacy hotline at (760) 747-2233 or visit www.ci.escondido.ca.us/library and click on "literacy."


What: Literacy benefit with KPBS host Richard Lederer
When: 7 p.m. tomorrow
Where: Escondido Public Library, 239 S. Kalmia St., Escondido
Cost: Free
Information: (760) 747-2233

Saturday, November 30, 1991

Escondido Library - Escondido books new library plan

Escondido books new library planEvening Tribune: January 11, 1991 by Vern Griffin

NO ONE TYPIFIES the changes coming to the Escondido City Library System more than "Larry," one of a new wave of library users in the North County.

Larry is in his mid-30s, has a wife and family and holds a responsible job.

He started coming to the downtown library about seven months ago -- but he didn't come to the library to read one of the facility's more than 180,000 books, magazines or newspapers.

He came to learn to read.

Laura Mitchell, the city's new librarian, said "Larry" -- who really is a composite of the 15 persons now enrolled in Escondido's Read/2000 adult literacy program -- is taking part in one of a number of new programs that Escondido is offering as it embarks on a campaign to better serve the community.

"We have a lot of goals aimed at improving our service to the community," said Mitchell, who took over as librarian when Graham Humphrey retired late last year.

"The next couple of years are going to be busy ones."

She said the long-term goals of the library are to increase its materials from the current 1.7-books-per-resident level to three books per resident for the community of more than 100,000 people.

The Escondido library now consists of a 40,000-square-foot building that was built in 1981. Planning has started on the possibility of setting up a branch library system for the city, Mitchell said.

"We've developed a master plan for our future which will be presented to the City Council next month," she said.

"The city is very supportive of improving the quality of services in the community, and I'm optimistic that we're going to achieve our goals."

The Read/2000 adult literacy program is one example of Escondido's far-reaching goals.

It now has 32 tutors, half of them already matched with adults who are learning to read.

The program, funded with $60,000 in Escondido Library Trust Fund money, is part of a statewide literacy effort. It provides one-on-one tutoring and matches adults wanting to increase their reading levels with appropriate tutors, who are volunteers and are certified in a tutor-training program by the San Diego Literacy Network.

"We expect to be able to match 80 to 100 tutors with students before we're at capacity, and are converting space at the library for the study rooms now," said Lori Dubrawka, coordinator for the Escondido program.

"Our tutors and learners come from Fallbrook, Valley Center, Ramona, Pauma Valley, San Marcos and Vista, as well as Escondido."

She said the free literacy program is seeking more tutors as well as learners and that the library is presenting a free training workshop for potential tutors.

The workshops will be held in the Turrentine Room of the Escondido Public Library at 239 South Kalmia St. on Feb. 2 and 9 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, she said.

Dubrawka said Read/2000 is an outgrowth of a volunteer program involving Altrusa Club International, which operates a worldwide literacy network.

But the new adult literacy program is just part of what the Escondido library offers.

The library has computerized its book and reference library, offers a top children's library and is setting up special programs for the deaf, as well as expanding its bilingual materials, programs and staff.

Mitchell said she's a supporter of broadening library materials beyond just books and other publications, and notes that Escondido now has an extensive video film library that includes more than 7,000 titles.

"More than half of these are educational films and theater classics," Mitchell said. "We lend more than 700 videos out a day."

Says the new librarian, "We're doing everything we can to improve the library. We're surveying people who not only use the library, but also ...the non-users to find out what services they would like to see added at the library.

"I feel the library should meet the needs of the largest number of Escondido residents."

Mitchell joined the Escondido library a year and a half ago as Humphrey's assistant. Prior to that, she was with the San Diego County library system for 15 years. She was the regional librarian for North County library branches from Del Mar and Fallbrook to Ramona before coming to the Escondido library.