Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Hemet Library - Hemet Library Raises Funds for Literacy

Hemet Library Raises Funds for LiteracyPress-Enterprise: 9.12.07 by Diane A Rhodes

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Some came in strollers, some in wheelchairs and many in sneakers to participate in the second annual Walk-A-Mile for Literacy on Saturday.

Hosted by Hemet Public Library Adult Literacy Services, AmeriCorps and Hemet Adult Literacy Advocates, the event was intended to raise awareness and funds.

According to Adult Literacy Services Program Director Lori Eastman, nearly one in five adult residents of the Hemet-San Jacinto Valley is functionally illiterate.

About 250 supporters who participated in Saturday's Walk-A-Mile for Literacy gather for a raffle at the Hemet Public Library.

The Walk-A-Mile route, which measures out to be closer to two miles, contained 15 checkpoints for about 250 walkers to stop and learn about the importance of reading. Each table provided tickets for prizes that were raffled off after everyone met upstairs at the library. READ ON

Monday, September 17, 2007

Santa Maria Library - Spellers Aid Literacy With Contest

Spellers Aid Literacy With ContestLompoc Record: 9.9.07 by Luis Ernesto Gomez

No eight letters had eased so much tension as the word "zeppelin" did Saturday when two members of the Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary Club snatched first place at the 15th Annual Adult Spelling Bee.

"We've never made it this far," said Mike Gibson, who had paired with Mike Tolbert for nearly 18 rounds. "We usually make it up to the third or fourth round."
The pair finished first over St. Joseph High School students Natalie Favorite and Bianca Davis, both 17 years old, in a six-round tie-breaker. Susan and Robert Rees of the Noontime Rotary Club of Santa Maria finished in third place.

Some 33 two-person teams squared off in the often frustrating competition, which raises thousands of dollars for the Central Coast Literacy Council and was sponsored by the Santa Maria Times. Proceeds pay for materials and programs aimed to improve the reading and writing skills of adults. READ ON

Friday, September 14, 2007

Santa Paula Blanchard Library - International Literacy Day September 8

International Literacy Day September 8
Santa Paula News: 9.5.07

If you can read this, CELEBRATE International Literacy Day, September 8, 2007.

Since 1985, Santa Paula’s Blanchard Library FLAIR literacy program has been providing one-to-one volunteer tutors to help adults with reading, writing and math. Hundreds of adults have achieved success in reaching their literacy goals, ranging from being able to read a children’s book to earning a college degree. Meet a few of them:

“Before I came to FLAIR I couldn’t understand English. Now I speak, read and write it.” – Maria

“I was nervous at first but I took the ESL classes and then got a tutor. I’m learning grammar and cursive penmanship. I’m learning more and more.” – Francisco

“I read to my daughter.” – Luis

“FLAIR has been one of the most important things that has come into our lives. My husband and I have experienced good job opportunities… my daughter and older son have now graduated college.” – Martha

“I appreciate my tutor. She helps me. I want to work in a hospital convalescent home. It’s a good program. I love my library.” – Rosa

“I want a better life for my kids.” – Victor

To help celebrate these (and many other) goals and accomplishments, you can:

• Publicize our literacy program with posters and flyers

• Become a volunteer tutor

• Make a donation, which will receive a match from the California State Library - $6 will bring us $2, $9 will bring us $3, $12 will bring us $4, etc.

Call FLAIR at 525-2384. Happy reading!

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Palmdale Library - Literacy tutors sought: Library helps more Valley adults read

Literacy tutors sought: Library helps more Valley adults read
Antelope Valley Press: 9.06.2007 by Lindsay Hymas

An estimated 17,500 adults in the Antelope Valley are illiterate, according to the Palmdale Library Adult Literacy Program.

The Palmdale Library is looking for volunteers to help reduce those numbers through its free program available to any English-speaking adult.

Since its inception in February 2002, the Palmdale Library Adult Literacy Program has trained approximately 150 volunteers who have worked with more than 300 adults, teaching them basic reading and writing.

The National Literacy Act of 1991, defines literacy as an individual's ability to read, write and speak in English; compute and solve problems at levels of proficiency necessary to function on the job and in society; to achieve one's goals and to develop one's knowledge and potential.

Being illiterate does not mean a person is stupid, said Rod Williams, literacy coordinator for the Palmdale Library Literacy Program.

"It is important to look past the problem and see the person. Illiteracy is correctable.

"Illiterate adults should know they are not alone and that the program exists to help," Williams said. "There's a lot people can get out of a literacy program."

A five-year grant from the California Library Literacy Service provided funding for the volunteer-based program where tutors meet with students for one to 1½ hours once or twice a week for six months, Williams said.

Once a month, Williams conducts a six-hour training session for volunteer tutors, he said. During the training Williams screens volunteers, gives them an orientation to the program and introduces them to different teaching techniques, he said.

Each volunteer receives a teaching manual along with a copy of "The Voyage," a series of nine books representing varying levels of comprehension.

"My main objective in training is to get people to feel comfortable working one-on-one with other people. What I'm really looking for is people with patience and a sense of humor," Williams said.

Tutors should understand that literacy doesn't happen overnight; it takes time, William said. "I tell them, 'You're getting to impact someone's life.' That's a time commitment."

Each student receives a copy of "The Voyage" for his or her literacy level, and a copy of Litstart, a one-stop shop for the literacy program that includes techniques, phonics, word lists and more, Williams said.

Students also can bring their own material to tutoring sessions each week. "Anything is fair game," Williams said. "If they want to bring in comics or the newspaper, that's fine. Anything that helps them to read.

"Our long-term goal is that every student, by the time they leave, can function better in society," Williams said.

Palmdale City Librarian Nancy Quelland said the library's literacy program is a great service for the community. It "provides an opportunity for people to improve their reading and writing," she said, which "affects every aspect of their lives."

According to Quelland, the Adult Literacy Program is "very specialized because it's geared toward their needs, and they are able to set their own personal goals."

Not all students become truly engaged in the program, Williams said. While some students only meet their once-a-week minimum, others are yearning to learn more, he said.

So 1½ years ago, the literacy program introduced small classroom workshops for those who are really motivated, Williams said.

"We've found that having small classroom workshops in addition to the one-on-one tutoring provides supplemental instruction and extra social support for learning," he said.

The workshops help students hone basic math skills, reading and spelling skills, phonics and word family recognition skills.

California has about 100 literacy programs, but the Palmdale Library's literacy program is the only library program of its kind in the Valley, Williams said.

Other literacy resources in the community include remedial courses at Antelope Valley College, the AV Adult School, various church-run programs and private tutors.

Workshops for the Palmdale Library Literacy Program are conducted in the Palmdale Cultural Hall, but session meeting places are organized by the tutor and learner and can be conducted in any quiet public place, including the City Library and Palmdale Youth Library, Williams said.

Williams estimates one out of every five adults cannot read well enough "to fill out a simple application, read a food label or read a child a bedtime story."

According to the American Library Association, the impact of low literacy skills on society is enormous, correlating to income levels, unemployment rates, health care issues, crime statistics, remedial training and voter participation.

For details about the program, call Rod Williams at (661) 267-5682.


Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Lompoc Library - Celebrate Literacy Day by becoming a volunteer

Celebrate Literacy Day by becoming a volunteerLompoc Record: 9.04.07 - by Linda Warren

“International Literacy Day” is observed annually on Sept. 8 - this Saturday - to focus attention on worldwide literacy needs. More than 780 million of the world's adults, (nearly two-thirds women) don't know how to read or write. Between 94 and 115 million children lack access to education. Even in one of the richest countries in the world, illiteracy is a very sad fact.

I recently became a tutor, after I retired from a long career, and have been richly blessed by my student. I was trained in a few short evenings and was surprised that I needed no formal education in teaching to become a tutor. I had a friend years before, whose mother had taught others to read in the evening at the library. I thought to myself that I could also become a volunteer someday, once I retired and had more time. I discovered that it only takes a couple of hours a week to be a tutor, meeting twice a week.

My first student is a woman originally from another country, who only completed eighth grade. She is very eager to learn and is an excellent student. She signed up for many reasons, one of which is to be able to communicate with others and advance at her job. We have become friends and enjoy the time that we spend together. Not only do I have an opportunity to teach her to improve her reading skills, but I have also gained a friend.

To address the problem of illiteracy in our community, the Lompoc Public Library established an Adult Reading Program in 1998. In 18 years, the program has assisted more than 1,200 adults with improved reading and writing skills. The program is partly funded by the state library and the City of Lompoc, but contributions from community organizations and individuals assure the program's services will continue.

To become a volunteer tutor or make a tax-free donation, simply call 735-READ or stop by the library during regular hours and check with someone at the desk for more information. The next tutor training workshop starts Sept. 19 in the evening. This is a wonderful opportunity that anyone can do who has the desire to help someone read. It's changed my life and I know that it will change yours as well. Be a tutor and become a friend to someone today. Give the gift of reading today.

Linda Warren is literacy tutor for the Lompoc Public Library.

Monday, September 3, 2007

Orange Co Library - READ/Orange County - National Literacy Month

National Literacy Month

katydiddys is offering Literary Cupcake Notecards!

5% of profits (and FREE shipping) will be donated to the Friends of READ Orange County, an organization that supports the adult literacy program of the Orange County Public Library.

Click here to order.

Friday, August 31, 2007

SCLLN Literacy Library Calendar - September 2007

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

Sep 6: Annual Celebration of Literacy – Newport Beach Public Library
Presenter: Newport Beach Public Library. Contact: Literacy Office. Thursday, September 6, 2007, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Newport Beach Public Library 1000 Avacado Newport Beach CA 92660. For more info visit
http://www.newportliteracy.org/.

Sep 8: Walk A Mile For Literacy – Hemet Public Library
2nd Annual $10.00 - Adults $ 5.00 - Children, 5-12 Prizes. Ticket Phone: (951)765-3856. Contact: Hemet Public Library Adult Literacy Services. Saturday, September 8, 2007, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Hemet Public Library Adult Literacy Services 315 E Latham Hemet CA. For more info visit
http://www.cityofhemet.org/library/literacy.htm

Sep 8: Central Coast Book & Author Festival – San Luis Obispo Co. Library Saturday, September 8, 2007, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Mission Plaza San Luis Obispo CA. For more info visit
http://www.ccbookfestival.org/

Sep 8: Spelling Bee Fundraiser - Santa Maria City Library
Help the free Santa Maria City Library Literacy program. Presenter: Central Coast Literacy Council. Ticket Phone: (805)922-9200. Contact: Central Coast Literacy Council. Saturday, September 8, 2007, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Souza Center 708 S Miller Santa Maria CA. For more info visit
centralcoastliteracy.org

Sep 15: Spellabration-Ice Cream Social - Orange Public Library
1st Annual Spelling Bee 3-person teams: $225 Prizes. Age Range: All Ages. Ticket Phone: 714.288.2474. Ticket Web Link: http://www.cityoforange.org/library. Contact: Orange Public Library. Saturday, September 15, 2007. Orange Public Library 407 E Chapman Orange CA 92866. For more info visit
http://www.cityoforange.org/depts/library/bee/default.asp

Sep 28: Scrabble Fundraiser - Santa Barbara Public Library
Stand Up And Spell - Scrabble Challenge Kick-Off event for the Santa Barbara Book & Author Festival Entry Fee: $20.00. Presenter: Santa Barbara Public Library. Age Range: Families. Ticket Phone: (805)546-5619. Contact: bschwartzberger@santabarbara.gov. Friday, September 28, 2007, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM. Santa Barbara Public Library Faulkner Gallery 40 E Anapamu Santa Barbara CA. For more info visit
http://www.sbplibrary.org/

Sep 30: Celebrating Literacy & Multiculture - Santa Maria
Second Annual. Presenter: Central Coast Literacy Council. Ticket Phone: (805)922-9200. Contact: Central Coast Literacy Council. Sunday, September 30, 2007, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Santa Maria City Library Santa Maria CA. For more info visit
centralcoastliteracy.org