Saturday, July 13, 2013

Imperial County Library: Literacy can be helped through adult programs

Literacy can be helped through adult programs

It’s been 10 years since a comprehensive national study by the U.S. Department of Education assessed the literacy and English-language comprehension of Americans, and the results still hang over Imperial County.

At that time, Imperial County was determined to be the most illiterate county in the most illiterate state in the country. With 23 percent of all adult Californians unable to pass a national survey testing their ability to understand a simple paragraph of English-language text, those results were compounded by the knowledge that 41 percent of all Imperial County adults were even more troubled in that regard.

English literacy has long been a problem in Imperial County, with numerous factors contributing to dismal rates, including demographics and a reliance of speaking Spanish despite some non-English speakers having lived here all their lives. Socioeconomics also have played a role, or vice versa, almost like that classic chicken-and-egg theory.

And still, finding the Rosetta Stone that cracks that code of English literacy has been difficult to come by, especially as programs meant to teach adults to read, including publicly funded city and county programs and night schools struggle to maintain services and funding.

The city of El Centro is gearing up to start its first book club aimed at helping enhance literacy through reading discussion, but in its true sense, it’s not a literacy program. Still, it’s a vital tool in the ongoing battle to overcome that 41 percent, the only “current” statistics by which the county and the state can set its compass today.

That said, we are fortunate to have an adult literacy program functioning in the Valley again — Libraries Empower Adults to Read Now! Imperial Valley, or LEARN IV. That program is an extension of the Imperial County Free Library System, and it works in conjunction with the city of El Centro, and others, to teach adults to read through individualized coaching.  READ MORE !

Saturday, June 29, 2013

CA and National Literacy & Library Calendar: July 2013

CA and National Literacy & Library Calendar: July 2013

SCLLN
Literacy & Library Events & Conferences
- local, California and National -
the Southern California Library Literacy Network
for more information


July 2  National Literacy Day
      Proclamation 5507, National Literacy Day, 1986, President Reagan
July 17+ Romance Writers of America Conference, Atlanta GA
July 19+ Sierra Storytelling Festival, Nevada City CA
July 18+ Comic-Con International, San Diego
July 19 Wrightslaw Workshop, San Diego, CA 92110
Info about local Tutor Training Workshops is always Scrolling in the Right Frame.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

SCLLN Tutor Workshop Calendar: July 2013

SCLLN Tutor Workshop Calendar: July 2013


For Local, California and National
Literacy or Library Conferences and Events
Southern California Library Literacy Network
Calendar


July 2  Literacy Learner Orientation = READ/OC  1pm
July 8  Literacy Tutor Oreintation = READ/OC  1pm
July 8  Literacy Tutor Workshop = READ/OC  6pm
July 16 Literacy READ Tour = Ventura County Library 6:30pm
July 18 Literacy Tutor Orientation = READ/OC 1pm
July 18 Literacy Tutor Orientation = READ/OC 6pm
July 20 Literacy Tutor Training = San Diego Co Library 10am
July 24 Literacy Tutor Orientation = Newport Beach Library 6pm

Info about local Tutor Training Workshops is always Scrolling in the Right Frame.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Literacy Library Jobs: California - Napa Co, LA

Literacy / Volunteer Jobs: California

Literacy & Volunteer Services Supervisor: FT
County of Napa, CA
Plans, organizes, coordinates and supervises the work of the literacy program and volunteer services for the Napa County Library; develops, processes and writes grants for the literacy program.
Application Deadline: July 12
AmeriCorps VIP Fellow-Literacy Coordinator: FT
Reading to Kids, Los Angeles, CA
Term: August 2013 - August 2014
Assist in mission of inspiring underserved children with a love of reading, thereby enriching their lives and opportunities for future success.
Application Deadline: July

Family Literacy Parent Coordinator: PT
Youth Policy Institute, Los Angeles, CA
Experience in grant implementation including measuring outcomes and deliverables. Must work closely with after school staff, Site Coordinator, school personnel and local community base organizations.
Application Deadline: ?

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Newport Beach Library - Gift of Literacy: A Great Success


Gift of Literacy: A Great Success
Literally Speaking: May/June 2013 by Francine Jacome
Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy Newsletter

On April 19, 2013, supporters of Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy gathered at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club in Corona del Mar to hear guest speaker, T. Jefferson Parker, local boy and author of over 19 novels, including the Edgar Award winning Silent Joe and California Girl.

The banquet room was full of attendees who perused the large selection of raffle and silent auction items and waited patiently for Mr. Parker to sign copies of his latest book The Famous And the Dead.

At noon, guests were seated to hear introductions from Advisory Board President Jason Brady, followed by a few words from Mayor Keith Curry. Karen Mascitelli, Chairperson of the 2013 Luncheon, recognized her committee for all of their hard work in putting together the annual event. Literacy Coordinator Cherall Weiss then introduced literacy tutor JoAnn Krupp, who spoke of her experience working with her learner, Yoshiko Harima. Yoshiko then took to the podium and expressed her gratitude toward the literacy program and her tutor for helping her to become an advocate for her children, and, in particular, her young son with special needs.

After Yoshiko’s emotional speech, lunch was served and several of the raffle baskets where drawn. Once dessert was finished, Mr. Parker spoke to the crowd and gave an engaging and humorous account of his experiences working at the Newport Ensign and Daily Pilot and his challenges in becoming a published author. His talk was followed by an open Q & A session from the audience, and then Mr. Brady presented him with a gift from the program. A final raffle draw was held for the remaining baskets, and the silent auction winners were announced.

There was nothing but positive comments and compliments from those in attendance, and Mr. Parker proved to be a popular and generous guest.

Thank you to everyone who attended and lent their support to Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy.

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Carlsbad Library - “Sharing Our Stories” Book Signing

“Sharing Our Stories” Book Signing
Carlsbad Library Learning Center
Learning Connections: May/June 2013


A unique event took place at the Learning Center on March 27, 2013. A book release party was attended by approximately 100 people and the book was signed by the authors. What makes the event unique is that the authors of the stories in the book are all learners from Literacy Services. John Corcoran, literacy advocate and author of The Teacher Who Couldn’t Read and The Bridge to Literacy, wrote the book’s foreward, and he was also on hand to autograph books.


Seventeen learners contributed stories to the book, Sharing Our Stories in a Shared Space. The idea for sharing stories in a book resulted from the efforts of tutor, Teresa B., who led a series of classes and helped learners prepare their stories. The actual publication of the book was possible because of a successful San Diego Union-Tribune fundraising effort in April of 2012.


All tutors and learners in Literacy Services received a copy of the book, and copies can also be found in our collection.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

CA and National Literacy & Library Calendar: June 2013

CA and National Literacy & Library Calendar: June 2013

SCLLN
Literacy & Library Events & Conferences
- local, California and National -
Southern California Library Literacy Network
for more information





June 1  Women's Literary Festival - Santa Barbara
June 2+ Health Literacy Summit Institute, Freeport ME
June 13+ Children’s Literature Assoc Conference, Biloxi MS
June 19+ Volunteering & Service Conference, Washington DC
June 27+ American Library Association Conference, Chicago IL
June 27+ Urban Libraries CouncilConference, Chicago I
June 30+ Correction Education Assn Conference Cleveland OH

Info about local Tutor Training Workshops is always Scrolling in the Right Frame.