California Library Literacy Services Funding

Save

Literacy !

Senate Republicans have proposed the SUSPENSION of California Library Literacy Services funding in the current budget stalemate !

These are the funds local libraries receive each year from the State Library in support of FREE library literacy programs ! CLLS 2007 Report to Legislature.

We need to respond in a big way to best make sure the concerns of the Literacy and Library community are heard loud and strong and that misconceptions on behalf of some legislators are addressed.

Please begin writing letters, faxing and making phone calls. Timing is certainly a key factor ! Your attention and active participation is crucial. This is a very serious threat.

Tomorrow the California Library Association Legislative Committee will meet. The suspension of Literacy Funding will surely be a focal point of the meeting. CLLS funding is truly a state and local partnership.

Why California Library Literacy and English Acquisition Services Are Important to Save: Education Code 4.6 California Library Literacy and English Acquisition Services Program 18880-18884

This FREE critical service helps English-speaking adults improve their reading and writing skills so they can reach their potential as workers, parents, community members and life-long learners. California Library Literacy Services is designed as a volunteer based one-to-one tutoring service to meet the specific needs of each adult learner in a safe, comfortable and confidential library setting.

It is not an ESL program !

State funds are successfully leveraged locally generating over $15 million additional dollars to assist in providing these services. This $15 million would not be available without the state funding.

Adult learners in these library literacy programs were able to meet goals that improved their employment prospects, allowed them to pay their bills, vote, and read to their children for the first time.

Annually over 10,000 volunteers serve as tutors of adult learners and provide over 750,000 hours of volunteer time. Using EDD's average California hourly wage figure for 2007 of $21.78, that's a total of over $16 million contributed in volunteer time.

The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor - State of California
State Capitol
Sacramento CA 95814The Honorable Don Perata
Senate President pro Tempore
State Capitol
Sacramento CA 95814
Tel: (916) 651-4009 - Fax: (916) 327-1997

The Honorable Dave Cogdill
Senate Republican Leader
State Capitol
Sacramento CA 95814
Tel: (916) 651-4010 - Fax: (916) 327-3523

The Honorable Karen Bass
Speaker of the California Assembly
State Capitol
Sacramento CA 95814
Tel: (916) 319-2047 - Fax: (916) 319-2147

The Honorable Mike Villines
Assembly Republican Leader
State Capitol
Sacramento CA 95814
Tel: (916) 319-2029 - Fax: (916) 319-2129

Note: When you send your letters, will you please CC: the following two individuals who have been strong supporters for these library programs:
Assemblyman John Laird
Chair Assembly Budget Committee
State Capitol
Sacramento CA 95814
Tel: (916) 319-2027 - Fax: (916) 319-2127

Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny
Chair Senate Budget Committee
State Capitol
Sacramento CA 95814
Tel: (916) 651-4040 - Fax: (916) 327-3522