California Literacy Calendar: January 2010

California Literacy Calendar: January 2010

SCLLN Literacy & Library Events & Conferences
-local, California and National Conferences-
visit

Southern California Library Literacy Network
for more information

Tutor Training Workshops scrolling in left frame

Southern California Literacy Events
Jan 4: Tutor Training for Volunteer Based Literacy - OnLine
Jan 9: Learning Disabilities Adult Support Group Providence Tarzana Medical @ 10am
Jan 16: Tutor Training-Whittier Literacy Council @ 9am
Jan 18: Reading Comprehension Strategies – OnLine
Jan 20: LD from A-Z Mission Valley Library-SD @ 5pm
Jan 21: SCLLN + ProLiteracy Symposium, Cypress Branch Library @ 1-4pm
with David Harvey, President and CEO & Peter Waite, VP-ProLiteracy Worldwide
Jan 26: Learning Disabilities Parent Support Group @ The Help Group @ 7:30pm

California Literacy Events
Jan 11: S Krashen-Effective 2nd Language Acquisition, Sacramento
Jan 13: S Krashen-Effective 2nd Language Acquisition, South San Francisco
Jan 15-17: CA Kindergarten Conf, Santa Clara

San Diego County Library - Making a Difference in My Life

Making a Difference in My Life
LEARN Alive: Dec 2009/Jan 2010

My name is Esteban Ramirez, and I have been taking a Wilson Reading System class for the last 11 months. I am 29 years old, and I have dyslexia.

When I went to school, I didn’t want to read and write because the kids would make fun of me. So instead I became the big bad man at school, but it didn’t help me because all it did was make me feel bad about myself. I was feeling dumb that I was not like all the rest of the kids in my class so I missed a lot of school, and then I just stopped going.

Now I am 29 years old, and I want to make a difference in my life today by improving my reading and writing so I started to take a class with Hector with the Vista Library’s Adult Literacy Program. This is one of the best things that I have done for myself because I did not like to read before. But now because of Hector teaching me how to sound out words and break them up, I can spell and not be afraid to do this and I have more confidence.

I started the reading program in February on level 2 of the Wilson Reading System and now I am on level 7, and the whole time it has made me like to read and understand what I am reading by learning about open syllables and closed syllables, base words and suffixes.

All this I didn’t know how to break down but today I can do it. All this I didn’t learn in school but with Hector’s help I started to learn about long vowels and short vowels, which was all new to me.

And all I can do now is grow from here in my reading and writing. I think joining this program has been one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life.

Current Learner—Esteban Ramirez

Orange Co Library - Bill Campbell's Third District Report - READ Orange County

Bill Campbell's Third District Report
November 20, 2009 Volume: 7 Issue: 43

OC Public Library Honors Orange Volunteer- OC Community Resources Director Steve Franks presented a proclamation to celebrate the 100th birthday of Antonio Correa, a resident of Orange and an OC Public Libraries volunteer.

Since joining the READ/Orange County volunteers program in April of 1996 at the age 87, Antonio "Tone" Correa has contributed more than 2,700 service hours. He has tutored more than 21 adult learners, often taking on the added responsibility of working with 3 or 4 students simultaneously. To read more about Tone’s contributions, please click here. For pictures, click here.

Los Angeles Public Library - Building a More Literate L.A

Los Angeles Public Library
Library Foundation of Los Angeles
Annual Report 2008=2009


Building a More Literate L.A

Literacy not only is one of the library's core missions, but it's also a part of everything we do. Each year, the library presents nearly 18,000 public programs at our 73 libraries and literacy is a component of every one. Today, the library's literacy mission is more important than ever because 40 percent of fourth graders read below their grade level and more than 50 percent of the Los Angeles area's working-age population suffers from low literacy skills.

The library has also made a major commitment to adult literacy. This year, the library opened a new Adult Literacy Center in the Benjamin Franklin Branch. With the help of library foundation funding, the library now operates Adult Literacy Centers in 20 branches citywide. These centers offer one-on-one literacy tutoring, self-tutoring materials, and Web-based literacy programs accessed through our literacy Web site.

Illiteracy remains one of the most economically and socially crippling problems facing Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Public Library is committed to creating a more literate Los Angeles.

Investing in New Readers

Good reading habits are key to a lifetime of learning. That's why the library, with the help of library foundation funding, instills a love of reading in children through early literacy programs like Read to Me L.A. and nurtures that love of reading throughout their childhood with programs like the intergenerational GAB (Grandparents and Books) series and other programs that make reading fun.

But the library doesn't stop there. It offers children the tools they need to succeed in school, such as free online Live Homework Help, the summer reading club to build literacy skills between school terms, a special Kids' Path Web site with online resources just for youngsters, and even a summer reading camp for homeless children, Camp LAPL, and the popular Performing Books programs that introduce kids to books through music, song and dance.

These and the library's many other resources are available when kids need them most, after school and during school-term breaks. Our commitment to technology allows us to deliver many of the learning resources to children through their computer at home or school. READ MORE !

America’s Most Literate Cities: 2009

America’s Most Literate Cities: 2009
Central Connecticut State University: December 22, 2009

Drawing from a variety of available data resources, the America’s Most Literate Cities study ranks the largest cities (population 250,000 and above) in the United States. This study focuses on six key indicators of literacy: newspaper circulation, number of bookstores, library resources, periodical publishing resources, educational attainment, and Internet resources.

Dr. John W. Miller, president of Central Connecticut State University, is the author of this study. Research for this edition of AMLC was conducted in collaboration with the Center for Public Policy and Social Research at CCSU. Overall Ranking and Rankings by Category.

Seattle is ranked the most literate city.
San Francisco is the highest ranked CA city @ 12.

California cities dominate the Bottom 20.
56 San Jose, CA
58 Riverside, CA
62 Los Angeles, CA
63 Long Beach, CA
65 Fresno, CA
66 Glendale, AZ
67 Santa Ana, CA
68 Mesa, AZ
69 Anaheim, CA
70 Arlington, TX
71 Aurora, CO
72 Stockton, CA
73 Bakersfield, CA
74 Corpus Christi, TX
75 El Paso, TX

Literacy in Libraries Around California - Project Read Learners Give Back to Community

Project Read Learners Give Back to Community
Almanac News: December 22, 2009 by Alice Bradshaw - Program Manager, Project Read-Menlo Park

Many adult learners at Project Read-Menlo Park, the adult literacy program in the Menlo Park Library, have gone far beyond studying English. They've become active members of the community.

For 25 years, Project Read has provided the only free adult literacy tutoring in the area, helping more than 3,000 adults.

After a 10-hour work day, would you study an additional three hours? Would you drive to Santa Clara from Menlo Park every month to practice public speaking in a language that is foreign to you? Would you give up two-days' pay, travel to a conference and present a workshop illustrating how low-level literacy students can improve their lives and give back to their communities? Project Read learners have done all of these.

Raul Gonzalez, became a Project Read tutor one year after he began as a learner. He attended the Adult Learner Leadership Institute (ALLI), which trains and motivates students to improve their public speaking skills and promotes civic engagement.

To date, 10 of Project Read's learners have graduated from Adult Learner Leadership Institute.

In October, at the California Library Association's annual conference in Pasadena, he was one of five students who presented a workshop on how adult learners can give back to their communities.

At Project Read, our volunteer tutors helped their adult learners do many things, such as reading to their children, getting a better job, or learning to surf the Web. Then, the students gave back in ways we never imagined! READ MORE !

SCLLN: 2009 Year End Tax Tips

2009 Year End Tax Tips

Make a Year End Gift and Support

Sourthern California Library Literacy Network

Your contribution to SCLLN gives the gift of reading and writing to adult learners in library literacy programs from Santa Barbara to San Diego.

Consider what your donation can support:

Literacy Leader:
a monthly gift of $25 or more strengthens library literacy services
Literacy Champion:
an annual gift of $500 or more promotes literacy and life-long learning

$100 Families For Literacy Patron: programming services training advocacy
$250 Annual Conference Patron: a forum for learners, tutors and professionals
$750 Library Program Patron: a 50/50 split with a library member of choice
$1000 Media & Internet Patron: share our story, expertise and resources

Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities: We welcome donations from companies and other organizations. Make a direct investment to Adult and Family Literacy !

Commemorative, Memorial and Holiday Gifts: honoring a loved one with a memorial gift is a very special way to support literacy and SCLLN.

Donate  by Mail:
Please send checks or money orders (made payable to SCLLN) to:

SCLLN
c/o Literacy Office

Huntington Beach Central Library

7111 Talbert Ave

Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Your tax-deductible gift will help SCLLN raise awareness about the importance of literacy. Your donation supports library literacy providers, our annual Tutor-Learner Conference, and our webpage. SCLLN is a 501c (3) Non-Profit.

SCLLN serves a population of 22.4 million including 6 million children.

Jobs for Main Street Act = ACTION ALERT

ALA Action Alert

Out of Work Librarians Need Your Help !

Call NOW to Include Libraries in the Jobs for Main Street Act !

Right now, the House of Representatives is debating the Jobs for Main Street Act, and this bill would provide funding to a variety of programs aimed at creating jobs. No other organization is as dynamic or as well-equipped to build jobs as libraries, yet neither the House nor the Senate version of this legislation mentions libraries. By including specific bill language that includes librarians, we can continue to help people look for jobs, help people obtain their GED, build valuable job skills, and much more. To read the full proposal, please click here.

The House is expected to vote on this legislation TODAY. Please call your representatives TODAY and your senators tomorrow; tell them you would like to see librarians included in the Jobs for Main Street Act and explain to them that those funds are critical in putting librarians back to work so they can help people get back to work.

1. Libraries play a key role in getting America back to work again. Nationwide, the library is the only source of no-fee Internet access for 71 percent of Americans. With more and more job applications only being accepted online, the public library is becoming the center of most American's job searches.

2. State Library Agencies reported in November 2009 that 77 percent of states cut funds that support local public libraries, which has meant layoffs, staff furloughs, and forced retirements. This has caused a 75 percent cut in services to the public including canceled statewide databases used for job searching, homework help, and cuts in 24/7 reference, which are used by small businesses and students.

Not Sure Who to Contact = Click Here !
Find elected officials, including the president, members of Congress, governors, state legislators, and more.

Tween Tribune News For Kids & News By Kids

Tween Tribune
News For Kids & News By Kids

A daily news site for tweens. Each day links to the day's most compelling news from a tweens perspective are posted. Stories chosen for TweenTribune are selected by tweens working closely with professional journalists. Tweens can submit links to stories they'd like to share, submit their own stories and photos, and comment on the stories they read.

It encourages tweens to seek out news on a daily basis. Fosters a daily news-reading habit at an early age.

There are also pages for Teachers that can be customized for the classroom as well as Lesson plans.

2 Recent Posts:

Oops! Tween's cell bill = $21,917

A 13-year-old was probably in hot water with his father after running up a cell phone bill of nearly $22,000. Ted Estarija said he was expecting his bill to be higher this month after adding his son to his plan, but wasn't expecting a bill of $21,917 in data usage charges. The Hayward, Calif.- Posted on December 16, 2009 Read more

13 comments
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OMG! Kids send 2,000 txts per month R u kidding me?

Americans punched out more than 110 billion text messages last year, double the number in the previous year and growing, as the shorthand communication becomes a popular alternative to cell phone calls. "If teens are a leader for America, then we are moving to a text-based ...

- Posted on December 15, 2009

Related stories
Does your teacher let you txt in class?
Young people finally flock to Twitter
Maybe txting isn't so bad after allHow fast R U?
Girl wins US texting title
Read more

24 comments
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Outstanding Librarian in Support of Literacy 2009 - Derek Wolfgram, Butte County

California Library Association: Outstanding Librarian in Support of Literacy: 2009

Derek Wolfgram was recognized as this year’s winner of the Outstanding Librarian in Support of Literacy.

The following comments are excerpts from his nomination:

Derek Wolfgram goes WAY above and beyond to support literacy! While not familiar with Literacy Services in the Library before becoming our Director (Butte County), he got up to speed quickly and became one of our best-ever advocates! From voting on t-shirt graphics, to starring in a zany radio spot, to respectfully presenting our Champion of Literacy award to our adult learner honoree, no doubt about it, in so many ways he was ‘there’ for us.

While always an enthusiastic spirit in support of Literacy, Derek’s support isn’t just all fun and games – rather it is also forward- thinking, inclusive and strategic. He was sure to include the Literacy Services team when doing his system needs assessment and when he instituted the Leadership Team of managers, the Literacy Specialist was solidly at the table. Extremely supportive of our efforts to secure grants, he’s proven to be a key team member, offering his valuable visionary and editing skills.

Perhaps most illustrative overall is recalling last January when Derek accompanied two adult learners and a volunteer tutor to visit one of our legislators. Derek stepped back and encouraged the focus be directed on the learners. Surely the necessary messages about concerns for the library were heard that day, but with Derek’s compassionate and elegant presence, what the legislator will remember when thinking of the Library are the voices from two adults who have so benefited from Literacy Services.

Butte County: 2006 - May 2009

Adult Learner Leadership Institute - ALLI

Adult Learner Leadership Institute

January 23, 2010 - June 2010

Application Deadline: December 17, 2009

Dear Learner:

Are you having trouble talking to the teachers at your child’s school ?
Do you want to learn how to speak out in meetings ?
Do you want to be a better advocate for yourself and others in the community ?

Then the Adult Learner Leadership Institute is for you !
You must be an Adult Learner in a Southern California Library Literacy program.

In the Adult Learner Leadership Institute you will learn how to improve your communication and leadership skills. These skills will help you in your family life, at work, and in your community. We are pleased to offer the Institute at the Carlsbad City Library Learning Center.

ALLI, formerly known as the Henry Huffman Leadership Institute is a six-month leadership development program for advanced learners. ALLI students build self-esteem while acquiring public speaking skills, research techniques, and learning styles.

The training is spread over 6 sessions, with classes meeting one Saturday a month and is led, presented and facilitated by adult learners. It is a dynamic training program designed for by adult learners to improve/build self-esteem, leadership, communication, advocacy and presentation skills through practical exercises. So please, take advantage of this great training opportunity for your adult learners !

It is FREE and will include breakfast, lunch and training materials.

Applicant letter and form are available @ the Carlsbad City Library Learning Center.
Please call: 760 . 931 . 4515
or email: Carrie Scott
Carlsbad City Library Learning Center
3368 Eureka Place – Carlsbad

2010 SCLLN Tutor Conference: Call 4 Presenters

Southern California Library Literacy Network
Annual Tutor Conference = February 27, 2010

Holiday Inn - Buena Park

Call 4 Presenters

If you would like to present a workshop, or if you know a volunteer or a community member who would make a great presenter, please contact SCLLN as soon as possible.

SCLLN has 21 slots to fill = Deadline: December 15 !
There are 3 Strands of Workshop sessions @ 75 minutes.
9:00am – 10:15am . . . 10:30am – 11:45am . . . 1:45pm – 3:00pm

And if anyone from Central or Northern California wants to join the fun, let's talk.

The conference is for tutors, learners, and literacy staff, and often times there's a mix in the workshop audience. SCLLN does have a "Learner Strand", and we love workshops that encourage participation from tutor-learner pairs, but there are also classes geared specifically to tutors.

Sorry, there's no stipend available this year, but presenters earn free admission to the conference and our undying gratitude. Yeah, it's the best we can do in a sour economy . . . .

Anyway, time's fleeting, so please contact me if you're interested.

Lookin' forward to the flood of applications in my inbox in the next few days.

Rod Williams = Literacy Coor.
Palmdale City Library
661 . 267 . 5682

. . . check out the workshops from the 2009 Conference !

Colton Library - Colton Libraries Reopen with Six-Day Schedule

Colton Libraries Reopen with Six-Day Schedule
SB Sun: December 1, 2009 by Michael J Sorba

Library service is back in Colton.

The Main Library, 656 N. Ninth St., reopened Tuesday. Starting today, it will operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Service has also been restored at the Luque Branch Library, 294 E O St. It will reopen Thursday and then operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The new schedules at both libraries will remain until June 30.

Pete Carrasco, chairman of the Colton Public Library Board of Trustees, said he's glad the city responded to the public's request to restore the libraries.

The libraries and homework assistance center that was housed at the Carnegie building were closed in November as cost-cutting measures to offset a projected $5 million deficit for the fiscal year.

At the ensuing City Council meeting about two-dozen people spoke against the decision and asked that some level of library service be restored.

The homework assistance center and an adult literacy program that was offered haven't been restored, but the city is working to get those programs back online, said Interim Deputy City Manager Bill Smith.

Schedules are effective immediately and will remain until June 30. READ MORE !

Palmdale Library - Writer To Writer Awards 2009

2009 Writer-to-Writer Awards

This year 188 adult learners entered the Challenge from 43 library literacy programs all over California. Their letters, based on their writing skill levels, were divided into four categories: Emerging, Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced. [see earlier Post for more information !]

The letters of the winners will appear as a Four-part Series by the Literacy Interest Group E-newsletter, continuing part two with this E-newsletter with a letter from Intermediate winner Larry Evans:

Larry Evans
Palmdale City Library

Dear Mr. Poitier:

My name is Larry Evans and it was at the age of fifty-one that I learned how to read. Your book was the first book I ever read from cover to cover. Thank you for the inspiration I received from reading The Measure of a Man. My comments will start with you growing up in the Bahamas. Being blessed with weather so warm and beautiful all year round to enjoy - what a life! That lifestyle would only be a dream for me. The closest thing I had to living on an island was an old television show called Gilligan's Island.

My hometown was somewhat like yours; we also carried water to drink and had to use an outhouse. It is easy for a country boy like me to relate to your life style as a boy. As I read your book about how you faced racism at a very young age, it made me think that racism is maybe part of the reason why it took me fifty-one years to read the English Language. READ MORE !

CA & National Literacy Calendar: December 2009

California Literacy Calendar: December 2009

SCLLN Literacy & Library Events & Conferences
-local, California and National Conferences-

visit the Southern California Library Literacy Network
for more information

Tutor Training Workshops scrolling in left frame

Southern California

Dec 2-3: CA Secondary Literacy Summit = Costa Mesa
Dec 5: Literacy & Arts Festival = Santa Clarita Hart Park
Dec 8 7pm: Ten Tenors = San Diego Council on Literacy @ SD Civic Theater
Dec 12 10am: Learning Disabilities Adult Support Group = Providence Tarzana Medical Center
Dec 12 10am: Sensory Friendly Film – Princess & Frog @ some local AMC Theaters: Covina – Ontario – Orange – SD – Torrance – Woodland Hills

National

Dec 2-5: National Reading Conference = Albuquerque
Dec 4-6: Zero to Three Institute = Dallas

Lodi Literacy Program Coordinator Yvette Herrera Shares Learning Tips

Literacy Program Coordinator Yvette Herrera Shares Learning Tips
Lodi News: November 23, 2009 by Pam Bauserman

Blue squares line the floor in the Lodi Public Library through the children's area and to an office at the back.

Yvette Herrera calls these squares "the path to literacy."

Herrera is the literacy program coordinator at the library. She likes to see the life-changing progress people make once they enter the program.

"Those of us who can read, we don't realize what it's like not to be able to read a menu or a medicine bottle," she said.

What are some causes of adult illiteracy?

Having poor experiences in elementary or secondary schools. (There are also) people from other countries and there are some with learning disabilities.

What are some of the teaching methods used?

We use the Laubach way to reading technique. There are different levels they graduate in and go into different levels.

What has been the biggest success story?

We've had various learners progress. One who I can think of is in the process of getting her phlebotomy license. That's definite improvement.

What is the biggest problem adult illiteracy causes? READ MORE !

California Budget - Library Cuts 2010-11

Legislative Analyst’s Office Projects $20.7 Billion Budget Problem
CLA Action Alert: November 18, 2009

Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) report:
The 2010-11 Budget: California's Fiscal Outlook.

According to the report, the $20.7 billion Budget problem, "consists of a $6.3 billion projected deficit for 2009-10, and a $14.4 billion gap between projected revenues and spending in 2010-11." The vast majority of the new Budget problem, according to the LAO, is the result of several major "solutions" in the recently enacted Budget, that did not pan out as well as additional funding owed to schools.

Tips For Lobbying Your Legislator - During Difficult Budget Years
By Mike Dillon and Christina Dillon DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

REINTRODUCE YOUR LEGISLATOR TO YOUR LIBRARY

When you are visiting with your legislator, please take the opportunity to ask him or her to attend an event at your library. While we personally know of legislators who actively visit their local libraries, unfortunately many lawmakers have not set foot in one in a long time. It is not unusual for a legislator who does not have a particular attachment to a local library to ask us, “With the advancement of Barnes and Noble, do we even need libraries any more ?”

Explain to your legislator that the 2010-2011 Budget does not contain any cuts to library programs such as the Public Library Foundation, Transaction Based Reimbursement, and English Acquisition and Literacy Program. Ask your legislator to continue to support public libraries and to resist talks of future cuts.

MARKET YOUR LIBRARY !

Many legislators simply do not know of the extensive services you provide. Pick three or four that are very unusual or popular and highlight them in your discussion. Explain what the modern day library provides to its patrons.
Get Rich @ Your Library

Your public library is a goldmine of books, magazines, movies, music and other great stuff. There are many ways you can Get Rich @ Your Library !

Don't Know Your Legislators ? Click Here

Colton Library - Colton City Council Bombarded with Complaints over Library Closures

Colton City Council Bombarded with Complaints over Library Closures
SB Sun: November 17, 2009 by Michael J Sorba

Nearly 100 people crammed into the City Council Chambers Tuesday night to hear complaints about the recent closure of the city's three libraries.

Several who spoke said they were flabbergasted by the decision and questioned why other options weren't considered before such a brash move was made.

"There are things that can be done when you ask the community for help," said Linda Tripp, vice president of Friends of the Colton Public Library. "You need to reach out to the community before you do something this drastic."

Last week, Interim City Manager Bob Miller announced the libraries would remain shuttered until the June 30 close of the current fiscal year and almost 60 employees would be laid off to combat a projected $5 million general fund deficit.

These moves will only save about $3.5 million, and it's likely more layoffs and organizational changes will be needed to make up the difference, Mayor Kelly Chastain said. READ MORE !

Sensory Friendly Flims

Sensory Friendly Flims

The Autism Society and AMC Entertainment have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis with the "Sensory Friendly Films" program.

Lights up and Sound down in the movie theaters. Families will be able to bring in their own gluten-free, casein-free snacks. NO previews or ads will be shown before the movie.

Audience members are welcome to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing.

Tickets are $4 - 6 depending on location and can be purchased on the day of the event.

Upcoming Shows @ 10:00 am
November 21: Planet 51
December 12: The Princess and the Frog
January 9: Alvin and the Chipmunks 2

AMC Covina 301414 N. Azusa Ave., Covina
AMC Cupertino Square 1610123 N. Wolfe Rd., Cupertino
AMC Ontario Mills 304549 Mills Cir., Ontario
AMC Block 3020 City Blvd. W., Ste. 1, Orange
AMC Mission Valley 20640 Camino Del Rio North, San Diego
AMC Palm Promenade 24770 Dennery Rd., San Diego
AMC Van Ness 141000 Van Ness Ave San Francisco
AMC Mercado 203111 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara
AMC Del Amo 183525 Carson St., Torrance
AMC Promenade 1621801 Oxnard St., Woodland Hills

Colton Library - Colton Sends Out Layoff Notices; Libraries To Close

Colton Sends Out Layoff Notices; Libraries To Close
SB Sun: November 12, 2009 by Melissa Pinion-Whitt

Nearly 60 Colton city employees have been given layoff notices and the city's three libraries will be closed as a result of Colton's $5 million budget shortfall, Interim City Manager Bob Miller announced today.

Thirty full time and nearly 30 part-time employees have been given notices.

Miller said the cuts will save the city $4 million. He urged labor group representatives to determine whether they can offer the city some salary or benefit savings.

"Perhaps we can all work together to head-off additional layoffs, or even reverse some of this action and return some fine people to their jobs," Miller said in a prepared statement.

Miller said the situation may grow worse if voters don't support the extension of the city's utility user tax, which is set to expire in 2011. The tax provides about $5 million to the city's general fund.

Hemet Library - Couple Marks Long Union

Couple Marks Long Union
Press Enterprise: November 4, 2009 by Diane A. Rhodes

Sixty years ago today, when Rose Mary and William "Al" Konersman said "I do" in Florissant, Mo., they probably did not envision themselves celebrating a milestone wedding anniversary at Soboba Casino.

Story continues below ↓

The Hemet couple met at McDonnell Aircraft Co. while Al was attending college to earn an engineering degree and Rose Mary was a secretary. "That was back in the days when we wore those high heels with the pointed toes," said Rose Mary, 85.

After Al started his full-time career as an aeronautical engineer, Rose Mary settled into homemaking and mothering. The couple has two daughters and a son. They lived in seven states before retiring to the Valle Vista area of Hemet about 12 years ago. The couple wasted no time in giving back to the community they chose as home.

"Volunteering has always been a big part of Al's life," said Rose Mary. But she joins her 83-year-old husband at the Adult Literacy Center, where they both tutor twice a week."If you ever get a chance to do this -- try it -- it is so rewarding," she said. They have just started their third year of tutoring. Information, 951-765-3856. READ MORE !

Literacy Program Caters to Basic Human Right

Literacy Program Caters to Basic Human Right Cape Breton Post: November 5, 2009 by Doreen Lynk Letters To The Editor

Did you know that basic education was recognized as a human right in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 ?

Story continues below ↓

Adult literacy is more than reading, writing and mathematics. Literacy helps people participate in society. Literacy deserves serious attention. Right now there are people like me who cannot improve their education.

Nov. 2 to 6 is Literacy Action Week. The theme is Literacy and Empowerment. I, and people like me, want to benefit from our basic human right and improve our education and skills.

Please show that you value adult literacy by supporting programs and government policies that help adult learners play an active and productive role in our communities. READ MORE !

Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948

Article 26.

(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.

(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.

(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

Literacy Tribune: November 2009

Literacy Tribune: November 2009

United Literacy, a non-profit organization, provides resources and support to adult literacy learners in the United States. Its aim is to make literacy education accessible and worthwhile for adult learners.

Main Story: Road Safety
~ In 2006, motor vehicle traffic crashes were the leading cause of death among people between the ages of 3-34.

Member Spotlight: Henry Barnes III
~ 10 months ago, Henry Barnes III walked into the Second Start Adult Literacy Program at the Oakland Library in California and asked for help. He wanted to learn to read better.

A Learner's Poem
~ Good Feeling by Rodolfo Diaz

Organization Spotlight: Start Adult Literacy Program
~ The Second Start Adult Literacy Program has been teaching adult learners in Oakland, California to read for 25 years.

A History Lesson: William McKinley
~ the 25th president of the United States, was born in Niles, Ohio on January 29, 1843.

Technology Watch: Picasa
~ Digital cameras make taking photos easy. But keeping all those photos organized on your computer and editing them can be daunting.

The Literacy Tribune is looking for adult learner writers.
Are you an adult learner ?
Do you want to write ?
Do you want to publish your writing ?

You can write about:
Your road to literacy
Your literacy organization
Literacy resources you like
You can write book reviews, poetry, short stories
You can write articles about health, finance, or technology
You can write just about anything !

CA & National Literacy Calendar: November 2009

California Literacy Calendar: November 2009

SCLLN Literacy & Library Events & Conferences
-local, California and National Conferences-
visit

Southern California Library Literacy Network
for more information

Tutor Training Workshops scrolling in left frame

Local & California

Nov 7: CATESOL Regional - Northern California - Concord CA
Nov 9: What is Dyslexia? WEBinar
Nov 12-15: Getting In Touch With Literacy Conference Costa Mesa Hilton
Nov 16-18: Ready To Learn - EduAlliance Network Hollywood
Nov 19-22: California School Library Association Conference Ontario CA
Nov 20-22: ACTFL Annual Convention San Diego CA
Nov 21: CATESOL Regional - Southern California - Los Angeles CSULA
Nov 21: Tellabration
Nov 21: 9am Susan Barton Presentation - Dyslexia Garden Grove CA
Nov 30: Remediation For Dyslexia WEBinar

National

Nov 3-6: AAACE Annual Conference Cleveland OH
Nov 11-14: International Dyslexia Association Conference Walt Disney World FL
Nov 18-20: CAEL International Conference Westin Hotel
Nov 19-21: LERN Conference Savannah GA
Nov 19-22: National Council of Teachers of English Philadelphia, PA
Nov 19-20: World Congress on Disabilities Jacksonville FL

Writer To Writer 2009

2009 Writer-to-Writer Awards- at CLA Conference – Literacy Interest Group –

October 31 @ Bar Celona Restaurant

This year 188 adult learners entered the Challenge from 43 library literacy programs all over California. Their letters, based on their writing skill levels, were divided into four categories: Emerging, Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced. [see earlier Post for more information !]

The letters of the winners will appear as a Four-part Series by the Literacy Interest Group E-newsletter.

Winner: Advanced Writer
Sima T - Berkeley Public Library

Dear Paulo Coelho,

I am honored by "my good fortune of the world," as you would say to be able to read your novel The Alchemist in two different languages, Farsi and English. I read the Farsi version of The Alchemist almost one decade ago when I had started to work as an architect and instructor. I read the English version of your novel when my English tutor, Judy bought it for me one very pleasant morning this June in Berkeley. Maybe one day I will have a chance to read it in your language which I am sure will be the best to understand fully all of the magic of the book.  READ MORE !

2009 Writer to Writer Challenge Winners & Runners Up

Emerging Level Winner:
Anonymous, Alhambra Civic Center Library
wrote to Anne Frank - Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl.

Runners Up:
Nick F, Downey City Library wrote to Gary Paulson - Hatchet.
Esbeida C, Altadena Library District wrote to Fernando Javier Galan - A Long Road.

Beginning Level Winner:
Evonne M, Hemet Public Library
wrote to Dave Pelzer - A Child Called It.

Runners Up:
Ramon G, Carlsbad City Library wrote to Clement Clark Moore - The Night Before Christmas.
Camila R, Carlsbad City Library wrote to Cheri Huber - Be the Person You Want to Find.

Intermediate Level Winner:
Larry E, Palmdale City Library
wrote to Sidney Poitier - The Measure of a Man.

Runners Up:
Blanca M, Riverside County Library wrote to Dr. Jorge Erdely - Pastors Who Abuse.
Laurie H Hemet Public Library wrote to Judy Blume - Deenie.

Advanced Level Winner:
Sima T, Berkeley Public Library
wrote to Paulo Coelho - The Alchemist.

Runners Up:
Juan S, San Diego Public Library wrote to Lance Wubbels - If Only I Knew.
Sharon Z, Contra Costa County Library wrote to Alan Brennert - Moloka’i.

The letters of the 2008 winners and finalists @

Join 1,000,000 for Literacy

. . . forwarded from Margaret Doughty
@ Literacy Powerline

Literacy Advocates can create a larger voice to let the President know that literacy must be a priority - Plan to meet with the President in Summer 2010.

Join 1,000,000 for Literacy Facebook group.
Connect with other literacy advocates.
Forward to all your friends - not just your literacy colleagues !

1 Join Facebook
2 CLICK on "Invite People to Join"
3 SELECT all of the friends that you want to join
4 CLICK on "Send invitation"

Shatter the Silence Video

Newport Beach Library - International Literacy Day Celebrated

International Literacy Day Celebrated
at Newport Beach Public Library
Literally Speaking: Autumn 2009

More than 140 people from the literacy program, library staff, and the Newport Beach community attended the International Literacy Day (ILD) celebration on September 10th. As in previous years, attendees were treated to wonderful, ethnic foods prepared by literacy program learners. To complete the buffet, the Corona del Mar Starbucks provided coffee, and Bristol Farms generously donated a gorgeous and tasty fruit and cheese display.

Carolyn Scheer, Literacy Board President, emceed the event. Cynthia Cowell, Library Director, graciously commended all involved in the literacy program. Newport Beach Mayor, Ed Selich, before reading the proclamation declaring Literacy Day for the city, commended tutors for their commitment and learners for their courage – which was then demonstrated by Jerry Kahn and Afsaneh Taheri Pak as they both spoke movingly about their experiences with the literacy program.

Jerry highlighted the variety of books that he and his tutor, Joe Brown, have read together, and explained what a typical tutoring session for them looks like. Afsaneh eloquently shared of her shame, after arriving in the United States just a year ago from Iran, at not being able to speak English well. She shared how it felt to leave her safe zone of home, family, and tradition and commit to a new life. Afsaneh affirmed that being new is always hard and that she has a goal to learn and keep on learning.

Parvin Tabrizi, the 2009 winner of the Rochelle Hoffman Memorial Award presented at the celebration, also received certificates of recognition from both Congressman John Campbell and Senator Tom Harmon.

It was a touching and inspirational morning.