Adult Literacy Awareness Month - Lompoc Library - Los Angeles Public Library

Adult Literacy Awareness Month

September Spotlight

on SCLLN Literacy Programs

Lompoc Public Library

Adult Reading Program was established at the Lompoc Public Library in1989 to provide basic reading and writing instruction to adults with low literacy skills. The goal of the program is to reduce illiteracy in Lompoc and promote life-long learning. The program offers one-to-one and small group tutoring through the use of professionally trained volunteers. Volunteers are the key to the success of the program. They contribute 5,000 hours of volunteer service each year. Unlike classroom instruction, library based literacy instruction is entirely student centered with lessons developed to support each learner's unique goals, such as getting a drivers license, passing the citizenship test, obtaining new or improved employment, or passing the GED. Since the program's inception over a thousand Lompoc residents have improved their literacy skills and reached their personal goals.

Using data released from the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy and the 2000 census figures, it is estimated that 21.6% of adults in Lompoc are functioning at the below basic level and therefore lack the necessary skills to accomplish everyday activities like filling out a job application, reading the directions on a medicine bottle, writing a personal check, or reading a simple bedtime story to their child. However mundane these tasks may seem, they can be frustrating and nearly impossible for someone who is illiterate.

Reach Out and Read

To promote the values associated with early literacy and to reach out to underprivileged families, the Library partnered with the Santa Barbara Public Health Department in 2003 to establish a Reach Out and Read (ROR) Program. ROR is a pediatric literacy program that promotes early literacy development and the importance of reading aloud to parents at well child checkups. The program also provides free books and storytimes for low income patients who attend the clinic. Volunteers, particularly Spanish-speaking, are needed to read to children one or two hours a week on Wednesdays & Fridays.

LAPL Adult Literacy Program

Work one on one with an adult tutor to improve your reading and literacy skills. Tutors meet with students in any branch of the Los Angeles Public Library. This service is free. They meet twice a week for 1 to 1½ hours at a time for a minimum of six months.