Burbank Library ◯ Adult Literacy Tutor Thank You Video

Adult Literacy Tutor Thank You Video

Burbank Public Library: 4.27.2020

For one out of five adults in the United States,

reading this paragraph is either difficult or impossible.

Twenty percent of adults have trouble with filling out forms,

taking the DMV license exam without assistance, 

helping their children with homework,

addressing an envelope, or writing a check.

              

The mission of our Literacy Services program is to help create a better informed community in which literacy helps parents read to their children, improves job prospects for adults, and leads families toward positive life choices.

Burbank Public Library has provided literacy services since 1992. We offer FREE one-on-one tutoring to people over the age of 16 who are not enrolled in high school and who speak and understand English, but read and write below 8th grade level. Burbank Public Library Literacy Services, a member of California Library Literacy Services, receives matching funds from the California State Library.

ADULT LEARNERS

Tutoring in reading is available for people 16 or older who speak and understand English but read and write below an 8th grade level.

To enroll in the program you must schedule an interview during which an assessment to measure current reading abilities will be given.

If you qualify for the program learners will be matched with a volunteer for twice a week tutoring sessions.

To make an appointment for an interview, call 818-238-5577.

ENGLISH NATURALLY: A CONVERSATION GROUP

The class is free and meets each week at Burbank Central Library in the second floor Literacy Conference Room. You don’t need to sign up, just drop by when your schedule permits.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 - 11:30 am

Wednesday evening sessions, 7 - 8:30 pm

Want to improve your English conversation skills?

Need to learn more American expressions?

Our conversation class, English Naturally, might be for you! If you have any questions, please call the Literacy office, 818-238-5577.

VOLUNTEER TUTORS

Volunteer tutors must be 18 or older. No experience is necessary.

Tutors meet twice weekly with an adult learner (for a minimum of six months).

To find out more about becoming a tutor, call 818-238-5577.

"Learning to read is hard; not learning is harder."

In Memoriam: Pat King

In Memoriam: Pat King

Burbank Library: Jan 2020 by Bonnie Yee

The Library recently learned that former Burbank Literacy library clerk and union steward, Pat King, has died.  She had been in the hospital for pneumonia earlier last week and was doing well, so had gone home. She was 77. ​Pat was known for her deep devotion to Literacy clients and workers’ rights and was a strong advocate for the library. She was Literacy Clerk from the beginning of the program in 1992 until she retired in July 2012. Pat will be missed.​

Burbank Public Library Literacy - first group of tutors, 1992:

Anahid Haroutounian, Lee Harner, Pat King (Clerk), Patricia Smart (Coor.),

Millie Engel, Donna Tramell and Susan Spears

Burbank Library :: Zonta Club's team wins Burbank Library's Trivia Challenge

Zonta Club's team wins Burbank Library's Trivia Challenge

Burbank Leader:  4.09.2016 by Anthony Clark Carpio

For the last 18 years, members of the Zonta Club of Burbank have competed in the Burbank Library's Trivia Challenge, but they had never taken home the trophy.

After answering a slew of questions — some easier than others — and a small kerfuffle with the judges, the women-empowerment organization finally became champions Thursday night at the Ritz Banquet Hall in St. Leon's Cathedral.

About 100 people attended the fundraiser for the Burbank Library's literacy program, which offers free one-on-one tutoring for adults who read or write below an eighth-grade level.

"This is a demonstration of our commitment to literacy, the library and this community, which we are all a part of," Zonta Club member Nickie Bonner said after posing for photos with a medal around her neck.

The audience tried guessing the answers to the questions, which were asked by Drew Sugars, Burbank's public information officer.  READ MORE @

Burbank Library :: Trivia Challenge for Literacy

Trivia Challenge 2016

April 7, 2016 - 6:00pm

Ritz Banquet Hall - St Leon's Cathedral

3325 N. Glenoaks Blvd.

Burbank, CA 91504.

Put together your team of 3!

Trivia Challenge is an annual event presented by the Friends of the Burbank Public Library to raise funds for the Library's Literacy Program. Attendees can either create a team of three people to answer trivia questions, or purchase a ticket to enjoy a delicious dinner while cheering for their favorite team. Opportunity drawings will occur througout the evening.

The Literacy Program provides free, one-to-one tutoring for adult who speak English, but read below an 8th grade level. The Trivia Challenge is a fun way to raise awareness of a vital Library program. Hope to see you there!

For ticket or team information, please call (818) 238-5577.

Teen Read Week :: SCLLN Member Libraries

Teen Read Week :: Get Away @ your library

SCLLN Member Libraries

Burbank Library

WRITING CONTEST through November 12!

This Contest is for Teens in grades 6-12.

Write a RETOLD FAIRY TALE four to six pages long (typed, double-spaced, 12 point!). Winners announced on NOVEMBER 19 at BOOK CAFÉ FEATURING CORNELIA FUNKE !

Camarena Library

Carlsbad Library

Escape the ordinary and Get Away @ your library with the help of some amazing books, and while you are at it, win some treats!

Read for Chocolate (Dove) Write a book review and receive a big chocolate bar at the reference desk.  For Grades 6-12.

LAPL

Oct 24: Central Library

Author Discussion with special guests, free books, activities, and snacks in Teen’Scape

Oct 23: Durant Branch Library

Young Adult Fiction Bingo (with prizes)! Put your pins in the States of YA map and discover how many states of YA Fiction you’ve read. Open to teens and pre-teens ages

Oct 29: Vermont Square

Get Away with Isabel Quintero speaking about her book GABI A GIRL IN PIECES which was a Morris Award Finalist.

Riverside County Library

Teen ReaderThon @ 3:30pm (ages 13-18) 

Join other Teens for a special ReaderThon

San Diego County Library

Kickoff

Battle of the Bands Oct 17 5pm

Lemon Grove Library

Cheer on some talented teen musical groups and soloists as they compete for prizes, and vote for your favorite. Refreshments will be served.

Oct 19: Share Your Book (All Day) Spring Valley

Oct 20: Spa Night 5p El Cajon

Oct 22: Drawing Class 3p Solana Beach

Oct 23: After-Hours Lock-In 6:30p Vista

Burbank Library :: California Summer Reading Challenge : :

California Summer Reading Challenge

Public library summer reading programs build communities of readers and library users and help prevent summer learning loss. In 2014, over 700,000 Californians signed up for summer reading and over 1.3 million took part in summer reading activities.The California Summer Reading Challenge provides libraries with resources to create innovative summer reading programs that keep California children, teens, and adults reading all summer long.

Help us meet our goal of #onemillionreaders in 2015!

Summer Reading Club : : Burbank Library

All sorts of activities, for everyone from toddlers to seniors! The first thing to do is SIGN UP. Go here and click on the appropriate age group, fill out a short form, and you're part of the program! Then log back in when you want to find out what's coming up, or write online book reviews!

Sign-ups are open now.

CHILDREN'S - Summer Reading Club - for children entering grades 1-6.  Parent's Guide

Schedule for Central Library

Schedule for Northwest Branch Library

Schedule for Buena Vista Branch Library

CHILDREN'S - Read-To-Me Program - for toddlers to kindergarten

Schedule for Central Library 

Schedule for Northwest Branch Library

Schedule for Buena Vista Branch Library

TEENS - Meetup in the Burb!   Brochure 

SUMMER READING CLUB FOR GROWN-UPS   Brochure

Burbank Library :: 2014 Trivia Challenge :: Literacy FUNraiser

Trivia Challenge

BurbankPublic Library

September 4, 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM

Ritz Banquet Hall

St Leon Cathedral

Silent Auction = Appetizer/Dessert Buffet

Compete for Trophy & Medals

3-person Teams = $250.00

$25.00 ($30.00 at the door)

Ticket Phone: 818.238.5577

Burbank Library: Spelling Bee - April 25 2013

Burb's Eye View: Reading, writing and the literary spirit
Burbank Leader: 4.16.2013 by Bryan Mahoney

Helen Lopez could get the words out. However, when it came time to deliver a speech, the president of Burbank Kiwanis’ Aktion Club had trouble lifting them off the page.

That all changed this past December, when an appointment with the Burbank City Library’s literacy program began helping Lopez raise her reading level and her spirits.

“Now, I read all kinds of stuff,” said Lopez, 66. “(The program) has helped me read better, and I enjoy it.”

Lopez and more than 2,000 others have learned to read through the city’s literacy program. Since 1992, it has provided free one-on-one tutoring to adults who speak and understand English, but read and write below an eighth-grade level.

Next week, you have the opportunity to help them help people read. A spelling bee is replacing the program’s annual trivia bee. It will be where the bulk of the program’s annual budget for supplies and administration will be raised.

The event, coupled with a silent auction, will take place at 6:30 p.m. on April 25. in St. Leon Armenian Cathedral’s Ritz Banquet Hall, 3325 N. Glenoaks Blvd.

Tickets are $25 in advance at the library, $30 at the door. Teams of three can still register for $250 by calling the library’s literacy services at 818-238-5577. While most of the participants will probably be adults, students in the sixth grade and above can also enter.

This year’s keynote speech will be delivered by Lopez. She will represent not only one of the program’s success stories but the Aktion Club — a service group for adults with developmental disabilities. READ MORE !

Literacy Library Jobs: California :: Burbank

Literacy Jobs - California

Literacy Clerk - PT
Burbank Library Literacy Services
Application Deadline: Jan 18, 2013

Please call William Byrne, Literacy Coor., for more information: 818 . 238 . 5577

LITERACY LIBRARY CLERK - Grant Funded Position
Salary: $13.90 - $19.16 Hourly
Part-Time, approximately 25-30 hours per week. Required to work a flexible schedule, this includes evenings and Saturdays, in support of Literacy Services’ hours.
This is a non-benefited, grant-funded position through June 2013.
Background Check required.

Definition
Under general supervision, to provide basic library services in Literacy Services; to perform a variety of clerical tasks; and to do related work as required (including Intake/Assessment/Support; and assist with Outreach and Fundraising).

Minimum Qualifications / Employment Standards:
Knowledge of - telephone etiquette; basic mathematics; basic alphabetizing and filing; simple decimal numbers.

Education/Training:
High school graduation or equivalent. Ability to type 35 net words per minute. NOTE: Clerical experience may be substituted for education on a year for year basis for a maximum of one year.

Supplemental Information:
A valid California Class “C” driver’s license or equivalent may be required at time of appointment.

Adult Literacy Awareness Month

Adult Literacy Awareness Month

September Spotlight

on SCLLN Literacy Programs

Burbank Public Library Literacy Services
Reading Horizons Site of the Month: August 2009

Since 1992, Burbank Public Library has provided free, one-to-one literacy services to members of the surrounding community. In the 17 years since then, more than 1,500 volunteer tutors have assisted over 1,600 adult learners in their quests to learn to read. They also have a 'Ready To Read' youth program for 4th-12th graders reading below grade level. Their efforts have been greatly aided by Discover Intensive Phonics (DIP), adopted in 1998 as the library's core reading program. They use a combination of direct instruction along with the software on a network of 5 computer stations to facilitate their students' needs.

"Discover Intensive Phonics works because it is a systematic method of teaching basic concepts and adding layers of skills at each learner’s pace,” says William Byrne-Literacy Coordinator, who is also a certified DIP instructor. “Our learners often tell me that, at long last, they finally have a tutor who can explain the differences between a, at, ate, and eat. It really does give learners independence and confidence to read on their own."

Follow Burbank Literacy on:

Burbank Library blog @ Lĭt / uh / ruh / sē Äw / fĭs
Facebook
MySpace
Twitter
and Tuesday Readers blog - a book club for New Readers

Camarena Memorial Library 760 . 768 . 2170

Adult Literacy Services
These services are offered to adults, 16 years or older who are not enrolled in school, who would like to improve their English reading skills. One-on-one tutoring is available upon enrollment in the program. Americorps members provide volunteer tutoring assistance to learners through the California Library Literacy Services program.

Families for Literacy

The second Thursday of each month (September thru June), the FFL families get together to spend time with their children. The main purpose of the program is to encourage early literacy through fun reading activities with their parents. FFL aims to expand language skills- reading, writing, speaking and listening. This program is for parents with children five years old and younger who are enrolled in the Adult Literacy Program. It is funded by LSTA funds administered through the California State Library.

Burbank Library - Reading Horizons Site of the Month: August 2009

Reading Horizons Site of the Month: August 2009

Burbank Public Library
Burbank, California

Since 1992, Burbank Public Library has provided free, one-to-one literacy services to members of the surrounding community. In the 17 years since then, more than 1,500 volunteer tutors have assisted over 1,600 adult learners in their quests to learn to read. They also have a 'Ready To Read' youth program for 4th-12th graders reading below grade level. Their efforts have been greatly aided by Discover Intensive Phonics (DIP), adopted in 1998 as the library's core reading program. They use a combination of direct instruction along with the software on a network of 5 computer stations to facilitate their students' needs.

"Discover Intensive Phonics works because it is a systematic method of teaching basic concepts and adding layers of skills at each learner’s pace,” says William Byrne-Literacy Coordinator, who is also a certified DIP instructor. “Our learners often tell me that, at long last, they finally have a tutor who can explain the differences between a, at, ate, and eat. It really does give learners independence and confidence to read on their own."

California Library Literacy - Social Networking

Social Networking

Southern California Library Literacy Network

Check Out SCLLN libraries on MySpace & Facebook !

- and some CLLS Libraries up North -

Facebook

Burbank Public Library
San Diego County - L.E.A.R.N
Southern California Library Literacy Network
Alameda County Library "Start with a Story"
North Central Coast Library Literacy Network
Solano County Library Literacy Services

MySpace

Burbank Public Library
L.E.A.R.N. Imperial Valley
Palmdale City Library
Southern California Library Literacy Network

Burbank Library - Burbank Library Services Director Sharon Cohen announces the winning team, the Jeopardy Rejects.

Trivia Champions: Burbank Public Library

Burbank Library Services Director Sharon Cohen announces the winning team, the Jeopardy Rejects.

Valley News: Apr 4, 2008 by Louise Paziak

The 2008 Trivia Challenge to benefit the Burbank Public Library's Literacy Services was held at the Castaway Restaurant on March 27. The competition featured 23 teams from local businesses and service organizations who participated in this year's event.

The winners at the end of the evening were the "Jeopardy Rejects," Dale Bailes, Al Vaca, and Cameron Ward.

Money raised from this event helps fund literacy services to the community.

Great night, I had a blast and I hope you made a lot of money for literacy! Please know from someone who puts on events, I know what goes into them and last night was well coordinated and ran very smoothly. You and your staff know how to throw a fundraiser! This was my first year attending and I plan on attending from here on out.

Brady - Leadership Burbank
p.s. I cannot believe we got taken out of the competition on a BEER question!
Adult Learners speech:

"My name is Karine Ghazarian. I am Armenian from Iran. I have 2 children in school.

I moved to the United States because Christians in Islamic Iran couldn't have a safe life and had few opportunities. When my first daughter was born in Iran, we moved to the US. We moved because we believed that the US allowed people from different nations, races, and religions to live together and to complete their own dreams and goals.

I speak 3 languages: Armenian, Farsi, and now English. When I first arrived in the United States, I took ESL classes at a community college. But i wanted to learn more. I decided to participate in the Burbank Library's Literacy program. I started almost 2 years ago.

Participating in the Literacy program has allowed me to learn to read better, to improve my pronunciation, and has made speaking easier. Now, if someone calls and speaks English, I understand more and talk to them in English more comfortably.

The literacy program lets me send notes to my children's teachers and get more information from them.

The literacy program has allowed me to read story books to my children. We read every night and my daughter's English reading and speaking skills have improved.

I am thankful for dear Robyn. She has given me her time and has made me interested in reading novels. I recently completed 'Little Women' by Louisa May Alcott. The literacy program has helped me feel comfortable in speaking and communication, and of course reading in English. I hope Robyn is always safe, happy, and successful."

Thank You.

Burbank Library - Tutor Recognition Luncheon

Supporting cancer research, new readers.

Burbank Leader: 10.30.07
On The Town by David Laurell

Halloween may be billed as the most terrifying day of the year (with the exception of April 15), and tutors are helping to make learning less terrifying for those who cannot read or write.

Tutors who have changed the lives of others by giving the gift of literacy were honored Saturday at the Buena Vista Branch Library.

In her remarks to the honorees, Reinke related a story about her late grandfather, Augustine Gonzalez, who came to the United States from Mexico at the age of 13 but did not learn to read or write until he was in his 30s.

“Even in his 90s, he never forgot those people who taught him to read and write,” Reinke said. “You have done the same thing for the people whose lives you have impacted. They will never forget you.”

Among those in attendance for the recognition luncheon were City Manager Mary Alvord, library services director Sharon Cohen, library board of trustees member Dorie Beaumont and library staff including Helen Wang, Pat King, Lorraine Corona, Louise Paziak and Bill Byrne, who serves as the literacy services coordinator.

Special guests on hand included Patricia Smart, who founded the literacy program in Burbank in 1992 with the help of Millie Engel, Donna Tramell and Susan Spears. Among those honored for their volunteer work with the literacy program were Robyn Anderson, Jo Andreae, Liana Augustinus, Donna Bandiera, Michelle Butler, Anahid Haroutounian, Lee Harner, Susan Borders, Linda Chapple, Sukanya Chinawongskul, Jessica Corona, Karissa Corona, Jeanell Dennis, Micheal Ferrel, Pat Gafford, Karen Galich, Rachel Garcia, Pam Jerome, Irene Kunze, Judith Pawlek, Roxanne Pergola, Judith Rosso-Diaz, Jeff Rothenbach, David Saltman, Bill Stafford, Victoria Uvas, Eula Warren, Barbara Weiss and Mary Zaghikian.  READ ON

Burbank Library - Outstanding volunteers honored in Burbank

Outstanding volunteers honored in Burbank
Valley News: 5.18.07 by Bill Grayeb

Since 1963, May has been proclaimed Older Americans Month nationwide, in part to bring attention to problems faced by older citizens, but also to recognize how instumental seniors are in helping solve those problems.

On May 15, seven local residents were honored for their volunteer work within the community.

Six received the city of Burbank's Outstanding Older American Volunteer Service Awards -among them:

Pat Gafford (back row) was honored for her tutoring work with children in the "Ready to Read" Program-Burbank Public Library, and her previous work at the Burbank YMCA, Burbank Chorale and Burbank Heritage Commission.

The Older American Awards is one way we take the time to acknowledge and thank those who give of themselves to help make our communities stronger and a better place for all Americans.

1 . 888 . SOS . READ - Statewide Public Awareness Campaign for Library Literacy Programs

Statewide Public Awareness Campaign for Library Literacy Programs: 1 . 888 . SOS . READ

During 2005 and 2006, the California State Library

conducted a statewide survey of library literacy program participants in order to determine the most effective ways of promoting our services.

One of the results of this research: Billboard ads and Bus Stop ads are now visible on California streets and highways. The Billboard Campaign was designed and placed by Clear Channel where they actually own billboards and bus they have committed to 28 billboards and 70 bus shelters. To date s with many more to be donated. This is a huge ad space donation -- hundreds of thousands of dollars in donated space to California Library Literacy Services

.

So keep an eye open for these billboards and bus stop ads in Southern California !


Photo: Bus ad - Victory & Olive, Burbank CA

Burbank Library - Not a trivial matter: The 10th Annual Trivia Challenge

Not a trivial matter: The 10th Annual Trivia Challenge
Burbank Leader: April 1, 2006 by Lauren Hilgers

The annual Trivia Challenge hosted by the Burbank Public Library does not discriminate. It aims to stump actors, artists, businessmen and librarians alike.

"I thought it was a trivial contest," joked Gary Lamb of Burbank's Shakespeare at Play. "I know lots of trivial things."

Soon Lamb would sweat it out with the rest of the contestants onstage, his team losing their first point by mispronouncing the Garfield character 'Odie' as 'Obie'.

The contest pitted groups of three against each other -- each team is asked one question each round and two wrong answers are enough to eliminate you from the competition.

"It's nerve-racking," admitted Shauna Vaughn, a member of the team representing the Boys and Girls Club. "I still remember the question I got out on last year."

Questions throughout the night included, "What kind of animal is the Cheetos mascot?" and "What kind of meat is used in Moussaka?"

"I watched quiz shows to prepare myself," said Jim Schendel, also of Shakespeare at Play.

The event, which drew 24 teams from organizations across Burbank, is in it's 10th year. Each year the library funnels the money from ticket purchases, team registration fees and a concurrent silent auction into their literacy program.

. . .
Photo: Trivia Challenge 2006 was held at the Castaway Restaurant, Thursday, an annual event to benefit Burbank Public Library Literacy Services. (L-R) Jack O'Neill, Tony Potter, Gary Lamb, and Jim Schendel.

Burbank Library - Words of Wisdom in Burbank

Words of Wisdom in Burbank
Daily News of Los Angeles: March 8, 2006 by Rick Coca

Anna Nelson, a volunteer tutor with the Burbank Adult Literacy program, had been warned at orientation that many of the people she and her fellow volunteers would teach would view reading as a chore - not a pleasurable pastime.

Typically, students signed up for the program because they didn't want to lose a job that required reading, got sick of taking an oral driver's license test or wanted to help their children do homework.

They weren't there because they wanted to cozy up in front of the fireplace with a good book.

So after months of working with a student who had very little reading skills coming into the program, Nelson, a retired school nurse and Burbank resident, was ecstatic to learn that the woman had stated in a curriculum report that she enjoyed reading.

``It was Christmas all over again,'' Nelson said. ``(I) wanted my learner to learn how to read and enjoy it, and she is.''

William S. Byrne has been literacy coordinator for the program since 1998. The program is largely state-funded and open to English-speaking adults 18 and over with an eighth-grade or lower reading level. The program is ongoing and pairs about 30 students and volunteer teachers.

. . .
On March 30, Burbank Literacy Services will will hold its 10th anniversary fundraising Trivia Challenge at Castaway restaurant, with proceeds going toward its various literacy programs. To purchase tickets to the event, which will also include a silent auction and door prizes, or to inquire about the literacy program, call (818) 238-5577.  READ MORE

Burbank Library - CONQUERING ILLITERACY - COMPANY PRESIDENT LEARNS TO READ

CONQUERING ILLITERACY - COMPANY PRESIDENT LEARNS TO READ
Daily News of Los Angeles: December 16, 1994 by Betty Kwong

Through perseverance and hard work, Chuck Prentiss climbed from glass cleaner to owner of a company that makes mirrors for special effects and satellites.

He is an artist and a past president of the Burbank Rotary Club, and he has put both his children through private schools. Prentiss himself graduated from private schools and spent 1-1/2 years in college.

For most of his life, he has managed to keep a secret from most people he encountered.

He could barely read.

Now, at 52, he finally is beginning to learn.

About a year ago, Prentiss said he saw a simple notice in an electricity bill about the Burbank Public Library's literacy program - and decided that maybe it was time he learned to read well.

Once a week since then, Prentiss has met with a volunteer tutor at the library, where he painstakingly works on skills he should have acquired in grammar school.

"A simple word like 'laugh,' I had a hell of a time with that. I was in the 'la' part of the dictionary . . . 'laf.' It's frustrating," Prentiss said, from his corner office at Keim Precision Mirrors Corp. in Burbank.

Prentiss squeaked by in school with barely passing grades by reading and re-reading only the simplest words in a sentence and then guessing at its meaning.

"I could read most of the words, except for those over six or seven letters," he said.

Prentiss is hardly alone in being a latecomer to literacy.

A 1992 State Adult Literacy Survey showed nearly one in four Californians age 16 and older have trouble comprehending a simple paragraph.  

. . .
For information on literacy programs in the Los Angeles area, call the Literacy Referral Line at (800) 707-READ.  READ MORE

Burbank Library - Lack of Funding Hurts Literacy Effort

Lack of Funding Hurts Literacy Effort

LAT: August 4, 1993 By ED BOND

Joe, a 35-year-old unemployed electrician, could be learning to read twice as fast as he is now, his tutor said.

“Unfortunately, we have only one book,” said Pat King, who for three weeks has been tutoring Joe through a literacy program at the Burbank Public Library. But the library is short of money, supplies and books for the Students of Adult Reading Services program started with a state grant.

The Friends of the Burbank Public Library is running a $5,000 fund-raising campaign so the program can be expanded from the 25 adults now learning to read to 125 by next July.

. . .

Donations of supplies such as paper, pens and especially new dictionaries are needed, said Patricia K. Smart, Burbank Public Library’s literacy project coordinator.  READ ON