Governor Newsom Releases “MAY REVISION” Of Budget ◯ CLA

Governor Newsom Releases “MAY REVISION” Of Budget

Library programs intended for funding are

“withdrawn” due to $54.3 billion Budget deficit

CLA: 5.14.2020 by Mike Dillon and Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

During a press event held at the noon hour today, Governor Gavin Newsom released his “May Revision” of the 2020-21 State Budget, which updates the Budget that he proposed in January. In the “May Revision” document, the Governor writes: “In January, California was the rocket fuel powering the American economic resurgence – with 118 consecutive months of growth, stratospheric job creation, and the highest credit rating in nearly two decades…Now, our state is in an unprecedented emergency, facing massive job losses and shortfalls in record time. This Budget reflects that emergency.” He goes on to state, “This is no normal year. And this is no ordinary May Revision.”

In a very sobering presentation, the Governor announced a $54.3 billion Budget deficit brought on by the unprecedented COVID-19 worldwide crisis.

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Governor Newsom is proposing a series of cuts and solutions, including cutting K-12 education across-the-board by 10 percent, a proposed 10 percent reduction to state employee salaries, and over 15 percent of the May Revise solutions represent cuts that are associated with a “trigger” if federal funds don’t materialize.

Of importance to CLA members, the Governor has “withdrawn” (is proposing to not fund) the

$1 million in “one-time” funds for “Lunch at the Library”

$1 million in “one-time” funds for Zip Books

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However, the Governor states in the “California State Library” [p. 57] section of the May Revise: “The state is not in a fiscal position to expand programs given the drastic budget impacts of the COVID-19 Recession.”

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Included in these proposed trigger cuts is a reduction of $1.75 million to the California Library Services Act.

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The Senate and Assembly Budget Committees will now hold a series of hearings related to the Governor’s May Revision and will view his various proposals, including those related to the State Library/public libraries. California’s Constitution requires the state to pass a balanced Budget by June 15, 2020.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on (7) readability formulas:

Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old

(Twelfth graders)

Governor Newsom Releases 2020-21 State Budget ◯ CLA

State Budget

Governor Newsom Releases His 2020-21 State Budget

News From the Capitol: 1.10.2020 by Mike Dillon and Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

This morning Governor Gavin Newsom presented his 2020-21 State Budget and left no stone unturned with the press corps, as the Governor laid out details and took reporters’ questions for an unprecedented three hours.  The Governor stated that he was “excited about this year and for California’s future” as he highlighted components of his new Budget.

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Of importance to CLA, the Budget contains good news for public libraries.  The Governor continues to support two programs that he provided support for in the 2019-20 Budget – “Lunch at the Library” and Zip Books.

For “Lunch at the Library: $1 million in “one-time” General Fund dollars (meaning that it must be spent in Budget Year 2020-21 and is not “ongoing” in nature) would be provided for libraries to “develop summer meal programs for students in low-income communities.”

For Online Service Systems:  the Governor is proposing $1 million in one-time General Fund dollars in order to “support the online purchase and delivery of books through the Zip Books program.  This no-cost service is an alternative to traditional interlibrary loan and enables library patrons to more efficiently request and receive books not available at their local library.”

The Governor is also proposing $500,000 in ongoing General Fund dollars for the purpose of supporting the services provided by the Braille Institute of America in Los Angeles.   Finally, the Governor also includes $170,000 in ongoing funds for a technical issue relating to Public Utility Commission fees pertaining to the State’s public library broadband connectivity program in conjunction with the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC).

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The legislature will now begin the process of reviewing the Governor’s Budget over the course of the next few months.  Budget Subcommittee hearings will be held to discuss and analyze the various proposals.  In May, the Governor will release his May Revision of the State Budget, which essentially allows him to make funding/program adjustments after having received the April tax receipts.  The Budget Subcommittees will wrap up their work in late May and the full Budget Committees and Budget Conference Committee will craft the final Budget, in consultation with the Governor’s Office.  The Budget must be passed by the constitutional deadline of June 15.  We will continue to keep CLA members updated as these issues proceed through the Budget process in 2020.  READ MORE >>

Summary of the Governor’s Proposed 2020-21 Budget

Senator Holly J. Mitchell Chair

California State Library (p 24)

Local Assistance. The budget provides the following local assistance adjustments:

• An increase of $1 million one-time General Fund to support the Lunch at the

Library program;

• An increase of $1 million one-time General Fund to support the online purchase

and delivery of books through the Zip book program;

• An increase of $500,000 ongoing General Fund to support the Braille Institute of

America in Los Angeles; and,

• An increase of $170,000 ongoing General Fund to continue participation in the

Adult Learners, Budget, CA Budget, California, CLLS, Economics, Funding, Government

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee

Senator Holly J. Mitchell Chair

Senator Jim Nielsen Vice Chair

Assembly Committee on Budget

Assembly Member Phil Ting Chair

Assembly Member Jay Obernolte Vice Chair

Sub 2 Education Finance Committee Members

Kevin McCarty Chair

Rewordify

Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level 13.9

Lexical Density: 55.0%

Total word count 398

Unique word count 219

27 hard words

Sentence count 15

Average sentence length 26.5

Redlands Library ◯ New Literacy Program In Redlands Focuses On Families

New Literacy Program In Redlands Focuses On Families

Redlands Daily Facts: 1.18.2020 by Diane Shimota by Adult Literacy Coord-A.K. Smiley Library

Many adults enroll in the Adult Literacy Program at A.K. Smiley Public Library to improve their reading and writing so that they can read to their children, help their children with their homework, and communicate effectively with their children’s teachers.

In September 2019, the California Library Literacy Services (CLLS), recognizing that parents and caregivers are their children’s first and most important teachers, awarded the adult literacy program at Smiley library a grant to fund a family literacy program. The mission of the program is to introduce adult learners and their children to the value and pleasure of reading together and to reduce the risk of multi-generational illiteracy.

The Family Literacy Program at Smiley library helps low-literacy parents develop the skills to support their children’s education and teaches families how to create positive learning experiences. At monthly family literacy meetings, participants learn from each other and family literacy consultants Renee Kennedy and Joan Prehoda, who engage both parents and children in activities that encourage reading comprehension.  READ MORE >>

Next Tutor Orientation

Jan 28 ◯ 6pm

GUNNING FOG INDEX:  18.64

punctuation marks: 7   words: 162  3+ syllable words: 38

What Would You Do? Adult Literacy - ABC 9 pm :: Futon Critic

What Would You Do? Adult Literacy - ABC 9 pm

Futon Critic: 8.23.2018

A worker makes fun of a customer struggling to read from a café menu in Jasper, Alabama.

How will others react to this scenario on adult illiteracy, an issue that effects 32 million adults in America?  WATCH 9:00pm

SCLLN Libraries

California Library Literacy Services

Literacy Reports & Statistics

Adult

2019: Adult Literacy in the United States, NCES 2019-179

2013: OECD Skills Outlook 2013: First Results from the Survey of Adult Skills, OECD

2009: Literacy of America's Least Literate Adults, NAAL 2003

2006: Literacy of America's College Students, AIR

2007: Literacy in Everyday Life, NAAL 2003

2003: National Assessment of Adult Literacy, NAAL

2000: Programs for Adults in Public Library Outlets, USDE, NCES

1992: National Adult Literacy Survey, NALS

Santa Paula Blanchard Library :: BEST Adult Learning Center Awarded Family Literacy Grants

BEST Adult Learning Center Awarded Family Literacy Grants

Blanchard Library Blog: 4.23 2019

A $45,000 grant from the California Library Literacy Services (CLLS) and a $10,000 grant from the American Library Association (ALA) will help support a unique family literacy program at Blanchard Community Library (BCL) that aims to help immigrant families better advocate for their children through improved English and by building the social skills and confidence necessary to participate in an English-speaking world.

The Mommy & Me Literacy program was launched in 2017 at BCL with the purpose of improving reading and writing skills for adults with preschool age children. Children of parents with low literacy skills have a 72% chance of being at the lowest reading levels themselves, according to the national adult literacy organization, ProLiteracy.

To address this statistic, Mommy & Me Literacy strives to lift the English proficiency of parents through traditional language classes while also carving out time for parents to practice early-learning activities with their own children.  Mommy & child spend time together reinforcing the family bond, playing, singing, and building strong reading habits—and exploring the library together.  In addition, once a week, an interactive curriculum, Abriendo Puertas/ Opening Doors helps parents develop their role as their child’s first teacher and strongest advocate.

Long Beach Library :: Introducing LB Reads Literacy Program

@LBCityLibrary

Introducing LB Reads

Long Beach Library: June 2019

Long Beach Public Library is excited to launch LB Reads on Saturday, June 15th at the annual Summer Reading Program kickoff at Bach Neighborhood Library.

LB Reads is a free, one-on-one literacy tutoring program designed to help English speaking adults improve their reading and writing skills so they can reach their potential as workers, parents, community members, and life-long learners.

The National Center for Education Statistics reported that 33.5 percent of the population 16 years and over in Los Angeles County lacked basic prose literacy skills. =This was up from 20.4 percent in 1992. The annual America's Most Literate Cities study of Central Connecticut State University has ranked 88 U.S. cities for literacy since 2003. Their 2014 ranking placed Long Beach overall in 67th place. LB Reads seeks to improve these numbers by pairing tutors and learners in a trusted learning environment.

Literacy has always been a core goal of the library, and LB Reads is our way of reaching the underserved population of adults who cannot read or write proficiently.

Patrons interested in joining the program, either as a tutor or a learner, can contact the Long Beach Public Library at lbreads@lbpl.org or by calling (562) 570-6579.

LB Reads is made possible by the California State Library through the California Library Literacy Services grant.

Governor Newsom’s “May Revise” Surprise via CLA News

Governor Newsom’s “May Revise” Surprise

Newly amended Budget proposal contains new funding for libraries

CLA News From the Capitol: 5.09.2019 by Mike Dillon and Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

This morning Governor Gavin Newsom appeared before the press corps at the State Capitol to formally unveil his revisions to his January 2019-20 State Budget.  Known as the “May Revision” or “May Revise,” this document is typically released on or around May 15th after the Governor and his Department of Finance have had the opportunity to receive the April tax receipts and make a more accurate determination about the state’s fiscal health.

Of interest to CLA members was the inclusion in the Governor’s May Revise of almost $10 million in additional “one-time” funding (meaning it must be spent in fiscal year 2019-20 and is not ongoing in nature) for several library initiatives, including early learning and after school library programs.  This funding, if approved by the legislature, would be in addition to the $1 million for the Lunch at the Library program and the $1 million for Zip Books that the Governor proposed in his January Budget.  In the months leading up to the May Revise, State Librarian Greg Lucas had been laying the groundwork for necessary funding for the early childhood and after school programs.

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Specifics Regarding the May Revision:  Library Programs

>“One-Time Funding to support Early Learning and After-School Library Program Grants

$5 million to support grants for local library jurisdictions with the lowest per-capita library spending to develop and implement early learning and after-school library programs. 

>“One-Time Funding to support Mobile Libraries

$3 million to support grants for local library jurisdictions to purchase bookmobiles and community outreach vehicles that would be used to expand access to books and library materials in under-resourced neighborhoods. 

>“Augmentation to support Digitization and Cultural Preservation Activities

$1.7 million to coordinate with state entities to identify items for digital preservation, contract for digital preservation services, and to begin conducting or commissioning a statewide survey to inventory cultural heritage assets.

>“Statewide Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Historical Preservation

$500,000 to support the preservation of historical Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender sites.”

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The State Budget must be passed by the Legislature by June 15, 2019.  READ MORE >>

       Contact

Assembly Committee on Budget Members

Sub 2 Education Finance Committee Members

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee

     And Your

Assembly Member & State Senator

California Library Literacy Services Webinar :: Family Literacy

@infotweets

A California Library Literacy Services Webinar: Family Literacy

Infopeople: 3.29.2019

Webinar 1:

Getting Started: Laying the Groundwork for New Family Literacy Programming.

March 29, 2019 from 10am - 11am PDT

Natalie Cole, Library Programs Consultant, California State Library;

Amy Prevedel, Independent Literacy Contractor;

Kelly Tyler, Managing Librarian, Office of Education and Literacy, Los Angeles Public Library

Webinar 2:

Family Literacy Programming Goes to School: How our programs can help adult learners make a difference in the school lives of their children, from teacher conferences to homework help.

April 10, 2019 from 10am - 11am PDT

Sherry Drobner, Former Literacy Program Manager - LEAP, City of Richmond; Amy Prevedel, Independent Literacy Contractor;

Abigail Sims-Evelyn, Literacy Program Manager - LEAP, City of Richmond

Webinar 3:

Family Literacy 101: From Flyers to Food.

May 2, 2019 from 10am - 11am PDT,

Deborah Bernal, Literacy Coordinator, Fresno County Public Library;

Pat Jarvis, Literacy Services Coordinator, South San Francisco Public Library;

Amy Prevedel, Independent Literacy Contractor

Webinar 4:

Family Literacy on the Wild, Wild e-Frontier: Strategies for Raising Digitally Savvy Families.

June 4, 2019 from 10am - 11am PDT

Kim Noriega, Family Literacy Coordinator, READ/SanDiego - San Diego Public Library;

Amy Prevedel, Independent Literacy Contractor

So, you've got the exciting opportunity to provide new family literacy programming!

How do you even get started? In this webinar you'll take away tools you can use to find answers to this question, within your program and library, and outside of your library, too.

This webinar will be of interest to: the California Library Literacy community, especially literacy program staff people who will offer literacy programming with new CLLS funds.

If you are unable to attend the live event, you can access the archived version the day following the webinar.  View Webinar Archive

Governor Newsom Releases First State Budget :: Funding Proposed for Library Programs & Prison Literacy via CLA

California State
Library Budget

Governor Newsom Releases First State Budget

Funding proposed for library programs and prison literacy

News From the Capitol: 1.10.2019 by Mike Dillon and Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

At 11 a.m. this morning, Governor Gavin Newsom held a press conference at the Secretary of State’s Office auditorium to present the first state Budget of his new Administration.  Governor Newsom introduced a $209 billion proposed Budget, of which $144 billion is General Fund (e.g. versus “special funds,” etc.). 

The Governor explained in detail numerous programs that were priorities for him, stating, “I want to do justice to the magnitude of the decisions.  These dollars are attached to real people and real people’s lives.” He has focused a great deal of new funding in health and human services and K-12 and higher education, including early childhood education, special education, and providing the first two years free for community college enrollees.

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“The message we are advancing here is discipline,” the Governor stated.  As such, he has dedicated a large amount of the new funding to “one-time” enhancements (must be spent in Budget year 2019-2020), rather than “ongoing” funds.

The Governor is proposing the following:

-“Online Service Systems - $1 million General Fund one-time for online systems for use by public libraries to support efficient access to resources.”

-“Lunch at the Library - $1 million General Fund one-time for library districts to develop summer meal programs for students in low-income communities.”

Additionally, libraries and literacy were woven into the Governor’s remarks in various ways today.  For example, Governor Newsom announced he was “committed to literacy in the prisons.  You will hear me talk about this [issue] this year, next year, and in the 3rd year….There is no greater return on an investment than teaching a person to read.”  Governor Newsom is providing $5.5 million for a package of programs “specifically aimed at improving literacy rates among the offender population…”

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The Governor also indicated that he would be rolling out “A Fresh Start” program for the Department of Motor Vehicles.  His Budget states that “no other state department has as many interactions with Californians as the DMV. As recent events have highlighted, DMV has significant customer service challenges.”  The document goes on to state that an audit is currently underway to see how the DMV interaction with customers can be improved, and the Governor suggested, “We will look into more field locations, and libraries, malls, etc.

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The Legislature will commence hearings on Governor’s Newsom’s Budget in late February or early March.  Governor Newsom will also produce a “May Revision” of the State Budget in May, which will feature a more accurate revenue projection, taking into account April tax receipts.  The Budget must be passed and sent to the Governor by June 15. We will keep you updated as these issues progress through the legislative process.  READ MORE >>

Carlsbad Library :: California Library Literacy Services Coordinators Gather in Sacramento

California Library Literacy Services Coordinators Gather in Sacramento

Learning Connection: Nov/Dec 2018 by Carrie Scott

I recently had the pleasure of attending the California Library Literacy Services Coordinators Conference at the beautiful Tsakopoulos Library Galleria in Sacramento. Approximately 130 attendees from 107 CLLS literacy programs joined the two-day event on September 25 and 26.

The opening session featured a panel of adult learners who told powerful stories of how their improved literacy skills changed their lives. Next, a panel of library directors expressed the importance of having literacy programs integrated as a core service of the library.

Breakout sessions focused on assessment, tutor recruitment, learning challenges and other topics. I presented on a tutor training panel with two colleagues. There was much interest in our training.

Participants were especially impressed that both our tutors and learners receive book bags, as one way to support the learners’ confidentiality. When tutors and learners both receive book bags, then learners are not automatically identified as learners. Coordinators also praised Carlsbad for its commitment to reusable coffee mugs and water bottles. Finally, Carlsbad was the only program to offer logo pins to celebrate tutors and learners who met the annual instructional hours goal.

A highlight was the Writer to Writer panel featuring 2017 Beginning Writer awardee Nyla H. from Carlsbad. Nyla read her winning letter to an appreciative audience, then joined Huntington Beach coordinator Diane Moseley and Newport Beach coordinator Cherall Weiss to share the benefits of Writer to Writer.

One of the most exciting things about Nyla’s involvement was the fact that this was the first trip where she flew, rode a tram and caught a cab by herself. She credits the literacy program with giving her the skills and confidence to be able to do that. Isn’t that what we are all about?

Nyla added, “My life has opened to so much positive progress. My message to all of us is if the opportunity opens to you, have the courage to take it. You can do it, if you just try! Don’t let your fears stop you from reaching your goals.”

Carlsbad Tutor Orientation Schedule

Please call 760-931-4510 to register.

December 4 , 12-2 pm

December 13, 6-8 pm

CLA 2018 Outstanding Librarians in Support of Literacy Award :: Stacey Costello Colusa Co :: John Szabo LAPL

2018 Outstanding Librarians in Support of Literacy Award

CLA Net: 6.29.2018

CLA's Outstanding Librarian in Support of Literacy Award recognizes a librarian who has demonstrated passion, excellence and dedication in support of adult literacy.

Two awards will be given out in 2018.  The Outstanding Librarian in Support of Literacy Award recipients will each receive $1,000 and will be honored at the CLA annual conference.

The award is sponsored by the Library of Congress Literacy Awards and the California Center for the Book.

2018 Award Recipients

Stacey Costello, Colusa County Free Library

Stacey Zwald Costello returned home to Colusa County after more than fifteen years in the Bay Area, where she worked as a Curatorial Assistant in the history department of the Oakland Museum of California, and later as Assistant Editor at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University.

Costello started her official tenure on the centennial anniversary of the Colusa County Free Library, and has since worked to broaden services and programming, update collections and take the library system into its second hundred years with the ability to meet the evolving needs of the community. Working with library staff, patrons, and community organizations, the library has been able to expand service hours, build collections more reflective of our community, revitalize branch locations and improve the overall health of the library.

Unfortunately, Colusa County currently has an illiteracy rate of 34%.  In just under 3 years of Costello taking the helm, she has supported the Colusa County Free Library Literacy Program in the creation of a digital literacy program, U.S. citizenship seminars, an adult learner book and conversation clubs, and the recruitment and retention of adult tutors and learners alike. In addition, Costello was awarded a grant from the California State Library for access to the Career Online High School program. In support of developing and fostering early literacy skills and a love of reading, Costello has introduced weekly family story time to all seven branch locations, as well as provided programming in Spanish and for children with special needs, supported the expansion of the Raising a Reader program and hosted Growing Start Playgroups in our most rural outposts.

Her commitment to literacy services is a reflection of her commitment to the community at large, and her belief that literacy is an integral aspect to being a productive and happy person.

John Szabo, Los Angeles Public Library

John F. Szabo is the City Librarian of the Los Angeles Public Library, which serves over four million people—the largest population of any public library in the United States.  He oversees the Central Library, 72 branches and the library’s $182 million budget.

Under his leadership, the Library’s major initiatives include those related to immigrant integration and citizenship, improving financial literacy and providing health resources and programs.  He has expanded the library’s reach into the city’s diverse communities through partnerships with several community-based organizations.

He has more than 25 years of leadership experience in public libraries, previously serving as the director of four libraries including the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System.

He currently serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees of OCLC and on the Board of Directors for California Humanities and the University of Southern California Center for Library Leadership and Management.  He has previously served on the Executive Board of the Urban Libraries Council and as president of the Florida Library Association.

Past Winners:

2017: Ned Branch, Blanchard Community Library

2016: Heather Pizzuto, Carlsbad City Library

2015: Jayanti Addleman, Monterey County Free Libraries

2014: Natasha Casteel, City Librarian, Roseville Public Library

2013: Patricia Noa, Regional Services Manager, Orange County Public Library

2012: Christy Aguirre, Sacramento Public Library

2011: Patricia Lorenzo, Santa Clara County Library District

2010: Anne Cain, Contra Costa County Library

2009: Derek Wolfgram, Santa Clara County Library

2008: Jean Hofacket, Alameda County Library

2007: Carol Starr, Marin County Free Library

2006: John M. Adams, Orange County Public Library

2005: Sofia Bellos, Oxnard Public Library

2004: Leslie McGinnis Rodd, Oakland Public Library

2003: Chuck Aston, Redwood City Public Library