Newport Beach Library ◯ Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy Announces Online Services

Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy Announces Online Services

Stu News Newport: 6.16. 2020

Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy (NMPL), a program of the Newport Beach Public Library (NBPL), provides free literacy instruction to adults who live or work in the Newport Beach area.

Like many other organizations, Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy shut down on March 18 in response to public health concerns and guidance about COVID-19, temporarily stopping its services to almost 150 people in the community. 

However, in just a couple of weeks, much of the program was able to be moved online. Tutors and learners were taught how to use platforms like Zoom, WhatsApp and Skype for one-on-one sessions and eight of the 10 regularly scheduled classes were quickly moved to a distance-learning model.

NMPL has continued engaging people through online channels to further its mission of literacy education. So far, about 40 online pairs are meeting with more taking steps to start in the near future. Starting this week, the program will be offering online orientations to new learners and online training to those who wish to be tutors.

In this uncertain time, the need for improved language skills is great. Many people will be in search of employment, dealing with health issues, or in need of emergency services. NMPL provides help to those with poor English literacy skills who want to be self-sufficient.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on (7) readability formulas:

Grade Level: 11

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 15-17 yrs. old

(Tenth to Eleventh graders)

June ◯ July Calendar

Learner Orientation ONLINE

June 23  6 pm – 7 pm

Tutor Training - Online

July 8 and July 15: 10am - 12:30 pm 

Prospective tutors must attend both sessions to complete training. 

Reservations for this training are required.

Online Orientation must be completed before attending Training. 

For more information

949 . 717 . 3874

Free Virtual Workplace Experience Online Learning ◯ Edge Factor

Online Learning Is Easy with a Free Virtual Workplace Experience

@EdgeFactorShow

Edge Factor: 5.14.2020

Online Learning Is Easy with a Free Virtual Workplace Experience

As the 2019-20 school year winds down, COVID-19 is restricting students from exploring their options or allowing them to get out on Co-op or workplace tours.

In answer to this, Edge Factor proudly presents an all-new series of Virtual Workplace Experiences (VWE) to empower students to go behind closed doors and discover real-life work environments.

In the voice of an Industry professional, each Virtual Workplace Experience covers topics such as the equipment and tools used, typical aspects of the job, safety, technology and materials, and more. Each episode features a different company, including Niagara Parks, I-Cubed Robotics, Flying Colours, Brouwer Construction, and many more. The accompanying lesson plan equips educators to assess students’ prior knowledge of the industry, assess the information that students learned after watching the video and help students to create goals for their future career pathways.

FREE Videos & Lesson Plans

Any educator can click here to download the free weekly Lesson Plan and share the video with their students!  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on (7) readability formulas:

Grade Level: 16

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: College graduate

SCLLN TUTOR ◯ LEARNER RESOURCES

Adult Learner LINKS

Organizations - Blogs - Exercises - Pronunciation & More

Action Requested Time Sensitive ◯ Send A Quick Tweet ◯ Save CA Library Funding In The State Budget

Action Requested: Time Sensitive

Send A Quick Tweet To Save

CA Library Funding In The State Budget

CLA: 6.10.2020

Save California Public Library and Literacy Funding

The California State Legislature and the Governor are putting the final touches on the 2020-21 State Budget, which is required to be passed by the Legislature by June 15th. CLA has learned that the Legislature is proposing a $1.5 million cut to the California Library Services Act, the collaborative loaning and lending program utilized by the regional Systems. As you know, library borrowing grew substantially during the COVID-19 “shelter in place” orders and these loaned materials have been a lifeline for many parents who are home-schooling their children, as well seniors, immunocompromised persons, the homebound community, college students, and others.

A $1.5 million cut to the program would have significant negative effects on the CLSA at a time that libraries can ill afford a reduction in these services.

Popular programs like Lunch at the Library and Zip Books are also being proposed for cuts this year, which will also mean painful reductions for these critical community services.

Please take a minute today and send one of the three following tweets below to the Senate Budget Chair, Holly Mitchell, who has been a champion of library funding in past years, and Assemblyman Phil Ting, Assembly Budget Chair. The State is facing a $54 billion Budget deficit, so the legislature is looking for dollars wherever they can find them in order to balance the Budget. Help us save the CLSA by sending your tweet by Friday morning (June 12).

Thank you for your help.

Sample tweets follow:

Libraries are critical lifelines for the community during the pandemic. Popular programs like Lunch at the Library and the CA Library Services Act are on the chopping block in the State Budget. Will you please help us save the funding @SenHJMitchell and @PhilTing

The CA Library Assoc encourages @SenHJMitchell and @PhilTing to restore the $1.5 million cut to the CA Library Services Act before passing the 2020-21 State Budget. CLSA is a popular loaning and lending program. Public library patrons who are requesting materials for at-home use is at an all time high.

Parents who are home-schooling kids, seniors, and the disabled community all understand the value of public libraries and free library resources during COVID-19.. These services are in jeopardy, however, if the CA Library Services Act cut is not restored in the Budget. Looking to @SenHJMitchell, a library champion, to help.

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on (7) readability formulas:

Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old

(Twelfth graders)

Redlands Library ◯ Coronavirus Pushes Redlands Literacy Program Online

Coronavirus Pushes Redlands Literacy Program Online

Redlands Daily Facts: 5.31.2020 by Diane Shimota, Adult Literacy Coord-A.K. Smiley Library

Before social distancing was required in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, adult learners in the Redlands Adult Literacy Program met weekly with their volunteer tutors at A. K. Smiley Public Library or program-approved learning sites at Clement Middle School, Family Services Association and the Redlands Community Center. The tutor-learner teams worked shoulder-to-shoulder to help the learners improve their reading and writing skills. 

On March 16, the library was closed to the public due to the virus. The literacy program faced the major challenge of finding new ways for tutors to assist learners in meeting their literacy goals, while complying with the governor’s social distancing guidelines. Additionally, the request for literacy assistance grew, as 25% of adult learners were laid off due to the economic downturn.

Tutors and learners have met the social distancing challenge with innovation and creativity by using apps, online computer resources, and phones to meet. In fact, over 50 adult learners continue to meet with their tutors, participate in the family literacy program, use online software independently, and participate in the learner-led book club to improve their literacy skills.

The following are a few of their stories:  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 “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)

Redlands Library ◯ More Than 340 Speak Out On Proposed Cuts To Redlands Library, Other Departments

More Than 340 Speak Out On Proposed Cuts To Redlands Library, Other Departments

Redlands Daily Facts: 5.12.2020 by Jennifer Iyer

Hundreds have shared concerns over cuts Redlands is considering to balance a $15.7 million shortfall in the 2020-21 budget.

More than 340 people sent written comments, the only kind allowed by the city due to novel coronavirus precautions, ahead of the City Council meeting Tuesday, May 12.  ◯

Staff spent about four hours reading each comment into the record, leaving no time to hear from department heads or discuss proposals before the Planning Commission meeting slated for the same afternoon. The council meeting is set to resume at 7 p.m. Tuesday with department presentations on plans for the next year and the impacts of the proposed cuts.

The majority of comments Tuesday objected to proposed cuts at the A.K. Smiley Public Library, which could lose 17 positions to shave more than $500,000 from its budget. Also, the facility’s hours of operation could be reduced to nearly half of the current 57.

City Manager Charlie Duggan attributed all of the budget woes to COVID-19’s effect on the economy.

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The proposed 2020-21 budget originally called for library hours to be reduced to 30 per week. Duggan and managers looked into using more reserves to replace some of the proposed cuts, and brought the library up to 35 hours.

Bob Hodges, a former superintendent of the Redlands Unified School District, wrote to say the library will be needed for its contribution to education.

“These services will be even more critical next year as budget and modified classroom instructional challenges will be greater than ever,” he wrote.

Redlands resident Casey Hamilton noted the importance of services like adult literacy tutoring, “fascinating historical archives” of the Heritage Room, the Lincoln Shrine, and free internet access, which people may need to search for jobs.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on (7) readability formulas:

Grade Level: 10

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 14-15 yrs. old

(Ninth to Tenth graders)

Santa Monica Library ◯ To Lose Dozens Of Employees Under Proposed Budget Cuts ◯ SM Daily Press

Santa Monica Public Library To Lose Dozens Of Employees Under Proposed Budget Cuts

SM Daily Press: 5.08.2020 by Madeleine Pauker

The Santa Monica Public Library is facing a 40% reduction in funding as the city of Santa Monica makes deep cuts to avoid a budget deficit brought on by the coronavirus recession.

If City Council approves a $5.5 million reduction in its $13 million budget, the library will eliminate 26.5 full-time positions and lay off 80 as-needed pages, said Patty Wong, director of library services. Forty-seven remaining employees will circulate between three locations that will reopen, working to maintain safe access to books and computers and facilitating programs online and in-person.

“It’s scary, intimating, difficult and sad, but at same time something we’re committed to doing because we have this incredible economic stressor ahead of us,” Wong said. “We have the responsibility to the public to provide the best service we can regardless of what the circumstances are.”

The library closed its five locations in March to slow the spread of coronavirus. The Fairview and Ocean Park branches will remain closed for the foreseeable future, and the system’s three most popular locations — the Main Library and the Montana and Pico branches — will reopen on limited schedules when stay-at-home orders are relaxed.

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Wong said even with a smaller budget and staff, the library sees itself as a key part of the local recovery effort.

With a rising number of adults out of work, Wong said the library will double down on workforce development programs, including skill building, reading and digital literacy, and jobs matching programs.

She said maintaining services to youth and families will be difficult with more than 80% of youth-serving librarians laid off, but added that the library has a large catalogue of virtual children’s books, has been experimenting with online children’s programs and plans to continue free youth tutoring programs when branches reopen.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on (7) readability formulas:

Grade Level: 14

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 21-22 yrs. Old

(college level)

Los Angeles Public Library ◯ Your Guide To The Massive Cuts Proposed For The LA City Budget ◯ LAist

Your Guide To The Massive Cuts Proposed For The LA City Budget

LAist: 4.20.2020

Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti has released his proposed budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year, which begins on July 1. The city is facing a massive loss of tax revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic, causing the mayor to declare "a state of fiscal emergency as part of the 2020-2021 budget."  

Garcetti had already signaled that there will be furloughs for the city's civilian workforce. The mayor estimated city workers are expected to forego about 10% of their salaries. The city's hiring freeze is also continuing.

In a briefing this morning, city staff said the mayor has broad powers to order furloughs in an emergency like this, but they'd rather work with unions. Corral Itzcalli with SEIU Local 721, which represents the largest chunk of civilian public workers in town, said the city should find other solutions instead of furloughs.

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The L.A. city library system is protected by Measure L, so its funding is required to be kept at a certain level. Their budget actually rises from $194 million to $205 million next fiscal year. But the libraries are closed until further notice.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on (7) readability formulas:

Grade Level: 8

Reading Level: standard / average.

Reader's Age: 12-14 yrs. Old

(Seventh and Eighth graders)

Colton Library ◯ Brings Forth Edutainment During Quarantine

Colton Public Library Brings Forth Edutainment During Quarantine

IECN: 3.31.2020 by Manny B. Sandoval

Amidst COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, Colton Public Library brings forth creative activities for the entire family in an innovative way to connect to the community.

Since the middle of March, the library staff and its Literacy Program Assistant Thomas Robles (Library Tom) have generated Facebook and YouTube videos, inclusive of story time, a sing-a-long music segment and even cooking demonstrations.

“We began this online Library Tom Storytime series about three weeks ago. The Community Services Department is unable to engage with the community at this time, so we found a way to bring stories, music and activities to children and families in Colton and beyond,” said Robles.  READ MORE ➤➤

Huntington Beach Library ◯ Literacy Volunteer Programming Suspended For Next 30 Days

Literacy Volunteer Programming Suspended For Next 30 Days

Literacy Volunteers HBPL: 3.13.2020

Dear Literacy Volunteers-HBPL participants and friends,

As you may have already seen, while Central Library itself will remain open, this is to let you know that all Literacy Volunteer programming, volunteering, including tutoring and classes, are suspended for the next 30 days.

For further information, feel free to contact the Literacy Office or (714) 375 5102.

Beginning Friday, March 13, the library will be taking the following preventative measures to help provide a safe environment for our patrons and staff.

According to guidance from the City of Huntington Beach, the Orange County Health Care Agency, and the Center for Disease Control, for the next 30 days:

➧ All library programs, including storytimes, homework help, and the makerspace, will be suspended.

➧ Volunteers are instructed not to report for duty.

➧ Please refrain from donating books and materials.

➧ Computer use may be limited to facilitate social distancing.

All Huntington Beach library branches will remain open at this time.

We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you updated on any developments. The safety of our patrons, staff, and community is our top priority. We encourage you to visit HB Ready for current information from the city.

Please take care of yourselves and stay healthy!