Orange Co Library ▬ READ OC ▬ OC Public Libraries Launches Back-to-School Events To Support Distance Learning

OC Public Libraries Launches Back-to-School Events To Support Distance Learning

OC Breeze: 9.19.2020

With school looking different this year, OC Public Libraries’ literacy program, OC READ / Families for Literacy (OC READ), will be launching a series of Back-to-School events to support distance learning.

“The County understands the need for literacy and family engagement are important in building a foundation for learning,” said Chairwoman Michelle Steel, Second District Supervisor. “The goal of the Back-to-School events is to help support the community and encourage a culture of reading and learning for the entire family.”

OC READ offers literacy assistance to adults and their families, and the Back-to-School events are aimed to promote literacy and help create “home libraries” to support student learning.

“Distance learning has been challenging for many parents and students,” said Vice Chairman Andrew Do, First District Supervisor. “Now more than ever, it is important that we provide essential support services to our communities through our local county libraries.”

The Back-to-School events will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the parking lot at the following library locations and dates:

Westminster Library: Tuesday, September 22

La Palma Library: Wednesday, September 23

Stanton Library: Thursday, September 24

Garden Grove Main Library: Tuesday, September 29

Garden Grove Chapman Library: Wednesday, September 30

La Habra Library: Thursday, October 1

“These Back-to-School events are part of the creative community outreach efforts OC Public Libraries is initiating to ensure they stay connected with their users,” said Supervisor Donald Wagner, Third District.

The Back-to-School events will include free books and crafts provided by OC Public Libraries staff to families while they remain safely in their vehicles.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 13

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 18-19 yrs. old

(college level entry)

Riverside County Library 2020 Virtual Literacy Classes

2020 Virtual Literacy Classes

Riverside County Library System

2020 VIRTUAL LITERACY CLASSES

Cuisine from Around the World

Sep 17, 6:00PM - 7:30PM

travel the world to explore and discover some of the world's most amazing cuisines and dishes. Collect your favorite ones and create your very own World Cookbook to use at home with family and friends! Complete a PowerPoint workbook full of fun, engaging, and educational activities

Bilingual Citizenship Preparation Class

Sep 18, 3:00PM - 4:30PM

provides preparation for the U.S. Citizenship test and interview and will take place weekly through Zoom.

Family Learning Place

Sep 18, 6:30PM - 7:15PM

This class provides parents and caregivers support with different family topics, such as Health & Wellness and other as-needed family topics.

Virtual Conversation Club

Sep 19, 1:00PM - 2:30PM

This course provides English-speaking and listening practice, vocabulary development and some reading/writing practice.

ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM

Riverside County Library System Adult Literacy Program provides FREE adult reading and writing services to adults 16 years or older in our communities through one-on-one and group reading and writing tutoring, English Language classes and family literacy events.

The program is supported by funding from the California Library Literacy Services, the California State Department of Education, Riverside County, private organizations and businesses in our communities, and through the generous support of our many volunteers throughout the County.

October Training – Virtual - 3-Part

October 9 - October 16 - October 23

3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Robidoux Library

5840 Mission Blvd

Phone:  951 . 685 . 6901

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)

Brawley Library ▬ Services Partially Return ▬ Adult & Family Literacy

Services Partially Return For Brawley Library

LEARN IV

Imperial Valley Press: 9.03.2020 BY Vincent Osuna

Library services will partially return here after the City Council unanimously approved a resolution on Tuesday.

In order to finish with a balanced fiscal year 2020-2021 budget — a budget heavily impacted by COVID-19 costs — the council voted in July to not fund any library services until after year’s end.

However, that changed with Tuesday’s vote.

Locals can now check out books via curbside pickup from the library’s Main Street branch. The library’s adult and family literacy services have also returned. Both the Main Street and Del Rio buildings remain closed to public access.

The $51,479 in funding for the pickup and literacy programs was appropriated into the fiscal budget from donations and grants.

The group Brawley Library Friends donated $4,000 to fund the pickup program.

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This part-time employee will work under the supervision of library director Marjo Mello. Since the city conducted its COVID budget cuts, Mello has been the only staff at the library. She is also currently the city’s interim parks and recreation director.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 9

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 13-15 yrs. old

(Eighth and Ninth graders)

Monterey Park Library ▬ Register Now For Online ESL & Citizenship Classes

Register Now For Online ESL & Citizenship Classes !

Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library: 8.11.2020

LAMP Literacy Program

Registration for Online ESL and Citizenship Prep Classes is now open!

ESL and Citizenship Classes

In ESL Classes, students learn to speak English or speak English better.

Students learn by listening, speaking, reading and writing. There are seven levels of classes for beginning, intermediate and advanced speakers. Each class focuses on everyday language people use in conversation at home, in the neighborhood, at work or school and in other locations and situations out in the community.

Attend Citizenship Preparation Classes at the library!

Citizenship Classes & Coaching help students get ready for the Citizenship Interview. Students study the 100 Questions, U.S. History & Government and how to fill out the N-400. Students learn by speaking, reading & writing the information needed to meet required Basic English skills. Due to limited space, those living in Monterey Park are given priority. Applicants prove address by bringing a valid picture I.D. After at least 12 hours of attendance, a student with an interview date can receive 1-1 interview coaching.

Classes meet once a week and will help you:

Improve your English.

Study all topics of the naturalization civics test.

Practice for the interview

Register for the 2020 Fall Schedule of Classes

begins August 18

Visit ESL and Citizenship Classes

For more information about

Or call 626-307-1251

READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 8

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 12-14 yrs. old

(Seventh and Eighth graders)

Oceanside Library ▬ Offers Free Online Courses To Help The Unemployed

Library Offers Free Online Courses To Help The Unemployed

SD Union Tribune: 7.21.2020 by Linda McIntosh

The Oceanside Public Library provides free online skill-development courses to help unemployed, furloughed or part-time workers get back in the job market. The courses are offered through the Coursera for Workforce Recovery program, administered through the library and made available by Coursera in response to people losing their jobs because of the pandemic. 

Folks can self-enroll in 40 curated collections of courses or view and enroll in any of the more than 4,000 course offerings from universities across the world.

The courses range from computer programming, digital literacy, data analytics/business analysis and software or app development to entrepreneurship, web design project management, marketing and business English among others.

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“The courses offered are taught by instructors at leading universities around the world,” said Chelsea Genack Eggli, literacy coordinator at the Library’s READS Learning Center, which offers access to the Coursera program along with other virtual learning programs.  READ MORE ➤➤

Become a Tutor or Talk to a Teacher

Call 760-435-5680, text 442-222-8298

or email  READS@oceansideca.org to

see if READS is a good fit for you

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 13

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 18-19 yrs. old

(college level entry)

Camarena Library ▬ First Virtual Tutor Meeting on August 17

First Virtual Tutor Meeting on August 17

The Literacy Place: August 2020

Our first virtual tutor meeting will be on August 17 via Zoom. It has been some months since we've held our regular tutor meetings, as they were previously held in the library. Now, we will hold our meetings online in order to check in and collaborate with each other. Since tutors are the backbone of our Adult Literacy Services, these meetings will focus on tutors' needs and concerns. During this month's meeting, we will discuss adapting to virtual tutor sessions, goal-setting for learners, and the many workbooks and resources the ALS program offers.

Workforce Literacy Workshops in Development

The COVID-19 public health crisis has worsened an already high unemployment rate in Imperial County--27.3% as of June 2020, according to the Employment Development Department of California. Because of this urgent need, the Adult Literacy Services program is responding by developing several workshops for adult learners. These workshops, which begin in September, will aim to help learners build confidence, explore career options, prepare for interviews, build their communication skills, market their skills, and conduct effective job searches.

Our literacy program is also working with existing community organizations to help learners receive the support they need during these times. The main purpose of these workshops is to assist learners with employment goals and direct them to the social services they need.  READ MORE ➤➤

Call the library at (760) 768-2170 to set up an appointment.

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 ▬ Redlands Family’s Literacy Journey Leads To Educational, Employment Opportunities

Redlands Family’s Literacy Journey Leads To Educational, Employment Opportunities

Redlands Daily Facts: 8.01.2020  by Diane Shimota, Adult Literacy Coordinator-A.K. Smiley Library

Many adults who join the Redlands Adult Literacy Program want to improve their reading and writing skills so they can get better jobs, further their own education, and advocate for their children. Through hard work and perseverance adult learners can change their own and their family’s lives for the better. 

The following is a story of adult learners who graduated from the Redlands Adult Literacy Program and, with their new literacy skills, started a business, earned a GED, and encouraged their children to excel in their education.

Monica Sanchez joined the adult literacy program in February 2014 because she needed to become an advocate for her special needs son. Working with her tutor, Rebecca McCurdy, she gained literacy skills that enabled her to communicate effectively with teachers and medical professionals, understand medical directives, and support her son. Monica’s goals changed over time to include dreams of attaining her GED, supporting her children with their education, and getting a better job. Monica diligently worked for four years in the literacy program to improve her reading, grammar, vocabulary, and writing. She celebrated when she earned her GED in 2017 because this opened doors to better employment.

In 2018, she was hired by the Redlands Unified School District to work as a campus monitor at an elementary school. Monica shared, “I liked being a campus monitor; it was a fun and comfortable job for me. I was playing with kids and getting paid for that.”

When the coronavirus pandemic forced the closure of schools, Monica, like so many others, found herself unemployed. She eventually began working as a DoorDash driver and used this as an opportunity to teach her younger children about what it was like to have a job and manage their own money; they helped her leave meals on porches and Monica gave them an allowance of $1 per delivery.

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Monica’s husband, Armando Sanchez, also joined the literacy program in 2014. His goals were to improve his reading and writing in order to advance at his job at Ashley Furniture and to have a better life.  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)

State Budget Deal Includes $1.75M Cut To CA Library Services Act

State Budget Deal Includes

A Cut To CA Library Services Act

CLA News: 6.24.2020 by Mike Dillon and Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

Save California Public Library and Literacy Funding

On June 15th, the 2020-21 State Budget bill, SB 74, was approved by both the Assembly and Senate and was subsequently sent to Governor Newsom for his action. SB 74 seeks to close a projected $54 billion Budget deficit while still retaining protections for “safety net” programs and K-12 education.

However, due to the abbreviated legislative session, brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, the Senate and Assembly were not able to secure an official “deal” with the Governor relative to the State Budget before they sent the main Budget bill down to him. Negotiations between the two Democrat Leaders and the Governor over the weekend were successful and a new, supplemental agreement was reached over the last few days.

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Unfortunately, despite our best attempts, the legislature and the Governor are making a cut to the California Library Services Act in the amount of $1.75 million, which will leave $1.88 million in the baseline for the program. This cut is not tied to the “trigger” as best as we can tell. We have attempted to get clarification of this action but it appears the $1.75 million would not be restored under the trigger package in Budget trailer bills, AB 89 and SB 121. (The CLSA reduction appears in the main Budget bill, SB 74.)

The Senate Budget Committee convened late this afternoon to begin processing 20 so-called “Budget trailer bills” that implement the terms of the new deal with the Governor. The Committee will be working late into the evening tonight and then the full Senate and Assembly will vote on the bills by this Friday.

The legislature will not know what the state’s true fiscal condition will be until California receives the July 15 tax receipts, and there will likely be Budget clean-up items that need to be considered by the legislature in August. In the meantime, the California Library Association Legislative Committee, Chaired by Carol Frost and Scott Love, will be meeting to discuss the development of a grassroots campaign which would seek to restore the CLSA cut if state revenues improve.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 13

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 18-19 yrs. old

(college level entry)

Santa Monica Library ◯ We Were Santa Monica ◯ Laid Off Librarians

We Were Santa Monica  Laid Off Librarians

SM Daily Press: 6.24 .2020 by Laid Off Librarians

Dear Santa Monica,

We are the LOLS (Laid Off Librarians of Santa Monica). We were your colleagues and friends. We spent more of our time together with you than with most of our families. We think it’s crazy that we’re parting ways without having an opportunity to advocate for ourselves and our jobs, so for our last act we’d like to remind you who you’ve lost.

     I never imagined my time here would end this way, laid off with a third of my colleagues in the middle of a global pandemic and recession.  I’m angry that the City would treat longtime employees so brutally.  I’m disappointed that they tossed their liberal values out the window as soon as money was on the line.   Jeff Kaplan

Delia Galan

I designed and hosted 18 adult/community programs, some of which you may have attended. These included the Race Relay discussion during Santa Monica Reads last year; Empowerment Self-Defense, The Biggest Little Farm movie screening and discussion, and a soup-making class with The Gourmandise School. I also hosted 20 Spanish story times at Fairview Branch.

Simran Khalsa

I’ve assisted in classes SMPL offered on newer technologies like Raspberry Pi and 3D printing. For the past several years I’ve also specialized in assisting nonprofits with Candid’s Foundation Center Online Professional database.

For the past year I have participated in an experimental new model for how the library deploys and schedules its workforce, and my experience and feedback will directly impact the changes you are about to see in the library’s future services.

Barbara Fleeman

I’ve had the privilege of working at SMPL since 2010 as both a Reference and Public Services Librarian.

I’ve helped shape our top-notch collections, drafted the Library’s homeless services plan, started the SMPL newsletter and engaged the community via social media.

Hanako Moondance

From involvement in the How-To, Arts & Literacy, and Fierce Friday teen book festivals to a multitude of story times – in English, in Spanish, in the Community Garden.

Ingha Chopra

Since 2014, I’ve had the honor to serve my local neighborhood and community as the Youth Services Librarian at SMPL’s Montana Branch.

I’d serve as an ambassador for SMPL by doing outreach visits to Franklin and Roosevelt elementary schools to promote SMPL’s Summer Reading Program.

Vanessa Alvarado

had the opportunity to work on other projects and develop programs, like LEARN, our after-school program offering reading and homework help from amazing volunteers. The many festivals and events held in the adjacent Virginia Avenue Park – like the Fall Festival, Arts & Literacy, Greens Festival, and the annual Dia de los Muertos celebration.

Julia Rose

I’ve worked at Santa Monica Public Library for over five years. In that time, I’ve led countless youth programs – so many of which I am incredibly proud.

Jeff Kaplan

I’ve proudly served the City of Santa Monica as a Reference Librarian. I’ve taught hundreds of free computer classes. I was part of a dream team of coworkers that grew the library’s social media presence from nothing to over 13,000 followers on Facebook and nearly 6,000 on Twitter.

Myleen DeJesus

My name is Myleen and I have spent nearly one-third of my life as a Youth Services Librarian for SMPL.

Training the SMPL Tech Teens volunteers, and coordinating large events like the annual teen book festival Fierce Friday and the Summer Reading Program. I led Family Game Nights and LEGO programs. I was the librarian who brought Instagram to SMPL.

Christa Muscatine

I’ve been a Youth Services Librarian at SMPL since 2008.

Examples of these would be the yearly Harvest Festivals, Stuffed Animal Sleepovers, Star Wars Day programs and Christmas Gingerbread House decorating programs.

Debbie Glasser

I had many duties, and ran a variety of programs, but one that I felt had a particularly powerful community impact is the L.E.A.R.N (Learn, Excel, And Read Now) program, which offers free reading and homework help.  READ MORE ➤➤

CLLS Special Projects ◯ COVID Diaries

COVID Diaries

CLLS Special Projects

Each of us has been impacted in different ways by the COVID-19 pandemic. Old, young, and in-between, we’ve all experienced big changes in our work life, family life, and social life.

The California State Library is inviting Californians to share their experiences and stories of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We encourage the California Library Literacy Services community to take part in this project and share a story, a poem, a letter–however you feel comfortable expressing yourself. Learners can choose to write their own submission or dictate their experience to their tutor.

The project team will collect submissions from learners, tutors, and library literacy staff, add submissions to the State Library’s archive, and maintain a California Library Literacy Services archive.

How the California Library Literacy Services community can take part

➤ Contact your library literacy coordinator for the link to the project website* which includes submission information and a full set of resources to help you take part.

➤ Use the resources below and on the project website to create a poem or story or whatever you choose to describe your experience.

➤ Send in your submission through the project website.

* The project website is for the California Library Literacy Services community only. Library literacy coordinators will provide learners and tutors with access to the URL.

Resources

A guided writing tool focusing on Covid-19

A resource for creating a Word Bank, something to help you think of words to use in a poem, letter, or other reflection

A template for writing a themed poem 

(it can be helpful to create your Word Bank first)

A story starters template to help you start writing

A template for writing a reflection in six words

A template for writing a Cinquain (five-line) poem

A template for writing a Diamond (seven-line) descriptive poem

A template for writing an autobiographical poem

A template for writing a self-reflective “I am” poem

California Library Literacy Services COVID Diaries Team

Thank you to the team for creating the California Library Literacy Services COVID Diaries resources and for helping library literacy learners, families, tutors, and staff participate in the COVID Diaries project. 

Alisa Adams, Sonoma County Library

Shanon Delaney, OC Public Libraries

Chelsea Genack Eggli, Oceanside Public Library

Toni Notar, Watsonville Public Library

Amy Prevedel, Consultant

Carrie Scott, Carlsbad City Library

Diane Shimota, A.K. Smiley (Redlands)

Cherall Weiss, Newport Beach Public Library

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on (7) readability formulas:

Grade Level: 16

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: College graduate