Los Angeles Public Library :: The New Americans Initiative Provides Free Citizenship Help

The New Americans Initiative Provides Free Citizenship Help

HS Insider LA Times: 7.25.2018 by Madina Safdari

Nestled in the heart of downtown Los Angeles sits Central Library, competing with the grandeur of banks and skyscrapers. Well established in comparison to other Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) branches, Central library serves as the hub for all services and resources imaginable.

“A lot of us, we go to the library to search for information, so I think it’s nice to know that the library provides additional services” Rita Orantes of the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) said.

Since its inception in 1872, LAPL has grown to offer more than just book borrowing and a quiet place to study. Their free and extensive programs target community needs such as tutoring, financial guidance, veterans support, and recently an immigration and citizenship service.

Librarian Madeline Peña used the resources at the LAPL to pave her own path to citizenship. With the help of the library’s citizenship materials that preceded the new expanded program, she became naturalized in 2009.

“I checked out study materials, I studied all my civics questions. We all drive here in Los Angeles, so I used to put my CD in and listen to all the questions in both English and Spanish. Having those free resources really made things easy for me,” Peña said.

Peña said the LAPL has always aimed to serve their diverse communities.

With the launch of the New Americans Initiative (NAI) in January, the LAPL sought to support L.A.’s immigrant population with six New Americans Centers and welcome stations at all 73 branches. Their resources include, but are not limited to, second language resources, family services, “know your rights” cards, financial coaching, job opportunities and citizenship classes.  READ MORE >>

Azusa Library :: Mike Wang An American Citizen

Mike Wang An American Citizen

Literacy Update: June/July 2018

Mike Wang is a prominent business man in China. He has two successful companies in Beijing. Mike was able to provide a good life for his family in China but he always went back to one memory. As a young man Mike came to this country for a training and was impressed by American democracy and prosperity. He was impressed by the idea that you could be anything you wanted in America. There are no limitations to an idea. At that moment he knew that one day he would become an American citizen. Mike has been here for 6 years as a permanent resident.

One day Mike came into our library and saw our Citizenship corner and asked about the classes that we offered. He began attending them back in January. Mike is now attending NorthWest College in West Covina. He is studying for his Associate’s Degree in Healthcare Administration.

This is such a change of direction to what his background is in. I mentioned this to Mike, he said when he came to America he purchased healthcare for his family and he was so confused. He looked at the problem through his business efficient eyes. Mike feels there could be an easier way for people to understand and sign up for the best healthcare for their family.  READ MORE >>

May 21, 2018 :: Last Day to Register to Vote in This Election

May 21, 2018

Last day to register to vote in this election

Easy Voter Guide

May 21, 2018

Last day to register to vote in this election

May 29, 2018

Last day to request a “vote by mail” ballot

June 5, 2018 :: ELECTION DAY

Your polling place is open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Missed the May 21 voter registration deadline?

You can still vote in this election!

If you missed the deadline:

go to your County Elections Office or other special location

You will be able to register and vote on the same day - all the way up

through Election Day.

3 simple steps you can complete in one visit

1. Register to vote.

2  Vote.

3. Seal your ballot in a special envelope and sign it.

Voters Edge

Get the facts about the candidates and propositions before you vote.

Governor – The highest elected official in California:

Oversees most state departments and agencies.

Prepares annual state budget.

Approves or rejects new state laws.

Lieutenant Governor – Next in line:

Becomes Governor if the elected Governor leaves office.

Has a tie-breaking vote in the State Senate.

Secretary of State – Head of elections and record keeping:

Coordinates statewide elections and oversees election laws.

Also keeps records about new corporations and businesses and other state databases.

Controller – The state’s bookkeeper:

Keeps track of how the state’s money is spent.

Issues most checks from the state and manages collection of money due to the state. Reports on finances of state and local governments.

Treasurer – The state’s banker:

Manages the state’s investments and assets.

Coordinates the sale of state bonds.

Attorney General – The state’s top lawyer:

Makes sure laws are enforced the same way across the state.

Manages the state Department of Justice.

Oversees sheriffs and district attorneys.

Insurance Commissioner – Insurance overseer:

Manages the state Department of Insurance.

Enforces laws that insurance companies must follow.

Superintendent of Public Instruction – Head of public schools:

Manages the state Department of Education.

Provides leadership and assistance to all public schools in California.

Enforces education regulations.

U.S. Senator (6-Year term)

Representative in U.S. Congress (2-Year term)

State Senator (4-Year term; even-numbered districts will be voted on in this election)

State Assembly Member (2-Year term)

State Board of Equalization (state tax commission; 4-Year term)

Propositions

68 Bonds for Environment, Parks and Water

69 Transportation Funding

70 Cap-and-Trade Amendment

71 Ballot Measure Effective Date

72 Taxes for Rainwater Capture Systems

Produced for statewide elections in California since 1994, the Easy Voter Guide is a collaboration of the League of Women Voters® of California Education Fund and the California State Library.

The Easy Voter's Guide was started when a group of public library adult literacy students [ Bay Area New Readers Council ] felt that there was a lack of nonpartisan voter information accessible to adults still working on their reading skills.

Voter’s Edge California – Find information about your local as well as statewide candidates and measures along with a polling place look up feature.

CAvotes – Website of the nonpartisan League of Women Voters of California Education Fund

Look up your local League of Women Voters

The California State Library and Library Literacy Services – a partner and co-founder of the Easy Voter Guide project

Common Knowledge – co-founder of the Easy Voter Guide project

The James Irvine Foundation

National City Library :: Library Helps Would-be Citizens Prep for the Big Exam

Library helps would-be citizens prep for the big exam

Star News: 7.01.2017 by Robert Moreno

The National City Public Library provides many resources for the community: from use of a computer for library members to a summer reading program that keeps students actively reading while they are out of school during summer break.

But a recent partnership with the Jewish Family Service of San Diego has put the library’s free U.S. Citizenship Classes as one of the most popular programs the library has to offer.

Two separate classes are offered, one for individuals wanting one-on-one tutoring, and another for people who prefer multi-student interaction in a classroom setting.

Currently 10 people are taking a 10-week, two-hour, twice a week citizenship class. A new session starts July 15 which is already filled to capacity. The library has their own tutors with the Jewish Family Service of San Diego also provides an instructor.

National City Library literacy coordinator Matt Boatman said the demographic of people taking citizenship classes at the National City Library are mainly Hispanic and some Filipino, reflective of the National City community.

“There’s been a very  steady demand for citizenship, for people taking a step from being legal residents to getting full citizenship,” he said “So we’re doing our best to meet that demand.” READ MORE @

CLA 2017 Day In The District :: SCA 3-Dodd :: State Budget

CLA 2017 Day in the District

CLA: March 2017

What is “Day in the District?”

“Day in the District” is an effective way to build relationships with your legislator(s) by concentrating your time with the legislator in his or her district office, rather than at the busy State Capitol. Developing relationships with new legislators and bolstering your relationship with continuing legislators is incredibly important for the success of CLA’s advocacy platform.

Library directors, staff, Friends groups and trustees, literacy advocates, and other supporters are encouraged to schedule appointments with their legislators during the month of March.

Advocacy Issue: SCA 3-Dodd (library construction bonds – 55% vote approval)

Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) has introduced SCA 3, which seeks to lower the local voter threshold for library construction bonds from the current two-thirds vote to a 55% vote. CLA is the official sponsor of SCA 3 and we will be actively working to secure passage of the legislation in the legislature.

Advocacy Issue: State Budget

The Governor’s 2017-18 State Budget does not include any new increases for library funding. Due to the Governor’s concerns over a future economic downturn, as well as the uncertainty surrounding federal Budget issues, the Governor released a prudent Budget in January, which “holds the line” on current library funding.

Due to term limits, many of the “library champions” for CLA have recently departed the legislature. CLA is looking for the next generation of “library champions” in the California State Senate and Assembly. Could your legislator be our next library leader?  

    

Materials

·  Tips for Lobbying Your Legislator

·  Key Committee Members

·  Sample Letter

·  Day in the District Ideas

·  SCA 3 Fact Sheet

·  CLA Legislative Visit Worksheet

·  California Public Libraries and CENIC

Helpful Links

·  Find your Assembly Member or State Senator

·  Locate and track bills in the California State Legislature

CLA Call to Action :: Phone Your Representatives Today :: President's Budget to Eliminate Federal Library Funding

FEDERAL BUDGET NEWS - YOUR ACTION REQUESTED TODAY!

CLA Latest News: March 2017

                         

Dear California Library Community:

If you have not yet seen the news this morning, the new Federal budget (among other things) eliminates the IMLS. 

ALA Press Release – President’s budget proposal to eliminate federal library funding 'counterproductive and short-sighted'

·  Budget from White House – America First

·  Details about the budget – What Trump cut in his budget

      Washington Post: 3.16.2017 by Kim Soffen and Denise Lu 

Read related:  Trump federal budget 2018: Massive cuts to the arts, science and the poor

Members of House Appropriations 

· Calvert, 42^nd District  (Corona/IE)

· Valadao, 21^st District (Hanford)

· Roybal-Allard, 40^th District (Commerce)

· Lee, 13^th District (East Bay)

· Aguilar, 31^st District (San Bernardino/IE)

·   Library Services & Technology Act Funding in California

·  2015-2016 LSTA Funds by District

Please get on the phone with your representatives today, this is urgent.

Helen McAlary,

President, California Library Association

Volunteers Provide America $184 Billion Dollars in Value 2015

How do you provide America $184 billion dollars in value?

Volunteering and Civic Life in America

Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS): November 2016

National, State, City, and Demographic Information

This site is home to the most comprehensive look at volunteering and civic life in the 50 states and 51 cities across the country. Data includes volunteer rates and rankings, civic engagement trends, and analysis.

Overall, the volunteer rate remained steady as 62.6 million Americans volunteered 7.8 billion hours last year. Based on the Independent Sector's estimate of the average value of a volunteer hour ($23.56 in 2015), the estimated value of this volunteer service is nearly $184 billion.  READ MORE @

Top 10 States

1    Utah

2    Minnesota

3    Wisconsin

4    South Dakota

5    Idaho

6    Nebraska

7    Kansas

8    Vermont

9    Alaska

10  Iowa

California is 34th

Los Angeles Public Library - Voter Information at Your Local Library

LAPL Voter Information

This year is an important year for our nation. We want to encourage all eligible Californians to register to vote and cast a ballot. Registration deadline to vote in the November 8 election is October 24. We can help! Voter registration and nonpartisan programs on ballot measures are available at your local library.

Your country. Your voice. Your vote.

Voter registration is conveniently available at local libraries.

Sign up to vote, or check if you are registered.

Get informed.

Learn about the measures that will be on your ballot. The League of Women Voters of Los Angeles will present non-partisan descriptions of ballot measures at their popular Pros and Cons programs. Get the facts, hear the arguments, and decide for yourself!

Upcoming events

Sep 27 :: Voter Registration Day

Easy Voter Guide  November 2016 Election

in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean !

Sep 27 :: Voter Registration Day :: Easy Voter Guide

Easy Voter Guide

November 2016 Election

in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean!

Easy Voter Guide

Your county elections office will mail you a Voter Guide with a Sample Ballot that lists everything you can vote on, including candidates for local government offices.

Visit Voters Edge to see what will be on your ballot.

It’s easy. Just enter your home address.

• You are eligible to vote if you are a U.S. citizen, 18 years or older.

• You must register to get on the official list of voters in your county.

The deadline to register is October 24 to vote on November 8 !

• You can pick up a voter registration form at your library or post office, have a registration form mailed to you by calling 1-800-345-8683, or fill out the form online at Register To Vote California.
• It is important to fill out the form completely. You will be asked to include your driver license number or other identification.

• Once you are on the list, you only need to re-register if you change your address, change your name, want to change your political party, or because you are no longer in prison or on parole for a felony.

Take our Easy Voter Guide Survey — You could win $100!

Voting for Proposed Laws (Propositions) California voters will also make decisions on 17 proposed state laws (propositions).

51: Bonds for School Facilities

52: Private Hospital Fees for Medi-Cal

53: Public Vote on Revenue Bonds

54: Changes to the Legislative Process

55: Extend Tax on High Income

56: Tobacco Tax

57: Parole, Sentencing and Court Procedures

58: English Language Education

59: Political Spending Advisory Question

60: Condoms in Adult Films

61: Prescription Drug Costs

62: Repealing the Death Penalty

63: Gun and Ammunition Sales

64: Making Recreational Marijuana Legal

65: Money from Carry-Out Bags

66: Death Penalty Court Procedures

67: Plastic Bag Ban n Proposition

Voting Links

Easy Voter

Smart Voter

Vote Smart

Other Links

Ballotpedia
An encyclopedia of American politics and elections covering local, state and federal politics.

Can I Vote
Can I Vote helps people find information about U.S. elections in all 50 states, such as registration deadlines and guidelines regarding absentee voting.

Politwoops

A nonpartisan site displays tweets that were published and then deleted by local and national U.S. politicians and presidential candidates.

California Value of Volunteer Time 2015 :: $27.59 per hour

National Value of Volunteer Time: 2015

Independent Sector

Estimated Value of Volunteer Time for 2015: $23.56 per hour

California: $27.59

The estimate helps acknowledge the millions of individuals who dedicate their time, talents, and energy to making a difference. Charitable organizations can use this estimate to quantify the enormous value volunteers provide.

According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, about 62.8 million Americans, or 25.3 percent of the adult population, gave 7.9 billion hours of volunteer service worth $184 billion in 2014.2 For the latest information, please see www.volunteeringinamerica.gov.

For more information on the economic impact of nonprofits by state, please visit our state profiles portal.

Value of Volunteer Time by State 2001-2015.pdf