Los Angeles Public Library :: Enfoque en la alfabetización: un sueño hecho realidad

Enfoque en la alfabetización: un sueño hecho realidad

LAPL Blog: 8.07.2019 by Randall Hinson, Librarian, Office of Education and Literacy

En julio del año pasado, tres estudiantes emprendieron su camino hacia la alfabetización a través de Leamos, un programa de alfabetización a base de computadora, en la Biblioteca Pacoima. Leamos provee a hispanohablantes, quienes no tuvieron la oportunidad de asistir a la escuela en su niñez, un curso de lectura y escritura en su idioma nativo. También los capacita en nociones básicas del uso de la computadora y sirve como precursor a clases de inglés como segundo idioma.

Nueve meses después de comenzar el curso, dos estudiantes aplicadas y trabajadoras siguen trabajando hacia su sueño de poder leer y escribir. La Sra. Ana Teresa Batrez y la Sra. Silvia Barahona García llegan a la biblioteca cada lunes, por dos horas, a reforzar y extender sus conocimientos. Hasta la fecha, han leído textos de todo tipo - incluyendo: libros infantiles, titulares de periódicos, solicitudes de empleo, etiquetas de comida y medicina, pistas de crucigramas, horóscopos y reflexiones de estudiantes que han cumplido el curso.

La meta de Ana es escribir la historia de su vida, la cual ha sido un triunfo sobre la adversidad, para compartir con otros e inspirarlos. Silvia quisiera usar su alfabetización para avanzar en su trabajo y ser reconocida como la persona capaz que es. Cada una de ellas está modelando para sus hijos y/o nietos la importancia de perseguir un sueño y mantenerse en curso. No cabe decir que también han sido una fuente de inspiración para sus maestros.

Focus On Literacy: A Dream Come True

Randall Hinson , Librarian , Office of Education and Literacy

In July last year, three students embarked on their path to literacy through Leamos, a computer-based literacy program, at the Pacoima Library. Leamos provides Spanish speakers, who did not have the opportunity to attend school in their childhood, a reading and writing course in their native language. It also trains them in basic notions of computer use and serves as a precursor to English as a second language classes.

Nine months after starting the course, two applied and hardworking students continue working towards their dream of being able to read and write. Mrs. Ana Teresa Batrez and Mrs. Silvia Barahona García arrive at the library every Monday, for two hours, to reinforce and extend their knowledge. To date, they have read texts of all kinds - including: children's books, newspaper headlines, job applications, food and medicine labels, crossword clues, horoscopes and reflections of students who have completed the course.

Ana's goal is to write the story of her life, which has been a triumph over adversity, to share with others and inspire them. Silvia would like to use her literacy to advance her work and be recognized as the capable person she is. Each of them is modeling for their children and / or grandchildren the importance of pursuing a dream and staying on course. It cannot be said that they have also been a source of inspiration for their teachers.  READ MORE >>

Los Angeles Public Library :: Spotlight on Literacy: A Dream Come True

Spotlight on Literacy: A Dream Come True

LAPL Blog: 7.31.2019 by Luisa Latham, Adult Literacy Tutor

Randall Hinson, Librarian, Office of Education and Literacy

Last July, three students began a journey toward literacy via Leamos, a computer-based literacy program, at the Pacoima Branch Library. Leamos teaches Spanish speaking adults, who may not have had the opportunity for formative education, to begin working toward competency in reading and writing in their native language. It also equips them with basic computer skills. It can serve as a pre-ESL(English as a Second Language) course as well.

Nine months after beginning their study, two dedicated and hardworking students have stayed the course and continued their journey toward literacy. Ana Teresa Batrez and Silvia Barahona Garcia come to the library each Monday for two hours to reinforce and extend their reading and writing skills. To date, they have succeeded in reading a wide variety of texts including children’s books, newspaper headlines, employment applications, food and prescription labels, crossword puzzle clues, horoscopes, riddles and the reflections of previous students who completed Leamos.  READ MORE >>

Learning Spanish First :: California Libraries Pilot Unique Literacy Program - Cathay Reta : American Libraries

Learning Spanish First

California libraries pilot unique literacy program

American Libraries: 5.01.2018 by Cathay Reta

At age 7, Efren Sanchez got separated from his mother in the crowd at a Mexico City festival and wound up living on the streets. He never went to school or learned to read. In his early 30s he moved to the US. Now, at age 52, Sanchez has learned to read and write in Spanish. He was one of the first adults to enroll in the Leamos course at the Louis Robidoux branch of the Riverside County (Calif.) Library System.

Leamos is a licensed online course geared to adult learners. Typically, learners need assistance logging into the course but, with practice using the mouse, they soon become adept using it alone. A virtual instructor takes them through 46 lessons to learn how to read and write basic Spanish. Some libraries set class times in their computer labs, some provide volunteer tutors to work with learners, and others involve library staff to provide needed support. Learners can also study at home or anywhere that has internet access after becoming comfortable with the course.

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Leamos @ the Library was developed with two goals: to teach basic literacy skills to Spanish speakers, and to explore its effectiveness as a tool to reach nonlibrary users. The results? We reached 117 adult learners, more than half of whom (66 individuals) got their first library card when they enrolled in the program. Many became regular patrons and began to use other library services, as we had hoped. For example, since Santa Monica Public Library patron Maria C. (last name withheld) learned to read, she can hardly put a book down. When her brother-in-law asked, “What happened to your house? It’s not as clean as it used to be,” she replied, “Oh, now I’m reading!” In the summer of 2017, she read 20 books and received a Summer Reading Program certificate of completion.

While success stories like these have been repeated across the state, they have not come easily, and they have not happened in every community.  READ MORE >>

Santa Monica Library :: Literacy at the Library

Literacy at the Library

Santa Monica Daily Press: 3.18.2017 by Nancy Bender

310-458-8646

If you only visit the Library to check-out books or DVDs, you’re missing a huge part of what Santa Monica Public Library has to offer. Did you know that there is a Library program going on, at one or more of our locations, pretty much every day of the year? In 2016 the Library presented over 1,900 programs that drew over 65,800 participants. We have programs of all types – book discussions, crafts, computer classes, author talks, film screenings, concerts – and for all ages.

While some of these programs are totally, completely, unabashedly for fun – how about a screening of The Secret Life of Pets, anyone? – many are educational in nature and, of those, some speak specifically to learning skills that advance one’s literacy, or “competence or knowledge in a specified area.” Our programs include everything from Story Times for babies and children to computer classes for adults; all with the goal of boosting literacy.

This year, the Santa Monica Public Library (SMPL) expands its educational offerings by launching a new Adult Literacy Program, made possible by a California Library Literacy Grant. The program features volunteer adult literacy tutors working one-on-one with adult learners, helping them learn or improve their reading and writing skills. This new program is part of a larger umbrella of learning programming at the Library.

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Santa Monica Public Library’s Pico Branch offers LEAMOS, a pre-ESL online literacy course for Spanish speakers looking to learn or improve reading and writing skills. The Library has teamed up with the Adult Education Center to host ESL classes, with community and SMMUSD parents receiving priority registration. The first series of classes runs from January through June of this year, with the plan to continue with additional sessions after that.  READ MORE @

Adult Literacy @ California Library Association Conference :: Nov 3-5

Adult Literacy @ California Library Association Conference :: Nov 3-5

Swing Into Action

Student Resources for Literacy Tutors

November 3, 2016 | 1:15 PM - 4:15 PM

look at books, apps, and more for adult learners, as well as information on learning disabilities and student resources.

Sponsored by: CLA Literacy Interest Group

Leamos @ The Library

Swinging Into Action for Spanish Literacy

November 4 | 4:45 PM - 5:45 PM

Spanish literacy for non-literate Spanish speakers

Penny Hineline; Cathay Reta, Azusa City Library; Beverly Schwartzberg; Julian Zamora

Money Smart Week at the Malls

November 5 | 12:30 PM - 2 PM

The Fresno County Public Library WoW! (Without Walls Library) team took Money Smart Week to several local malls in 2016.

Shannon Morrison, Fresno County Public Library

Literacy :: #HispanicHeritageMonth | @laplenespanol | @LACountyLibrary | @SantaMonicaLibr | @camarillolib | @UplandLibrary | @librarycongress | @RWTnow

Tweet – Tweeter – Tweetest

Superlatives from SCLLN

¡Celebra el Mes de la Herencia Latina con nosotros!

http://lapl.me/OGz12QE  #HHM

 

@laplenespanol Sep 15

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!

Join us for special events, art activities, & more:

http://www.colapublib.org/hispanic/

@LACountyLibrary Sep 15

Celebrate #HispanicHeritageMonth

at the #Pico #Library this Saturday 9/17 11am-2pm.

http://ht.ly/qWl5304fj8q

@SantaMonicaLibr Sep 15

Celebrate #HispanicHeritageMonth

with Storytime Amigos!

Wednesdays from 9/14 - 10/12 at 3pm in the Pirate Ship!

@camarillolib Sep 12

Today marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, a time where we celebrate the many contributions Hispanics...

@UplandLibrary Sep 15

Here's a site full of resources for #HispanicHeritageMonth

Sept 15-Oct 15

http://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov 

@librarycongress  Sep 15

Celebrate the culture, art, and achievements of Hispanic people,

Sep 15-Oct 15: http://bit.ly/S7RZ4f 

@RWTnow  Sep 15

Riverside County Library :: To Increase Literacy Among Nonliterate Latino Adults

Riverside County Library System to Increase Literacy Among Nonliterate Latino Adults

Riverside County Library Press Release: 3.08.2016

The Literacy Headquarters, located at the Louis Robidoux Library, has been selected as one of five libraries across California to pilot LeamosTM (Let’s Read) @ the Library.  Centro Latino for Literacy (Centro Latino), a nonprofit organization headquartered in Los Angeles, launched the project to bring its online literacy course to the state’s non-literate Spanish speakers, which number 573,866 (2009-2011 ACS, PERE pooled file).  The two-year pilot project is supported by a grant awarded by the James Irvine Foundation to Centro Latino to explore partnerships with public libraries. Greg Lucas, California State Librarian said, “In a state which in 2014 gained a Latino plurality, it seems at a minimum good common sense to encourage programs like Leamos™.  Without literacy skills in their native language, proficiency in English becomes significantly harder, if not impossible to attain.”

Public libraries will incorporate the use of Leamos™ as an effective strategy to both promote reading at its most basic level and to effectively outreach to Spanish-speakers in their communities. “Public libraries are a natural ally in fulfilling our mission of creating innovative solutions that transform lives through literacy.  Leamos™ @ the Library is the portal for nonliterate Spanish speakers to close both the basic and digital literacy gaps and to increase civic engagement,” stated Mari Riddle, Centro Latino President and CEO.  “Learning to read and write is ground zero. Many students have described learning to read and write as being able to see after a lifetime of being blind – ‘Ya tengo ojos (Now I have eyes)’”.  READ MORE @

Camarena Library :: Selected to Pilot Spanish Literacy Course Across California

Camarena Memorial Library To Increase Among Non-Literate Latino Adults Selected to Pilot Spanish Literacy Course Across California

Desert Review: 7.20.2016

The Camarena Memorial Library has been selected as one of nine libraries across California to join a pilot program – LeamosTM (Let’s Read) @ the Library. Centro Latino for Literacy (Centro Latino), a nonprofit organization headquartered in Los Angeles, launched the project to bring its online literacy course to the state’s non-literate Spanish speakers, which number 573,866 (2009-2011 ACS, PERE pooled file). The two-year pilot project is supported by a grant awarded by the James Irvine Foundation to Centro Latino to explore partnerships with public libraries. Greg Lucas, California State Librarian said, “In a state which gained a Latino plurality [in 2014], it seems at a minimum good common sense to encourage programs like Leamos. Without literacy skills in their native language, proficiency in English becomes significantly harder, if not impossible, to attain.”

Public libraries will incorporate the use of Leamos™ as an effective strategy to both promote reading at its most basic level and to effectively outreach to Spanish-speakers in their communities. “Leamos @ the Library is the portal for non-literate Spanish speakers to close both the basic and digital literacy gaps and to increase civic engagement,” stated AnaMaria Ruiz, Centro Latino Board Liaison, pointing out that a key initiative of the James Irvine Foundation is to increase civic engagement. “Learning to read and write is ground zero. Many students have described learning to read and write as being able to see after a lifetime of being blind – ‘Ya tengo ojos (Now I have eyes)’”.

Library literacy staff involved with the Southern California Library Literacy Network (SCLLN) have encountered this need in their communities, but have lacked the resources to address it. 

Meanwhile, Centro Latino for Literacy (Centro Latino) has been teaching basic literacy skills to Spanish speakers since 1991 and in 2004 transferred its course to an online platform to make it available beyond its Los Angeles classrooms. Now operating as a social enterprise, Centro Latino licenses its proprietary LeamosTM (Let's Read) Basic online course to workforce development organizations, parent engagement groups, community colleges, public libraries and more.  In March 2015 the James Irvine Foundation awarded a two-year grant to Centro Latino to deepen its impact statewide; Centro Latino chose to focus this effort on partnerships with public libraries.  They have recruited five libraries for year one of the project (Roseville, Salinas, Santa Barbara, Riverside, and Covina), and  the library systems which already partner with Centro Latino will also participate in this project to bring the broadest possible perspectives and learning experiences together.  The five libraries currently involved are:  Azusa, Los Angeles County-Huntington Park branch, Los Angeles City Library, Huntington Beach, and Anaheim. Together these ten libraries will pilot using Leamos Basic as a tool for public libraries to teach literacy skills to Spanish speakers and their experience will be documented and guide an additional ten California libraries to provide Spanish literacy in their communities in year two of the Irvine grant. 

SCLLN has designed this LSTA proposal as a companion piece to leverage the James Irvine Foundation award to Centro Latino to strengthen its focus on public libraries as a community anchor – a “zocalo” (public square) familiar to Latin America immigrants.

Azusa Library :: Leamos (Let’s Read) at the Library :: PLA Conference April 9

Leamos (Let’s Read) at the Library:

Using Web-Based Curriculum to Engage Latino Families

PLA Conference: April 9, 2016, 9:30 am

This program shares up-to-date results of the pilot project “Leamos (Let’s Read) at the Library,” a model program within California public libraries intended to meet the literacy needs of adult Spanish speakers who cannot read or write in any language. These adult learners struggle to learn English, have difficulty navigating American systems, and work in low wage jobs. And they certainly do not go to libraries. Learn how Leamos (Let’s Read) is changing that.

At the end of this session, participants will:

1: Learn about effective literacy tools to use with nonliterate Spanish-speaking adults.

2: Discover how to teach literacy, in group settings, by using a web-based literacy course.

3: Explore new ways of increasing library patronage among Latino immigrant families.

Presenter

Cathay Reta, Adult Literacy Coordinator

Azusa City Library, Azusa, CA

Azusa Library :: Latinos Overcome the Barrier of Illiteracy

Latinos vencen la barrera del analfabetismo

Existen decenas de programas en el condado de LA para Inmigrantes que no leen o escriben bien en español

Latinos overcome the barrier of illiteracy

There are dozens of programs in LA County for immigrants who do not read or write in Spanish

La Opinion: 8.20.2015 by Marvelia Alpizar

Miguel Gomez had to choose between going to school as a child, or stay home to help his mother and grandparents in farm work.

"When I came here [US] did not even write my name," said the Mexican, 49, who failed to finish or the second grade.  "To sign the checks, put the finger thumbprint," recalls Gómez, until his wife taught him to write his name.

Pastor Francisca, an immigrant who dominates over the Quiche language of Mayan origin still used in various departments of western Guatemala, had to ask for help to understand the ads in Spanish and not end up lost somewhere in Los Angeles.

Both immigrants are part of a large number of adults who live in Los Angeles County that have the challenge of living in a country without being able to read and write in Spanish.

Most of them come to this country, they are dedicated to work and have no time to study or know about the places where they can receive classes.

According to the American Community Survey the years 2009-11, there in California 573.866 Spanish-speaking adults who do not read or write in any language.

However, a year and a half Gomez came to Azusa Library, where he has learned to read through the program Leamos the Centro Latino for Literacy. He is currently on the second level of literacy.

"I want to keep learning.  To all my friends, at work, I say 'now no one can stop me. "Viera how nice it feels when I go down the street and I can read street names or signs!' 'Said Gomez, who works in a packing of vitamins.  To carry out their work, using his memory to learn the names of labels.  READ MORE !

Azusa Library - Centro Latino for Literacy :: Azusa library offers literacy program in Spanish

No solo ofrecen libros, también enseñan a leer

Biblioteca de Azusa ofrece programa de alfabetización en español

Not only offer books also they teach reading

Azusa library offers literacy program in Spanish

LaRaza: 8.02.2015 by Marvelia Alpizar

Many immigrants who come to this country have the desire to learn English faster to adapt to society.  However, those who never learned to read and write in their first language find it difficult to learn a second language.

It is one of the reasons why the city library is offering Azusa literacy programs to people who speak Spanish and want to learn to read and write in that language or strengthen those skills.

Cathay Reta, program coordinator Adult Literacy Library Azusa, said that about 11.6 percent of Spanish-speaking immigrants in Los Angeles County can not read or write in Spanish or do not master this skill properly.

"When people attend ESL (English as a Second Language) and can not read or write in Spanish, not find ways to keep pace with the rest of the class, and drop the course," Reta said, who has It was also a teacher of adult literacy for approximately thirty years and has observed this phenomenon in community centers where he worked. READ MORE !

Azusa Library Provides Range of Bilingual Adult Literacy Programs

Azusa Library Provides Range of Bilingual Adult Literacy Programs

Azusa Beacon: 2.18.2015 by Joe Taglieri

In addition to basic reading skills for English speakers, Azusa City Library’s adult literacy program offers courses for Spanish speakers as well as a new civics class that assists immigrants in gaining U.S. citizenship while improving their English-speaking abilities.

In a Feb. 5 presentation by Cathay Reta, the library’s adult literacy coordinator, members of the Azusa Library Commission learned about the program’s continuing expansion set to take place this year. Reta highlighted ongoing developments pertaining to classes and financing, which comes predominantly from federal, state and grants from private-sector organizations.

“Literacy is one of the foundational structures that touches every social issue and need in our society,” Reta told Azusa Beacon. “We talk a lot about education and needing to help children learn and improve their academics, but we know from research and just common sense that it starts with the parents at home being able to read to the children. … Unfortunately adult literacy and adult education does not get much attention, but that’s really where we start building the skills in children.”

A 2012 study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development found that U.S. literacy scores were below the international average, ranking 16th out of 24 countries mostly in Europe as well as Japan, Korea and Canada. One in six American adults has low literacy skills.

In Azusa 31 percent of residents were born outside the United States, according to 2010 U.S. Census data. A quarter of the city’s population speaks English “less than very well,” and 11.6 percent of Spanish-speaking immigrants in Los Angeles County are illiterate.

The library currently offers five adult literacy courses that are free of charge and open to all, including those who aren’t Azusa residents.

~ Basic Literacy features instruction for English-speaking adults

~ Inspired Citizenship teaches the basics about U.S. history and government for gaining citizenship.

~ Grassroots ESL, or English as a Second Language

~ Spanish Literacy for Spanish speakers

~ Health Literacy Learning, healthy living and disease prevention.

Azusa Library :: American Dream Starts @ Your Library

The American Dream Starts @ Your Library

Literacy Update, Azusa Library: Jan/Feb 2015

. . . at the Azusa City Library, to be exact.  The American Library Association and Dollar General Literacy Foundation awarded a 2014 American Dream Starts @ Your Library grant to the Azusa City Library. This national program helps immigrants to learn English to continue their education, help their children in school, get better jobs and become American citizens.

The award will help to expand tutoring for Spanish-speaking adults who are not literate in their native language. According to the American Community Survey 2009-2011, 11.6 percent of adult Spanish-speaking immigrants in Los Angeles County cannot read or write in any language, creating a barrier to learning English.  The Institute for Work and the Economy’s 2006 report, The Integration of Immigrants in the Workplace, states that an estimated 32 percent of adults enrolled in ESL (English as a Second Language) classes lack basic literacy skills in their native language, making them "slower in learning a second language than their literate counterparts."

Through the library’s partnership with Centro Latino for Literacy, the dedication of Leamos (Let’s Read) volunteer Monica Mejia, and with support from the American Dream grant, adults will be able to gain basic literacy skills in Spanish in approximately 150 hours of study. They can then successfully transition into English classes and find themselves well on their way to achieving their American Dream.

If you know a Spanish speaker who needs to improve their skills, call Cathay Reta at the literacy office:  626-812-5266.