Monrovia Library What is Adult Literacy? Catching Up With Victor Castellanos

What is Adult Literacy?

Catching Up With Victor Castellanos

KUCR: 7.07.2020

Today we catch up with Victor Castellanos, coordinator for the Monrovia Public Library Adult Literacy Program.

The program helps adults with a variety of things, such as using internet video conferencing, writing and understanding smart phones. We discuss how the adult literacy program is virtualizing the classes, and the challenges of working with older folk who may be unfamiliar with technology.

Libraries are still active, check your local library for curbside drop offs, Kanopy streaming, and ebook lending!  WATCH  09:18

Reading Help for Adult Learners

We help English-speaking adults 18 years and older improve reading and writing skills so you can reach your potential as workers, parents, community members and life-long learners. Our trained volunteer tutors will meet with you one-on-one or in a small group setting. You will learn what you need at your own pace and will be able to apply new skills to your lives. We can help you with personal learning goals such as:

Passing GED or high school equivalency

Reading to your children or grandchildren

Studying for U.S. citizenship

Improving spelling, writing, grammar and pronunciation

Enhancing your job prospects

Using computers and understanding technology

Conversation and Culture Group

Practice speaking English by discussing current events in a friendly and relaxed setting. Build confidence in your work, school, family and social life. The group meets every Wednesday from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Volunteer to Help Adult Learners

Are you looking for a volunteer experience that matters? You can make a significant difference in the lives of adults whose limited literacy is a challenge in their everyday lives. We provide the training, materials and support you need to successfully help an adult learner reach their personal literacy goals. For more information about this rewarding volunteer position, call 626-256-8273.

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)

Monrovia Library :: Team Up! Dream Up! For Literacy Fundraiser :: Sep 29

Team Up! Dream Up! For Literacy Fundraiser

With A Literacy Heroes Scavenger Hunt

Sunday, Sept. 29th

1:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Monrovia Library

Participate in the Community Feud, bid in the Silent and Live Auction and enjoy a delicious dessert bar.  The ticket price includes the cost of the game.

Escape from Vietnam, Van's Story

Written by literacy learner Mabel Ngo.

Book Signing & Purchase $10.00

Please note these books will be available for pick up at the library.

The library's Literacy Services program provides resources and help so people can transform their lives for the better.

Last year, volunteer tutors provided 2,357 hours of instruction to learners who were able to complete amazing goals, including: completing their GED, receiving a promotion at work, reading a bedtime story to their grandchildren, or even writing a book. Our learner-turned-author, Mabel Ngo, will be signing copies of her book at the fundraiser this year, with all proceeds from book sales and the event going to support literacy services in Monrovia.

Writing Club

Improve grammar and writing skills, and have fun learning to write better!

Book Club

Gain an understanding of classic and contemporary writings in a small group setting. Become an active reader and learn how to talk better about books.

Culture and Conversation

Practice speaking English by discussing and reading the 'News for You' weekly newspaper in a friendly and relaxed setting.

Speak Easy

Join us for round-table talking and practice speaking English in a friendly and relaxed setting. New topics weekly, including: popular culture, work and jobs, health, and more. Build confidence in your work, school, family, and social life.

Literacy Library Jobs :: Fresno :: Monrovia :: Long Beach :: Salinas :: Huntington Beach

Literacy Library Jobs – California

Senior Library Asst Mobile Literacy Program - FT

Fresno Library

assist the parents and caregivers in preparing their children age 0 (before birth) up to age 5 for school entry and success. Workshops for families promoting early literacy, learning and parenting skills are offered

DEADLINE:  SEP 3

Library Associate – PT

Monrovia Library

Performing literacy support, including meeting with volunteers, adult learners, and working with families and children during outreach at local schools

Supporting library patrons at public service desks

DEADLINE: SEP 1

Learning Guide – PT

Long Beach Library

assist students with homework assignments and improving educational skills; assist patrons with job search skills and resume preparation; etc

DEADLINE:  1st 100 Applicants

Literacy Clerk – Temporary

Salinas Library

support student and family literacy programs

DEALINE: OPEN

Library Literacy Aide – PT

Huntington Beach Library

staffs the literacy office & assists literacy volunteers and adult literacy students

DEADLINE:  OPEN

BayNet Library and Information Network

CLA Career Center

CalOpps

Library Jobs in California

Monrovia Library :: Learner Stories

LEARNER STORIES Angela

Literacy Ledger:  Spring 2019

I am an immigrant from Colombia in this country. I began to receive help to improve my English a few years ago with an excellent program of tutoring in the library of Monrovia.

My tutor at that time was a great person, Bryan Smith, who helped me a lot. Now I am accompanied by an excellent tutor, Margaret Page, who every week gives me a lot of help with reading newspapers and books, writing paragraphs, and conversation about different and interesting topics.

Every day I feel that I advance to achieve my goals and that of my tutor.

Many thanks to this program for not only supporting Hispanics but to all the cultures that we find here.

I hope to continue for a long time with this excellent program.

Writing Club

The first and third Monday of the month.

Improve grammar and writing skills, and have fun learning to write better! Write in a group setting and practice writing poems, stories, letters, and more. Share your creativity and voice with others.

Book Club

The group meets every second and fourth Monday of the month.

Improve comprehension, vocabulary, and speaking skills. Gain an understanding of classic and contemporary writings in a small group setting. Become an active reader and learn how to talk better about books.

Culture and Conversation

The group meets every Wednesday

Practice speaking English by discussing and reading the 'News for You' weekly newspaper in a friendly and relaxed setting. Build confidence in your work, school, family and social life.

Speak Easy

The group meets every Thursday

Join us for round-table talking and practice speaking English in a friendly and relaxed setting. New topics weekly, including: popular culture, work and jobs, health, and more. Build confidence in your work, school, family, and social life.

Monrovia Library :: 2019 is the Year of the Writer

Monrovia Public Library’s Literacy Services in 2019

City Manager’s Update: 1.29.2019

2019 is the Year of the Writer at Monrovia Library’s Literacy Services!

We’ll be hosting writing workshops, a new writing club, and storytelling programs for tutors and adult learners. We've seen many success stories throughout 2018, including: learners finally getting those jobs they wanted, passing the Citizenship Test, and graduating from our program. With this momentum, we know that 2019 will bring even more successes and positive life-changing experiences.

Thank you, everyone, for your continued support of the Monrovia Public Library Adult Literacy Center.

Culture and Conversation: Practice speaking English by discussing and reading the ‘News for You’ weekly newspaper in a friendly and relaxed setting. Build confidence in your work, school, family and social life.

Every Wednesday, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., Library Heritage Room

Speak Easy: Join us for round-table talking and practice speaking English in a friendly and relaxed setting. New topics weekly, including: popular culture, work and jobs, health, and more. Build confidence in your work, school, family, and social life.

Every Thursday, 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m., in the Library Heritage Room.

For more information, call 626-256-8273

Monrovia Library :: Community Feud Literacy FUNdraiser :: April 22

Team Up! Dream Up!

Community Feud

Monrovia Library Literacy Program

April 22

1 pm – 3:30 pm

Monrovia Library

Come join us for a fun afternoon to support the Monrovia Public Library Literacy Program. Lunch, silent auction and live auction plus a chance to play Community Feud make for a great afternoon and you help support this wonderful Literacy Program.

Reading Help for Adult Learners

We help English-speaking adults 18 years and older improve reading and writing skills so you can reach your potential as workers, parents, community members and life-long learners. Our trained volunteer tutors will meet with you one-on-one or in a small group setting. You will learn what you need at your own pace and will be able to apply new skills to your lives. We can help you with personal learning goals such as:

Passing GED or high school equivalency

Reading to your children or grandchildren

Studying for U.S. citizenship

Improving spelling, writing, grammar and pronunciation

Enhancing your job prospects

Using computers and understanding technology

For more information about our free and confidential program

call 626-256-8273 or email vcastellanos@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

Monrovia Library :: Retired Teachers To Learn Of Literacy Program

Retired Teachers To Learn Of Literacy Program At Monrovia Public Library

Monrovia Weekly: 3.23.2018

Retired teachers never stop caring about education and about students, whether the students are in a school classroom or elsewhere in the community. A good example of community outreach is the Literacy Program at the Monrovia Public Library, a goal-oriented program designed to meet the adult learner’s individual needs. Along with individualized instruction, some classroom activities include core workbooks, reading classroom newspapers, and conversation groups. The California Retired Teachers Association #71 (CalRTA) will learn more about the Literacy Program when Coordinator Victor Castellanos is guest speaker at their luncheon meeting on Friday, April 13 at 11:30 a.m.

On the program, Joe Callahan from the Literacy Program will add a tutor’s perspective to Coordinator Victor Castellanos’ comments.

Literacy Community Feud FUNdraiser

April 22 :: Monrovia Library 1p

Winter Reading Challenge :: Mark Cuban

Mark Cuban Pledges $35,000 To Global Reading Challenge For First Book and Libraries and Their Communities

First Book: 11.15.2017 by Melanie Boyer

Billionaire investor and Shark Tank personality Mark Cuban has announced his sponsorship of the inaugural Beanstack Winter Reading Challenge in support of local libraries. Cuban has challenged close to 100 libraries all over the country and South Korea, to meet a collective goal of reading at least 1.3 million minutes and 55,000 books during the month of January. If achieved, Cuban pledges to donate $25,000 to First Book, a nonprofit social enterprise that provides new books, learning materials, and other essentials to children in need. He will also give $10,000 for top-performing libraries to use for their community programs or donate to nonprofit organizations in their area.

Participating libraries will use Beanstack, an innovative software that facilitates reading programs for schools and libraries, and makes it easy to track the amount of time and books read. “After doing a storytime for my local library, Dallas Public Library, I became increasingly inspired by the work libraries do for their communities,” says Cuban. “Growing up, my mom used to give me a quarter for every book I read. Through reading programs libraries run with Beanstack, they are providing these kinds of incentives for readers throughout the community. I love the idea that we will encourage readers through a shared, ambitious goal, and that the prize for everyone will be to pay it forward to an awesome organization focused on literacy and access to books.”

SCLLN Libraries

Commerce Library
Huntington Beach Library
Los Angeles Public Library

Monrovia Library
Placentia Library

Monrovia Library :: The Eyes Have It On Infographics

The Eyes Have It On Infographics

Business Record: 12.01.2017 by Drew McLellan

We’re three weeks into a series of columns that are focused on helping you plan for 2018 by identifying the channels too critical for you to ignore. This week, we’re going to investigate the value of infographics.

Monrovia Library

Adult Literacy

Visual content works. Consider these facts:

•  The human brain processes visual content 60,000 times faster than it does text.

•  Infographics are liked and shared on social media three times more than any other type of content.

•  High-quality infographics are 30 times more likely to be read than text articles.

An infographic allows you to communicate complex ideas in an easy-to-understand format. They make it easy to show the relationship among various elements so your audience can see the bigger picture.

You can deliver more information because the format itself is simple, clean and holistic in how it presents your ideas. If your audience needs to understand how one fact or choice affects other elements, an infographic may be the right choice. If you know that your audience is faced with multiple options, help them follow the path to the outcomes tied to each decision.

Infographics are also a smart option for telling a linear story and showing the flow of events in a relational way. Think of it like a storyboard that outlines the key events or milestones. You can use colors and design choices to suggest emotions behind the facts and set a tone for the entire discussion.  READ MORE >>

Monrovia Library :: Literacy Services at the Library

Literacy Services at the Library

Monrovia Library

Reading Help for Adult Learners

We help English-speaking adults 18 years and older improve reading and writing skills so you can reach your potential as workers, parents, community members and life-long learners. Our trained volunteer tutors will meet with you one-on-one or in a small group setting. You will learn what you need at your own pace and will be able to apply new skills to your lives. We can help you with personal learning goals such as:

Passing GED or high school equivalency

Reading to your children or grandchildren

Studying for U.S. citizenship

Improving spelling, writing, grammar and pronunciation

Enhancing your job prospects

Using computers and understanding technology

For more information about our free and confidential program, call 626-256-8273

Monrovia Library :: Community Feud Literacy Fundraiser :: Feb 26

Community Feud :: Monrovia Library

2017 Team Up! Dream Up! for Literacy Event

February 26  :: 1pm

A fun filled afternoon of team competition in a game show format with silent and live auctions! All proceeds benefit the Monrovia Public Library Literacy Services Program.

The annual Literacy Fundraiser helps raise thousands of dollars each year for programs designed to teach adults to read and to capture the imagination of our young readers.  Donations from previous fundraisers have been used to establish a Makerspace to build technology literacy skills, a curated collection of materials for adults learning how to read, America Learns software that supports literacy tutors with lesson plans and teaching strategies, as well as iPads and apps for those struggling with learning disabilities.

The Monrovia Public Library Literacy program was created to serve all ages. It builds early literacy skills with storytimes, Barks & Books for reluctant readers, and the Summer Reading Program that ensures children, teens, and adults keep reading over the summer months.  Teens, many of whom are active on our Teen Advisory Board, share their love of reading with younger kids at readers’ theaters performances throughout the year. For our adults, we offer one-on-one tutoring, Culture and Conversation classes, financial and health literacy workshops, GED prep, citizenship coaches, and job skills building both in-person and online.

The Literacy Program transforms lives by ensuring that everyone can experience the joys of reading and lifelong learning.

Monrovia Library :: "Community Feud" Literacy FUNraiser Nov 8 2015

"Community Feud" Fundraiser

Monrovia Public Library Literacy Services Program

Monrovia Public Library Foundation

Sunday, November 8^th: 1-3 p.m.

Team Up! Gather your family and friends who like to have fun and put together a team. Similar to the game Family Feud, your team will compete against other teams and try to figure out what responses your fellow Monrovians gave to survey questions while helping raise money for the Monrovia Public Library Literacy Services Program.

Individual tickets ($40) and sponsorships are available for purchase at Monrovia Public Library Foundation. For more details call 626-393-1113

Come out and support literacy services in your community!

Why is literacy SO important?

English author Rumer Godden said that, “When you learn to read, you will be born again … and you will never be quite so alone again.”  Unfortunately, 32 million America adults know the isolation caused by illiteracy.  Nearly 15% of U.S. adults cannot read, translating to more than 1 in 10.

In the past few years, the funding for literacy programs has been reduced by 40% due to statewide budget cuts.  Local adult education and funding for school libraries have also been severely cut, leaving Monrovia Public Library as the sole resource for literacy programs.  These cuts mean that the Monrovia Public Library Foundation must increase its fundraising efforts to offset the loss of state funding.  We hope you will come to this event for fun while at the same time helping support the Literacy Services Program.

For more information, please contact the Monrovia Public Library at (626) 256-8247.

Glendora Library :: Parent and Teacher Phonics Workshop | Sep 26

Parent and Teacher Phonics Workshop

Glendora Public Library -- Bidwell Forum

September 26

9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Have you or your child ever read a word and thought, "Well, English is just crazy, that is a word that just has to be memorized?” If you have, we have good news for you: English is not crazy and there is a way to investigate words along with your child or students (dyslexic and non-dyslexic) to learn the true underlying structure, and never utter those words again!

You are invited to attend a Community Literacy Program on Structure Word Inquiry featuring Dr. Kelli Sandman-Hurley and Tracy Block-Zaretsky.  Dr. Sandman-Hurley is a published author and researcher of dyslexia and received her doctorate in Literacy with a specialization in reading and dyslexia from San Diego State University and the University of San Diego. Ms. Block-Zaretsky is a trained Special Education Advocate assisting parents and children through the Individual Education Plan (IEP) and 504Plan process and has tutored children and adults with learning disabilities for the past 18 years. Together, they formed the Dyslexia Training Institute in San Diego.

Presented jointly by the Glendora, Azusa, Covina and Monrovia Public Library Literacy programs, as well as Glendora Public Library Friends Foundation, this program is offered free to all community members, including teachers, parents, students and anyone interested in adult and family literacy.

•Learn to find the sense in English and “sight words”.

•Become a word detective by conducting word hypothesis and creating word sums.

•Learn about the interrelationship between morphology, etymology and phonology.

The Glendora Public Library is located at 140 S. Glendora Ave., Glendora CA 91741. To register for this program, please call the Library at 626-852-4891.

Monrovia Library :: Trivia Fundraiser :: Nov 2

Team UP! Dream Up! For Literacy

Have Some Fun at the Literacy Fundraiser!

Looking for great way to spend a Sunday afternoon?

Sunday, November 2, 2014

1:00 – 3:30 pm

Monrovia Public Library

Then check out the fundraising event being help by Literacy Department at MPL.

Join us for a fun afternoon of team trivia, silent auction, live auction, and good food to help raise money for this worthwhile cause.

Form your own team of 8 to 10 people or join a team to play Team Trivia.  The winning team gets a great team prize.  Fee: $40

Why is literacy SO important?

English author Rumer Godden said that, “When you learn to read, you will be born again … and you will never be quite so alone again.”  Unfortunately, 32 million American adults know the isolation caused by illiteracy.  Nearly 15% of

U.S. adults cannot read, translating to more than 1 in 10.

Monrovia Library - Amazing Literacy Services Fundraiser

Amazing Literacy Services Fundraiser
Monrovia Public Library: May 4, 2013

Our fourth annual Tea in the Garden last Sunday was no demure gathering. It rocked. We had the CSU-Northridge Flute Quartet set the tone with lively selections. The Loose Teas Cafe & Gifts donated a nice variety of teas and Sally Adkins Catering did a superb job of setting out delectable sandwiches, scones, fruit salads, and desserts to tempt the pickiest palate. People milled and bid on beautiful silent auction baskets. Three compelling speakers, Miga Wang, Susana Hutcheson and Aleacia Widdows, talked about what the Literacy program has done for them and how it has improved their lives. That's not all. The live auction featured an iPad, and iPad mini, a signed Galaxy Soccer jersey (David Beckham's signature and all), and a seriolithograph by Norman Rockwell. Sierra Landscaping helped make the garden theme real with large potted azaleas and trees, which were purchased at the end of the event.

Who helped out with this tremendous undertaking?
Well, the Volunteer Management Team did a fine job of coordinating, planning and plotting to make it work. Teen Advisory Board and Youth Commission volunteers provided much-needed help waiting on tables, helping people carry their auction items, and generally being useful. Table hosts set fine tables which transformed the Library, and other individuals donated time, money, and auction items to make the day very special. Thanks to everyone for a job well-done.

Not to mention that everyone had a really, really good time.

Writer To Writer 2012 Awards: March 9

SCLLN
Writer to Writer Challenge - 2012

The Southern California Library Literacy Network is excited to announce the winners and runners-up for the 2012 Writer to Writer Challenge! SCLLN received a huge response—62 entries—and the quality of the letters was amazing! SCLLN is so proud of all of the learners who wrote letters. Thanks to the coordinators and learner judging panels at Huntington Beach Public Library, Monrovia Public Library, Newport Beach Central Public Library, and READ/San Diego for donating their time to judge the letters.

Please join us at the Southern California Library Literacy Network Literacy Conference at the Holiday Inn, Buena Park, on Saturday, March 9, where the winners will be recognized during the lunch program. The winners in each category will receive $100, a certificate, a portfolio and a pen. The runners-up will receive a certificate, a portfolio and a pen. All letter writers will receive a certificate of participation. Congratulations to all of our letter writers!

Emerging Category:
Winner—Carmen C, Carlsbad City Library Learning Center
Runner-Up—Gussie G, READ/Orange County
Runner-Up—Anonymous, Escondido Library

Beginning Category:
Winner—Guillermina H, Huntington Beach Library
Runner-Up—Elias R, Downey City Library
Runner-Up—Maria D, READ/San Diego

Intermediate Category:
Winner—Akiko O, Newport Beach Library
Runner-Up—Selina K, Newport Beach Library
Runner-Up—Piernicola C, Newport Beach Library

Advanced Category:
Winner—Susana H, Monrovia Library
Runner-Up—Haruko M, Newport Beach Library
Runner-Up—Blanca F, Beaumont Library District

Carrie Scott
Carlsbad City Library Learning Center
Writer to Writer Chairperson

Sponsor & Support 2013 Literacy Conference

2013 SCLLN Literacy Conference

Writer to Writer Challenge