Monrovia Library - Local Retiree Teaches Literacy and Language at Library

Local Retiree Teaches Literacy and Language at Library
Bailey Bishop works with two English language learners on a weekly basis.
Monrovia Patch: 2.13.2012 by Alison Roeske

Bishop was introduced to the Monrovia Public Library’s Literacy Program by way of his friend Alan Wayte, who is another long-term tutor. For the past three years, Bishop has been working with Alma Lara, a mother and homemaker who is originally from Mexico.

"This student of mine knew very little English when I first started working with her. She told me that she feels some gratification and she’s improving and looks forward to bigger and better things as we move along," he said.

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"I think it’s one of the better libraries in Southern California. The literacy section is good. Good teaching materials," he said. READ MORE !

Monrovia Library - Monrovia Volunteer Dedicated to Literacy

Monrovia Volunteer Dedicated to Literacy
Joan Sinsheimer has been a longtime volunteer for literacy in Monrovia.
Monrovia.Patch.com: 10.21.2011 by Alison Roeske

Artist, tutor, and fitness buff Joan Sinsheimer has traveled the world, but nowadays, she spends much of her free time at the library teaching people how to read.

She has dedicated many hours over the years to tutoring adults enrolled in Monrovia Public Library’s Literacy Services program and children in the Monrovia school district. Sinsheimer first began volunteering at Monroe Elementary because of a friend she met at her gym, Movement Unlimited.

“One of the reading specialists asked me if I wanted to be a volunteer,” said Sinsheimer. “I just wanted to contribute to the community.”

At first, Sinsheimer volunteered with Monroe Elementary’s Language Arts program, where she helped students focus on reading texts, improving their reading comprehension, and increasing their vocabulary.

Sinsheimer began working with Literacy Services when the old Monrovia Public Library building was still standing. She appreciates the new library, which she said is larger and has more access to technology. She has tutored numerous adults through Literacy Service’s program over the years.

“I like the flexibility of it. I can meet whenever it’s convenient with my student,” she said. “My student reads to me a lot. I pick words that are unfamiliar to her and she writes sentences from the new words.”

Currently, Sinsheimer works with a cosmetology student who emigrated from Mexico.

“I’ve always liked libraries, I’ve always liked schools, and I’ve always liked fitness. Those are things I seek wherever I go,” she said. READ MORE !

Monrovia Library - Local Volunteers Promote Literacy at the Library

Local Volunteers Promote Literacy at the Library
Monrovia Patch: 2.28.11 by Christine Langteau

American-born Christine Langteau and Korean-born Grace Kim are two longtime California residents from different cultures who meet every week as tutor and student in the Monrovia Public Library’s Literacy Program.

"The best way to learn is to meet with a person who speaks English as much as I can," said Kim.

Langteau, who also works in the Los Angeles Law Library in the Pomona courthouse, said part of her interest in the literacy program came from seeing her daughter’s challenges with learning how to read. That made her appreciate how difficult English can be for any learner, from native speakers to ESL students.

"Having seen that, I come at it from a different perspective," said Langteau.

Langteau and Kim have been working together for almost a year. When they began, they focused on working out of a Voyager series library workbook for three months.

"Actually, I noticed I picked up a lot of words I didn’t know before," said Kim. Langteau said that while the Voyager series was helpful, some terms in the stories were not commonly used today. Kim said she felt she needed more that applied to her real life, so Langteau brought newspaper articles for them to go over together.

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In the senior adult day care where she works, Kim usually speaks Korean with her coworkers, but at times, she has helped them with English. For example, at election time, Kim read the propositions on the ballots and translated them for her coworkers. Reading the more formal writing was less challenging for Kim than reading the slang and idiom-soaked articles in the L.A. Times.

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One very meaningful experience that Langteau and Kim shared was when Langteau helped Kim write a letter in English to her son for his birthday.

Kim said her children have often been very helpful in explaining new English words to her. But now, she doesn’t want to ask them to help with her English anymore. She feels motivated to learn more English on her own, so she can impress them with her language skills.

"The reality is that we are living in America. Wherever we go, we are required to speak English. Whether we go to the market or DMV, that’s the reality," said Kim. She says the tutoring sessions with Langteau have helped improve her English on many levels.

"I feel confidence," Kim said. "Whenever I don’t know, I ask her. Sometimes I send text messages." READ MORE !

Monrovia Library - Library's Literacy Program Seeking Help

Library's Literacy Program Seeking Help
The library's new literacy coordinator is looking for tutors.
Monrovia Patch: January 8, 2011 by Alison Roeske

In a world where the ability to read or write can have a huge impact on an individual’s success, a literacy tutor can be "like a travel agent for the learner," said Kathy Knudsen, the new Literacy Coordinator for the Monrovia Public Library.

The library’s literacy program provides support for those who need to improve their literacy skills. Learners get one-on-one sessions with volunteer tutors from throughout the community and have access to a variety of learning materials.

Both Knudsen and Melanie Goodyear, who also coordinates volunteer opportunities at the library, say that more literacy tutors are urgently needed in 2011. There are about 75 volunteer tutors in the program, but there is also a list of 15 to 20 learners who are still waiting for tutors.

Tutoring requires a six-month commitment of about two hours per week, including preparation time.

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Anyone interested in learning more about the literacy program should contact Kathy Knudsen, Literacy Coordinator or call 626-256-8272. READ MORE !

Monrovia Library - Learner Poetry

Learner Poetry
Monrovia Literacy Blog
July 26, 2010

One of our learners wrote this poem, which I thought was lovely. Please feel free to post any comments about it or comments for me to pass on to the learner !

A girl dreamed of going to a foreign country,
she imagined she would be free from having her parents lecture her on her behavior.
one day, her dream came true. she felt very happy and free,
but she felt very lonely all day long.
she lived with her family in her dream at night.
it was just a dream and when she woke up in the morning,
she realized that leaving home needed bravery.

Monrovia Library - Adult Learners Study Long Hours at the Library

Adult Learners Study Long Hours at the Library
Monrovia Literacy Blog: February 8, 2010

The Library’s adult literacy program had 67 learners in 2009, who spent over 2000 hours studying to improve their reading and writing skills. Learners used a variety of methods to improve their literacy skills, including meeting with a volunteer tutor, listening to books on CD, and using computer programs or watching videos on phonics, spelling, grammar and GED.

For many of our learners, this is more than the average literate American reads! Many of our adult learners have multiple jobs, meaning that a commitment to come to the Library once a week is a challenge. Dedicating so much time to reading is a huge accomplishment for the learners, one which they realize will ultimately help them get better jobs, help their children succeed in school, and help them in daily activities such as reading their mail, using a bank or visiting the doctor.

Adult Literacy Awareness Month - Monrovia Library - Monterey Park Library

Adult Literacy Awareness Month

September Spotlight

on SCLLN Literacy Programs

Monterey Park Library - LAMP

Since 1984, Literacy for All of Monterey Park (LAMP) has been a leader in adult and family literacy programs. We improve human lives by providing high-quality, learner-centered literacy services to the San Gabriel Valley at no cost. Trained volunteers in one-to-one, small group, and classroom settings provide tutoring and instruction. Our volunteer teachers and tutors are highly skilled and successful, as they have helped 717 adults become United States citizens and as of June 30, 2008 they have helped 5,776 children and adults improve their reading and writing skills.

Some of our partners and supporters have included: Alhambra Unified School District, Starbucks, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, Regal Entertainment/Edwards Cinema, Hollywood Video, Baskin-Robbins, The Law Offices of Eng and Nishimura, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, Monterey Park Rotary, Soroptomist of Monterey Park/Rosemead, Monterey Park Lions, LAMP Optimist, Monterey Park Chamber of Commerce, Kaiser Permanente, California State University Los Angeles, Clipper’s Foundation and AmeriCorps.

MONROVIA PUBLIC LIBRARY LITERACY SERVICES

The Monrovia Public Library provides free one-on-one tutoring for adults with literacy challenges. All program participants are referred to instructional materials such as books, software and activities, as well as training, on-going support, and evaluation. Being a literacy tutor requires patience and compassion and less than 2 hours per week.

A bridge between the literate and non-literate world, providing one-to-one tutoring, computer and video instruction, as well as a positive, nurturing environment for those who wish to cross the bridge into literacy. For our students, we provide a path to a better life, to ending the family cycles of illiteracy, and to building self esteem, awareness, and knowledge.

Upcoming Events - Blog
Tuesdays, September 15 through October 20:
Adult Learner Series. Please RSVP for any or all sessions.
Resume Workshop
September 15, at 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Learn how to format your resume and dazzle an employer!
Informaton Literacy Workshop
September 22, at 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Learn how to search the Internet for what you need, get and use a free email account, shop online, and so much more!
Literacy, Food, and fitness Session 1
September 29 at 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Learn how the food pyramid has changed. This class invites children to attend with their families.
Literacy, Food, and fitness Session 2
October 6 at 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Learn about grains, veggies, and fruits. This class invites children to attend with their families.
Literacy, Food, and fitness Session 3
October 13 at 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Learn about good soures of calcium and protein. This class invites children to attend with their families.
Literacy, Food, and fitness Session 4
October 20 at 6:00pm - 8:00pm
All about exercising and get the family moving! This class invites children to attend with their families.
Saturday, September 26, at 2:00pm - 4:00pm - Tea Fundraiser in the Library's Community Room. Enjoy an afternoon of tea and pastries. $25.00 per person. Please RSVP at 626-256-8272

Monrovia Library - Welcome to Monrovia Literacy Services’ Blog !

Welcome to Monrovia Literacy Services’ Blog !

Welcome to all our tutors, learners and others interested in literacy. Please feel free to share questions about literacy, tutoring ideas, or anything else literacy-related !

Several of us attended the annual SCLLN conference last Saturday, which was great. One of my favorite workshops was Free On-line Resources. Lauren will expand the list of literacy links on our website in the next few days. What did we do before the internet? Lauren is awesome at finding on-line resources, so please feel free to post any questions for her or for me about on-line resources.

Monrovia Library - Authors Fair A Success Story for Monrovia

Authors Fair A Success Story for Monrovia
Arcadia Weekly: June 5, 2006 by Liset Marquez

Despite the heat Monrovians and book readers alike came out to enjoy the Author and Community Service Fair at Library Park that was presented by the Monrovia Library and Mystic Sisters Bookstore.

One of the real crowd pleasers was pro wrestling star and author, Diamond Dallas Page who was the keynote speaker.

Page who showed off his world heavy weight title during his speech emphasized the importance of reading. At the age of 30, Page told the crowd he had a third grade reading level and as a child he battled ADD and dyslexia.

Page told the crowd he was determined to read a book so he broke it down into goals was able to complete the book in a year. He is now the author of two books.

Melanie Goodyear, Literacy coordinator at Monrovia Library, said Page was a real inspiration to the entire audience.

"As a former pro wrestler he definitely put on a good show, he got everybody excited and he was really inspirational," she said. "A lot of our adult learners were here in the audience and they all walked up him and gave him a hug afterwards."

Goodyear said the adult learners shared their experiences with him.

"His theory is that 10 percent of what happens to you in life is other external stuff you can't control. The other 90 percent is what make of it," Goodyear

FAIR said. "It's about how he's overcome his adversity in life by controlling what he thinks, having positive relationships and being physically fit."

Goodyear said Page's message helps promote the adult literacy program the Monrovia library operates, which is the only one in the surrounding cities.

But Page's message was just one of many expressed by the more than 20 authors that spoke at the fair.

Abel Flores of Azusa sat in on an inspirational panel discussion and said it was nice that the authors were there to talk about their books.

"You actually figure out what they're thinking when they were writing the book," he said.

Tina Carey, owner of Mystic Sisters, said the fair is a fundraiser for the library with a percentage of sales of the books going towards the Monrovia Library.

She said that she started talking with the library about creating an author fair in February. The bookstore also hosts two other fairs, one in Duarte, and Diamond Bar.

"When you're doing it for the first time you always want more people but it takes time to build roots," Carey said.

Both Goodyear and Carey said there is discussion to make the fair an annual event. Carey said one thing she would love to see is more children engaged in the event.

"We partnered with the library to get out the message- to the community- what resources it has to offer," she said.

Carey said that she opened her bookstore, which is located down the street from the library, with intentions for the authors to connect with the readers.

"Part of the purpose of the bookstore is to create a community," she said.

Carey said it is obvious that the library needs funding.

"It's such an interesting time, Monrovia Library needs funds to be expanded," she said.

Carey said she hopes events like the fair could help strengthen support for the friends of the library club.

Monrovia Library - Literacy Program Aimed At All Ages Holds Fiesta Fundraiser

Literacy Program Aimed At All Ages Holds Fiesta Fundraiser
Arcadia Weekly: May 8, 2006 by Jennifer MacDonald

Monrovia Reads hosted the second annual "Cinco de Mayo" themed fundraiser at the Krikorian Movie Theatre on Monday, May 1.

About 150 residents, city leaders and school staff attended the event, which raised about $7,000 through entrance, alcohol and raffle ticket sales. This is one of two major fundraisers that helps to fund the organization. The other is the Spaghetti Western themed event held in the October.

The "low-key" affair took place in the upstairs of the movie theatre where guests socialized over margaritas, "taquitos" and guacamole, all the while raising money for the grassroots organization aimed at increasing literacy among children, teens and adults.

"Monrovia is responsive to literacy programs and anything that involves supporting our youth," said Joanne Spring, president of Monrovia Reads.

The group funds and organizes a variety of literacy programs.

One program is the literacy van, which is like a mobile library. It goes to places in the community and hosts a story time with themes and activities that targets children of all ages. The van will soon hold books for adults who can't get to the library.

For newborns to high school students, book giveaways are performed many times a year to encourage reading.

"One goal is to make sure every child entering school has a personal library of five books," said Monrovia Mayor Rob Hammond, who helped come up with the idea for the organization. "When you read you can learn and when you can learn you can succeed."

There is also a minigrant program that provides teachers a set of books for their students to keep and use for class.

"Read Across Monrovia" is another program aimed at elementary school students, which brings in adults who are residents, city leaders or from businesses in the community to read to classes.

Another prog ram helps cover the costs for the 40 tutors in the school district.

One-on-one sessions are held at the library to teach adults to read.

There is also a large adult education program held at the Monrovia Adult School that teaches English as second as language and adult literacy programs.

The idea for Monrovia Reads was originally hatched by representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, city council and Monrovia Unified School District six years ago during brainstorming sessions to discuss how the community could address literacy.

"It was done so we have an entity that focuses on our community being 100 percent literate," said Hammond.

The organization received a $500,000 state funded grant when it was started which ended last August. Now, the group relies on its two fundraisers and individual donations to continue to operate.

Linda Proctor, city clerk for the city, described how she has seen the difference these programs make in the city.

"I see adults looking for help that were too embarrassed to look for help before," she said while munching on a chips and salsa. "I see kids that are ready for school."