Redlands Library :: Give The Gift Of Literacy — Become A Reading Hero

Give The Gift Of Literacy — Become A Reading Hero

Redlands Community News: 7.19.2019 by Jan Fowler

Can you imagine for a minute what it must feel like to receive a beautiful birthday or holiday card and not be able to read it? Or to have children or grandchildren and not be able to help them with homework?

Or perhaps be unable to advance to a job in a warehouse because you can’t read the boxes?

Not only is our ability to read crucial to our independence and overall self-image, but has a profound impact on our ability to get a job and earn a living.

It may come as a shock to you, as it did me, that there are an estimated 32 million adults throughout the country who go through the motions of daily living hiding the fact that they can’t read. And while 32 million people need literacy help, only 3 million ever get it.

Locally, however, an Adult Literacy program came about at A.K. Smiley Public Library in 2010 under the guidance of Trudy Waldron and Katherine Gifford to help meet the needs of men and women in our town who are unable to read.  READ MORE >>

Redlands Library :: Adult Literacy Program Learners Tutors Prepare To Present ‘Seedfolks’

Seedfolks

Adult Literacy Program Learners Tutors Prepare To Present ‘Seedfolks’

Redlands Community News: 8.29.2019

The Redlands Adult Literacy Program selected “Seedfolks” by Paul Fleischman as its community read this year and will celebrate its message by hosting a FREE performance at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Contemporary Club, 173 S. Eureka St., Redlands.

“Seedfolks” is a story about a neighborhood that transforms a vacant lot into a community garden. In the process, neighbors from many different backgrounds get to know each other and form a community of mutual support. “Seedfolks” was selected because it mirrors the community of adult learners and tutors, who come frommany walks of life and countries, but learn from each other and become a community of readers and writers, said Diane Shimota, adult literacy coordinator.

The 40-minute performance will be directed by Teresa Dolan with acting support from Eric Gruenler, Kathy Johnson, Carrie and Cash Morgan, James Muro, Nelda Stuck and tutors and learners from the Redlands Adult Literacy Program. For some of the tutors and learners, this will be their first time acting on stage. Adult learners and tutors enjoyed reading Seedfolks and studying the book’s characters, who represent immigrant communities in the United States.

Reflecting on the book, tutor Nancy Reid stated that it is “amazing how the planting of seeds can bring diverse people together who would never have met and become friends.  READ MORE >>

Next Tutor Orientation

September 30th - 6:00 pm

909.798.7565, ext. 4138

Redlands Library :: Redlands Celebrates Newest Anthology Of Work By Adult Literacy Program Members

Redlands Celebrates Newest Anthology Of Work By Adult Literacy Program Members

Redlands Daily Facts: 6.22.2019 by Diane Shimota, Adult Literacy Coordinator-A.K. Smiley Library

On June 15, 135 adult learners, their tutors, their families and members of the community gathered at the Contemporary Club for the Celebration of Authors, an event that honors the original work of adult learners from the Redlands Adult Literacy Program.

At the celebration, the authors received copies of “Our Stories, A Collection of Writings, Volume 2,” the second anthology of adult learner writings.

The anthology provides an opportunity for adult learners to write stories from their hearts, choosing just the right words to express themselves, and then to share those stories with the broader community.

Over 40 adult learners and three tutors contributed works for the anthology. The works focused on the learners’ inspirations, journeys to literacy, personal reflections, family and friends, memories and adventures and reflections about books the learners had read. Tutor Sharon Regalado, who served as one of the editors of the anthology, noted the tremendous growth she saw in the adult learners’ writing skills.

A Long Walk to Water

Adult learners wrote about a myriad of experiences. Sisters Yesenia Jimenez and Ma, Isabel Vidrio participated in an adult literacy book club where they read “A Long Walk to Water” by Linda Sue Park. The sisters could identify with the book, as they also had to carry water to their home as children. Yesenia recollected an incident where she and her sisters passed by a tree laden with huge, spikey caterpillars. Isabel recounted a story about collecting water one dark morning before her mother awoke.

Maria Luz Moreno wrote about her granddaughter losing her first tooth. Zita Valdivia wrote about the pride she felt when she first voted. Wen Sung Hsu wrote about her love of reading.

The authors were given the opportunity to read their works at the celebration and to sign each other’s’ books.  READ MORE >>

Next Volunteer Tutor Orientation

Sep 30 :: 6pm

If you are interested in becoming a tutor, please contact the literacy program at

909-798-7565 ext. 4138

Redlands Library :: Celebrate Adult Learners’ Successes!

Celebrate Adult Learners’ Successes!

Redlands Reads: May 2019

Throughout the year learners use their new reading and writing skills to reach new goals. The following highlights recent achievements:

Thirty-nine learners submitted works for publication in the adult literacy anthology, Our Stories, A Collection of Writing, Volume 2. This anthology, which will be published in the spring, includes personal memories, reflections on readings, poems, and inspired writings.

A Year by the Sea

Nine learners participated in the Southern California Library Literacy Network’s 18th Annual Writer to Writer Challenge. This writing challenge invites adult learners throughout southern California to write a letter to an author whose book inspired them. Tanya Jauregui, was awarded runner-up in the intermediate writer category. She wrote a letter to Joan Anderson, author of A Year by the Sea. Tanya wrote, “After reading your book, it made me realize that women have their own keys to their happiness.”

One learner completed the Adult Literacy Leadership Institute Bootcamp and several learners have made public presentations to community groups. Another learner assists the adult literacy computer instructor. Learners began reading words, sentences, and books on their own. More than a dozen learners reported that they had advanced in their employment. Some learners are pursuing certifications, citizenship, or have graduated from the Adult Literacy program having met their literacy goals.

All learners are to be congratulated for their commitment to improve their literacy.  READ MORE >>

Redlands Library :: ‘Seedfolks’ Named 2019 Community Read by Adult Literacy Program

‘Seedfolks’ named 2019 Community Read by Redlands Adult Literacy Program

Redlands Daily Facts: 5.03.2019 by Diane Shimota , Adult Literacy Coor-A.K. Smiley Library

Springtime in Redlands is a time of abundant color and planting of spring gardens. Adult learners who have improved their reading and writing skills in the Redlands Adult Literacy Program also grow, forming new relationships in their families and community.

Recognizing this connection, the Redlands Adult Literacy Program selected “Seedfolks” by Paul Fleischman as the 2019 Community Read. Adult learners, their tutors and community members are encouraged to read “Seedfolks,” which highlights the impact on individuals and a neighborhood when the diverse backgrounds and strengths of local residents meet in a community garden.

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Join the literacy community and read “Seedfolks” by Paul Fleischman. The book is available for checkout at the A.K. Smiley Public Library. Save the date of Sept. 7, 2019, when everyone will be invited to celebrate the impact of “Seedfolks” on our community.  READ MORE >>

Next Tutor Orientation

September 30 - 6:00 pm

Redlands Library :: Stronger Reading Supports a Strong Community

Stronger Reading Supports a Strong Community

Redlands Daily Facts: 3.02.2019 by Diane Shimota, Adult Literacy Coord-A.K. Smiley Library

Reading books connects us to the broader world, and understanding what we read is key to participating and enjoying the gifts of our community. Most adults who come to the Redlands Adult Literacy Program want to improve their reading skills so that they can read and understand newspaper articles, books, employment descriptions, or medical information.

Adult learners need comprehension strategies that are engaging and relevant to help overcome anxieties about reading. Adult literacy tutors benefit from additional training in how to model, teach and guide adult learners of varying abilities and backgrounds through the steps of the reading process.

To help tutors and learners, the Redlands Adult Literacy Program invited adult literacy expert Jerry Edwards to teach a reading comprehension workshop on Saturday, Feb 23. Edwards said, “Being able to read words isn’t enough. One must understand what they mean and how they connect to our own experiences.”

Edwards led over 40 tutors and learners through a variety of exercises beginning with the basics like punctuation.  READ MORE >>

The next volunteer tutor orientation is 6 p.m. April 30

Redlands Library :: Here’s What Members of the A.K. Smiley Public Library’s Adult Literacy Program Achieved in 2018

Here’s What Members of the A.K. Smiley Public Library’s Adult Literacy Program Achieved in 2018

909.798.7565 x4138

This Year, 92 Percent of Adult Learners Met at Least One of Their Goals

Redlands Daily Facts: 12.20.2018 by Diane Shimota, Adult Literacy Coordinator-A K Smiley Library

This season offers many of us the opportunity to read treasured messages from friends and family. It can be easy to forget that for some adults reading and writing is a challenge.

It takes tremendous courage for an adult to enroll in an adult literacy program and admit that their reading and writing is insufficient in meeting the goals they have in getting a new or better job, helping their children with their education or furthering their own learning. As the year ends, we invite you to celebrate with us the many achievements of adult learners currently enrolled in the Redlands Adult Literacy Program.

Each year adult learners set reading and writing goals. In 2018, 92 percent of the adult learners met at least one of their reading or writing goals. Most importantly, adult learners reported that their improved reading comprehension gave them a sense of personal freedom and independence. Improved literacy skills helped with fundamental life skills. For example, Isabel Vidrio reported that the adult literacy program helped her to better understand the mail she received; Cinderella Tran was able to fill out forms; and Salma Marquez had a greater sense of personal safety.

Many learners have personal goals of improving their employment or continuing their own education. This year, 22 learners obtained new jobs or promotions and eight learners reported that improving their literacy had helped them perform current work-related tasks better. Three learners met long-term education goals this year including two community college graduates and one who passed her high school equivalency exam. One community college graduate has begun work on her bachelor’s degree at Cal State San Bernardino where she is studying to become a math teacher for special needs children.

Nearly half of the learners who joined the literacy program to learn how to read with their children are now able to do so.  READ MORE >>

Tutor Orientation

January 22 :: 6 pm – 8 pm

January 29 :: 6 pm – 8 pm

Please call

Redlands Adult Literacy Program office at 909.798.7565, ext. 4138

Redlands Library :: Adult Literacy Celebrates the Publication of an Anthology of Learners’ Works :: Our Stories

Adult Literacy Celebrates the Publication of an Anthology of Learners’ Works

A.K. Smiley Public Library: 10.07.2018

The Redlands City Council proclaimed September 8th, 2018, as Adult Literacy Day in the city of Redlands. The Council cited the finding that adults in Redlands seek to improve their literacy skills with the Redlands Adult Literacy Program to advance their employment, further their education, and help their children in school. The City Council expressed their appreciation to tutor volunteers and community partners who work to support adult literacy. Special recognition was given to the adult learners whose works were recently published in the Redlands Adult Literacy Program’s first anthology: "Our Stories, A Collection of Writings."

Our Stories

In celebration of Adult Literacy Day, the Redlands Adult Literacy Program hosted the Inland Literacy Services annual conference. Learners and tutors from throughout the Inland Empire participated in a workshop led by Hank Altheide who shared techniques for teaching reading through music. The workshop provided new ideas and tools that tutors and learners enthusiastically embraced. Following the music session, a panel of three tutors and three learners from the Inland Empire answered questions about their experiences in adult literacy programs.

After the conference, the Redlands Adult Literacy Program celebrated the publication of "Our Stories, A Collection of Writings," which was funded through a grant from Edison International and from donations to the Friends of A.K. Smiley Public Library. The adult learners wrote about their experiences, memories, hopes, dreams, and challenges. Over 100 learners, tutors, and family members gathered to celebrate the publication of the anthology and to listen to authors read their works from the book.  READ MORE >>

The Next Volunteer Tutor Orientation

January 22, 2019 at 6pm

Redlands Library :: Adult Literacy Day in the City of Redlands

Adult Literacy Day in the City of Redlands

A.K. Smiley Public Library: 9.04.2018

Tutor Orientation :: September 11 :: 6:00 pm

By order of the City Council, September 8, 2018, has been declared Adult Literacy Day in the City of Redlands.

Accepting the proclamation at the September 4, 2018, City Council Meeting from Mayor Paul Foster are Diane Shimota, Adult Literacy Coordinator, and Don McCue, Director, A.K. Smiley Public Library with learner Crystal Moreno and her father, Sergio Moreno. Crystal is a learner who graduated from San Bernardino Valley College this past spring. She is attending Cal State San Bernardino (CSUSB) and plans to become a math teacher for special needs children.  WATCH

Redlands Library :: Read Adult Learners’ Stories In Upcoming Redlands Adult Literacy Program Anthology

Tutor Orientation

September 11

6:00 pm

Read Adult Learners’ Stories In Upcoming Redlands Adult Literacy Program Anthology

Redlands Daily Facts: 7.28.2018 by Diane Shimota, Adult Literacy Coor-A.K. Smiley Library

Adult learners seek help in their writing in order to fill out job applications, communicate with family members, help their children with homework or advance their own education. Because of the importance of writing, the Redlands Adult Literacy Program identified 2018 as the Year of the Writer.

At a recent writing workshop, adult learners in the Adult Literacy Program wrote letters of appreciation to the Redlands City Council and A.K. Smiley Public Library trustees about the impact of adult literacy in their lives. Following is an excerpt from one of the many letters.

Sonia Gutierrez wrote, “I originally came to the program to learn how to write better. The Adult Literacy Program is very important to me because it helps me learn English, improves my writing, and speech. I’ve learned a lot of new words. It also helps me with my job and I’ve been helping my family with their doctor’s appointments.”

Learner Mina Ryan finds herself texting with family members rather than calling them on the phone. She said, “Everybody communicates by writing now, so I need to be able to write better. It is never too late to learn, and now I feel more confident when I read or write. Thank you so much for this program.”

As part of the Year of the Writer initiative, tutors have learned strategies to ease writing anxieties, such as the use of dialogue journals in which tutors and learners write short messages to one another. They practiced steps in the writing process, from brainstorming ideas to editing final drafts, and they gained tips for helping learners generate topic ideas through picture books and story starters.  READ MORE >>

Tutor Orientation :: September 11 :: 6:00 pm

Redlands Library :: “Year of the Writer” Launched with Edison International Grant

“Year of the Writer” Launched with Edison International Grant

Redlands Reads: May 2018

Everyone has a story to share, but for many, writing is a challenge. To help adult learners reach their literacy goals, the Friends of the A K Smiley Public Library applied for and received a $5,000 grant from Edison International. The grant is funding two writing workshops to help adult learners and their tutors in new writing strategies, and updates to the computer class curriculum to include a new writing module.

Using their new writing skills, learners are encouraged to write their personal stories. The Redlands Adult Literacy Program will publish an anthology of the learners' works and share these works with the community. Writing is key to communicating with employers, teachers and family members, and can be a lasting legacy. Many thanks to Edison International for their continuing support!  READ MORE >>

Tutor Orientation :: September 11 :: 6:00 pm

Please call the Redlands Adult Literacy Program office

at 909.798.7565, ext. 4138

Redlands Library :: Adult Literacy Learners Gain Leadership Skills at ‘Boot Camp’ in Redlands

Adult literacy learners gain leadership skills at ‘boot camp’ in Redlands

Redlands Daily Facts: 5.12.2018 by Diane Shimota, Literacy Coord - A.K. Smiley Library

The Adult Learner Leadership Institute (ALLI) is a training program designed for adult learners and sponsored by the California Library Literacy Services, a division of the California State Library. ALLI gives advanced adult literacy learners the opportunity to improve their leadership skills.

This year the Southern California ALLI boot camp was hosted by the Redlands Adult Literacy Program at A.K. Smiley Public Library.

Five adult learners with the Redlands Adult Literacy Program have attended past ALLI boot camps. They have used their leadership skills in the Redlands community by speaking to the City Council, representing the adult literacy program at community events, sharing their experience with new tutors and encouraging new adult learners to improve their reading and writing. ALLI graduates in the Redlands Adult Literacy Program serve as leaders in the community and at the library.

Nineteen adult learners, including five from the Redlands Adult Literacy Program, attended this year’s ALLI boot camp. The program included sessions led by ALLI graduates, including four adult learners from the Redlands Adult Literacy Program.

Session topics included leadership, self-esteem, advocacy, networking, goal setting and public speaking. The attendees had many opportunities to work in teams and to express their thoughts and ideas. Each attendee drafted, edited, practiced and presented a speech about literacy or leadership. For most, it was their first experience speaking in front of a group.

One ALLI facilitator, Ana Alcantar from the Redlands Adult Literacy Program, said she was amazed at how much the attendees had learned over the weekend. She was impressed by their speeches and enthusiasm for helping adult literacy programs in their communities.  READ MORE >>

Redlands Library :: $5,000 Grant Helps Redlands Adult Literacy Program Focus on Writing Skills

A.K. Smiley Public Library

$5,000 grant helps Redlands Adult Literacy Program focus on writing skills

Redlands Daily Facts: 3.10.2018 by Diane Shimota, Adult Literacy Coor-AK Smiley Library

Many adults in the Redlands Adult Literacy Program ask for help with their writing as well as with their reading. They have found that writing is essential in communicating with their children’s teachers or applying for a job.

When adults lack writing skills, they face many obstacles. For example, some adult learners have reported that they have difficulty when filling out job applications or medical forms because of their limited writing skills.

The Friends of A.K. Smiley Public Library recently received a grant of $5,000 from Edison International that the Redlands Adult Literacy Program will use to further enhance writing strategies used by tutors and learners. The grant will fund two writing workshops for tutors and adult learners, support the publication of an anthology of works by adult learners and their tutors and provide vital technology services to adult learners in the community.

The writing workshops have been developed in response to tutors observing that the learners demonstrated improved reading comprehension, but they struggled to reach their writing goals. Learners require writing strategies that are engaging, relevant and respectful to help overcome anxieties or learning disabilities. Many tutors had requested additional training in how to model, teach and guide adult learners of varying abilities and backgrounds through the writing process.

For this reason, Redlands Adult Literacy Program dubbed 2018 “The Year of the Writer” and is focusing its efforts to develop new strategies and tools to promote better writing for adult learners.  READ MORE >>

Adult Literacy Tutor Orientation :: April 24 @ 6 pm

Redlands Library :: Learners in Redlands Adult Literacy Program use their skills to help the community

Learners in Redlands Adult Literacy Program use their skills to help the community

Redlands Daily Facts: 1.13.2018 by Diane Shimota, Adult Literacy Coordinator-A.K. Smiley Library

Learners who participate in the Redlands Adult Literacy Program gain reading and writing skills that change their lives. The changes in their individual lives create a ripple effect felt throughout the community of Redlands.

Tutors witness the impact when learners are able to use their literacy skills to apply for jobs, learn about current events, help their children with homework or volunteer in the community. The ability to read is a foundation for success in today’s society and literacy’s benefits flow through families, the workplace and the community. Two stories illustrate these bbenefits [sic] of adult literacy.

Maria Moreno learned about the literacy program from a friend. She appeared one day at the door of the adult literacy program at Lugonia Elementary School and asked for help. Since that time she has read multiple books, written journal messages to her granddaughters and invited friends and family to join the adult literacy program.

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Lucila Campa wanted to improve her reading and writing so that she could be a better advocate for her young daughters. As part of her effort to improve her literacy, Campa obtained her citizenship, participated in the Writer-to-Writer Challenge, attended the Adult Learner Leadership Institute workshop and spoke to the Redlands City Council in support of the adult literacy program.  READ MORE >>

Jan 29 Adult Literacy Tutor Orientation 6p

Redlands Library :: Reading is a Challenge – Adult Learner Poem

Reading is a Challenge – Adult Learner Poem

Redlands Reads: November 2017

Reading is a Challenge

Poet Tim Allen

Black black

Reading is hard

When it is easy for others

They think it is easy for you.

Blue blue

Reading is like blue skies are opening

A new world is opening when you read

Red red

TV will rot your brain

Too much TV and you get lazy.

Black black

Reading is hard

When it is easy for others

They think it is easy for you.

To learn more, join us at the next Tutor Orientation, on January 29, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at the A. K. Smiley Public Library Assembly Room. Please call the Redlands Adult Literacy Program office at 909.798.7565, ext. 4138

Redlands Library :: Why is the Redlands Adult Literacy Program Important?

Why is the Redlands Adult Literacy Program Important?

Here’s What Some Donors Say

Redlands Daily Facts: 11.11.2017 by Diane Shimota, Adult Literacy Coordinator-A.K. Smiley Library

As we enter into this season of Thanksgiving, those involved with the Redlands Adult Literacy Program wish to express their gratitude to the Redlands community, which supports the program’s mission to help adults improve their reading and writing.

We contacted donors, some of whom also volunteer as tutors, to hear the reasons they thought adult literacy was a core service of the A.K. Smiley Public Library and how it benefited the community. We would like to share some of their responses, as they reflect the importance of adult literacy.

Redlands Mayor Pro Tem Paul Barich said he supports the adult literacy program because he believes “a city that has people who can read is a city that is prepared to make better decisions.”

Robert Dawes, the city’s treasurer, said, “In an age of greed and selfishness, the A.K Smiley Public Library’s adult literacy program stands as an enduring monument to the values of cooperation and sharing. Volunteers with nothing to gain but the satisfaction of helping people in need demonstrate astonishing selfless service. That’s why I donate to the adult literacy program.

“We are so lucky to live in Redlands and have both a great library and an adult literacy program that helps open the doors of the library to every citizen,” Dawes said. “The library is Albert Smiley’s gift to our town, and the adult literacy program is a way for Redlands citizens to prove ourselves worthy of Albert’s gift.”

Kate Pretorius, A.K. Smiley Public Library trustee, said, “We all need help from others at different times in our lives. The potential learners … are people who are taking the initiative in improving their lives and I want to encourage that in any way that I can.  READ MORE >>

To learn more, join us at the next Tutor Orientation, on January 29, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at the A. K. Smiley Public Library Assembly Room. Please call the Redlands Adult Literacy Program office at 909.798.7565, ext. 4138