San Luis Obispo Library - Mincing Words Exhibit - September

'Mincing Words': Exhibit in San Luis Obispo
The works on display at Linnaea’s Cafe in SLO this month incorporate and honor the written word
Tribune: 8.11.2011 by Lee Sutter

The exhibit at Linnaea’s that combines art with text is nothing new, as Picasso and cohorts explored such methods during their Synthetic Cubism period 100 years ago.

It’s an intriguing concept, however, and a refreshing change. It also ties in with National Literacy Month and the Art of the Book exhibits at local libraries.

Ursula Black’s disturbing painting includes a poem she wrote “All the rest of us took text from someone else,” said Lena Rushing, show organizer.

Although the Dadaist European artistic and literary movement of the early 20th Century used text, its intent was to mock conventional art. That is not this exhibit’s thrust. Rather this exhibit intends to honor the written word, whether it’s literature, lyrics, poetry, or famous quotes.

“Even if you’re not somebody who reads a lot, you’re probably moved by lyrics, or recall a book from childhood,” said Rushing.

Among her many entries are two paintings based on Lewis Carroll’s nonsense poem “Jabberwocky.” Rushing’s mother had once painted the imaginary figure from “Through the Looking Glass” on an apartment wall, and later a photo of that work appeared in Rushing’s various childhood homes. Her brother even got a tattoo of the monster. READ MORE !

San Luis Obispo City-County Library - Fµ¥å¬ µniº ø't†ß - Can't read that? Now you know how it feels.

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Can't read that? Now you know how it feels.
New Times: March 30, 2010 by Glen Starkey

If you’re reading this right now, count yourself lucky: You’re not among the estimated 21 to 23 percent of American adults who are either wholly illiterate, functionally illiterate (those who might be able to understand a couple thousand words memorized by sight in grade school but who are unable to understand such basic written instructions as warning labels or driving directions), or have substandard reading skills that negatively affect their earnings.

Studies suggest that among these semi-literate 40- to 44-million American adults, even those who possess some reading skills may lack the ability to locate information in text or make low-level inferences from printed materials.

As a reader, you might think, “Oh, well. That’s their problem, not mine,” but American illiteracy affects us all. A literate workforce is a productive workforce, and semi-literate workers earn far below their literate counterparts, meaning they don’t contribute effectively to our economy.

Furthermore, Americans with reading deficiencies are more likely to require such social services as welfare, food stamps, and Section 8 subsidized housing. They’re more likely to be unable to afford health insurance. They don’t have the means to further their education to improve their condition. In other words, not only are they a drag on the economy, tax dollars may subsidize their needs. Luckily, there’s an organization that does something about this problem.

The Literacy Council of SLO County estimates there are as many as 25,000 functionally illiterate adults in the county. While many of the Literacy Council’s clients are English as a Second Language (ESL) learners, some are native speakers who simply never learned to read and write. For many of them, the hardest step to improving their reading and writing skills is admitting they have a problem and seeking help. READ MORE !

Adult Literacy Awareness Month - READ/San Diego - San Luis Obispo Library

Adult Literacy Awareness Month

September Spotlight

on SCLLN Literacy Programs

READ/San Diego

In San Diego County, approximately 422,000 adults cannot read and write well enough to meet everyday needs and pursue professional goals. The Library's READ/San Diego program is a free literacy, English as a Second Language and family literacy instruction service for adults 18 years and older. Staffed by literacy professionals, READ/San Diego coordinates the efforts of volunteer reading tutors and cooperates with local adult schools, community colleges and other literacy education providers in making and receiving student referrals. Each year, the program assists more than 1,000 adult students from various backgrounds and learning levels.

In 2006, READ/San Diego was honored with the Advancement of Literacy Award from the American Library Association. The national award honors a publisher, bookseller, hardware and/or software dealer, foundation or similar group that has made a significant contribution to the advancement of adult literacy. Read the full press release (PDF:22K).

In 2004, READ/San Diego was named one of the top community partnerships in the nation by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Vocational and Adult Education. Read the full press release (PDF:117K).

San Luis Obispo Library

The San Luis Obispo County Literacy Council is a nonprofit organization committed to assisting adult learners and their families in the development of English language communication skills by:

Recruiting and preparing volunteers as tutors in the delivery of quality instruction using a variety of approaches. Providing individual and group instruction to learners in reading, writing, speaking and basic number skills, thereby furthering the ability of learners to function well in the community. Promoting individual awareness and involvement in the literacy process.

San Luis Obispo Library - Speaking A Language of Caring

SPEAKING A LANGUAGE OF CARING

Unsung Heroes a Tribune Special SeriesMarita Gifford Teaches English to Her Fellow Employees in the Paso Robles Inn Laundry Room
Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA): December 23, 2007

You won't find any of the usual schoolroom items -- computers, desks, bookshelves -- in Marita Gifford's classroom.

But make no mistake, she's transformed the laundry room at the Paso Robles Inn into a center for learning.

Gifford, 72, is executive housekeeper at the Paso Robles Inn, but her second title is teacher.

Just six months after starting her job at the inn a few years ago, she organized a program to teach English language skills to Spanish-speaking staff members.

. . . . . . .

Eager to help her students even more, Gifford went through a tutoring program for volunteers offered by the San Luis Obispo Literacy Council. The literacy council provided training and materials that helped her broaden the classes. READ ON