Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Huntington Beach Library - founded by Linda D. Light in 1984

Literacy Volunteers - HBPL

was founded by Linda D. Light in 1984. This group of outstanding people is the volunteer arm of the Huntington Beach Library Adult Literacy Program. The library staff trains volunteers to tutor adults in reading and writing: helping adults become citizens, get jobs and read to their children.


Watch Huntington Beach's video:
Literacy_Program-How_it_Works.avi

Monday, December 3, 2007

SCLLN Tutor Workshop Calendar - December 2007

Southern California Library Literacy Network
Event Calendar: December 2007
- visit SCLLN for more events -

Dec 4: Tutor Training - Newport Beach Public LibraryAlso: Dec 6, 11 and 13 949 . 717 . 3875. Ticket Phone: 949.717.3875. Tuesday, December 4, 2007, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Central Library 1000 Avocado Ave. Newport Beach, CA 92660. For more info visit
Newport Beach PL Literacy

Dec 15: Tutor Training - Escondido Public LibraryVolunteer - Help an adult improve reading and writing skills. 760 . 747 . 2233. Presenter: Escondido PL Literacy Services. Ticket Phone: 760.747.2233. Saturday, December 15, 2007, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM. For more info visit
Escondido Public Library 

Dec 15: Tutor Training - Los Angeles Public Library
All Volunteers must be Interviewed First ! Contact: 213 . 228 . 7037. Ticket Phone: (213)228-7037. Contact: Literacy Office. Saturday, December 15, 2007, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Lincoln Heights Branch 2530 Workman St LA CA 90031. For more info visit
LAPL Literacy
Literacy program helps adults

Dec 2, 07: by Rachel Byrd

APPLE VALLEY — Alejandrina Roldan has been in the United States for 10 years, but it has taken years for her to gain the confidence to speak English.

Roldan, 31, born in Mexico, has been participating in the Hi-D.A.R.E. literacy program through the Apple Valley Newton T. Bass Branch Library for the past three years. With the help of tutor Margaret Goldman, Roldan has improved her reading and writing skills, and she recently was one of three winners in a statewide literacy contest.

Contestants read Ernest Hemingway’s “Old Man and the Sea” and wrote a letter to Hemingway. Roldan received $150, a plaque and a journal for her submission.

“I’m more confident, especially with Margaret telling me that I just had to talk,” Roldan said. “I was extremely shy. The hardest thing has always been speaking.”

Hi-D.A.R.E. offers free one-on-one tutoring for adults in the Victor Valley. The program has been around since the mid-1980s, and right now there are 60 tutors and 75 learners, said Larry Weisz, literacy specialist for the Apple Valley Library.

Tutors help adults with reading, writing, math, basic computer skills, and to prepare for the GED, Weisz said. Most learners are English-speaking, and perform at a third- or fourth-grade level.

“Many people come in here in tears,” Weisz said.

Roldan has taken classes at Victor Valley College, but when her third child was born three years ago, she was too busy to enroll. She continued to study English on her own at home, until she visited the library and learned about the tutoring program.

Goldman told Roldan that she could bring her daughter with her to their sessions. The two have been meeting about twice a week for the past three years, and Roldan now plans on enrolling at VVC full-time for the Spring semester.

In her spare time, Roldan said that she likes to read and write poetry and short stories in English.

Roldan wants to be a teacher some day, to help others who are struggling as she has with the English language, and she is interested in tutoring for the GED. Roldan said that when she is ready, she would like to volunteer as a tutor in the Hi-D.A.R.E. program

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Escondido Library - New literacy labs will be focus of library open house

New literacy labs will be focus of library open house
North County Times: Nov 27, 2007

ESCONDIDO -- The Escondido Public Library's East Valley Branch will hold a holiday open house from 2:30 to 6 p.m. Nov. 29 to launch its new Literacy Services program and announce the development of three literacy labs.

The focus of the labs is to encourage adults and families to work independently on literacy-focused activities, provide links to community services and expand knowledge of library resources. The adult lab is equipped with a laptop computer and software programs that allow learners to work on keyboarding, language and reading skills. Early literacy and school readiness are the focus of the two children's labs, which also provide worksheets and activities for families to work on at home.

The event also is supported by Altrusa International of Escondido members, who will provide light refreshments and free books for children who attend the open house.

The East Valley Branch Library is in the East Valley Community Center at 2245 E. Valley Parkway. Information: Robin Wright Parker, (760) 839-4272