Wednesday, August 29, 2007

San Bernardino Co Library - Volunteer of the month makes a difference

Volunteer of the month makes a difference
Dailybulletin.com: Aug 23, 2007

Janet Wirtz was named Chino Hills volunteer of the month for August.

Question: Why did you start volunteering in Chino Hills?
Answer: I have been volunteering whereever I've lived since I was about 21 years old. So it wasn't if I was going to volunteer, but what I was going to do. I believe in making other peoples' lives easier. One of the ways I can do this is by volunteering.

Q: What programs have you volunteered with? What kind of work do you do with those programs?
A: Helped coordinate events at a museum in St. Paul, Minn.; ushered at a theater in Phoenix; Helped out with the Boy Scouts by picking up their awards and badges; delivered bread to Hillview Acres through St. Vincent de Paul; worked at a food pantry and helped fill food boxes for needy families during Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons; taught a religion class; ushered and typed up usher schedule for a local church; taught a student English, through the Library Literacy Program; mentored an inmate at California Institution for Women through Match 2; delivered meals to inbound residents through Caring for the Hills; helped out at my son's schools; scrapbooked for the Inland Hills Church "Prayer Quilt Program"; and processed utility bills for the city of Chino Hills.

Q: You mentored an inmate at California Institution for Women. What was that experience like?
A: It was very educational. I hope I was able to make a difference in someone else's life.

Q: What were you honored for at the Chino Hills City Council meeting?
A: I was selected as the city's Highlighted Volunteer for August 2007. Since March 2007, I have been assisting in the finance department, opening water bills every Monday and Tuesday.

Q: What has been your most memorable experience as a volunteer?
A: The latest is being honored by the city for my time. But all of my experiences are great because I enjoy meeting the nicest people and feeling more connected to my community.

Q: What kind of work did you do before you became a volunteer?
A: My last paying job, for 10 years, was as an Intelligence Research Specialist for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, in Washington, D.C., and Phoenix.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Newport Beach Library - Library to celebrate International Literacy Day

Library to celebrate International Literacy DayDaily Pilot: Aug 27, 2007: by Joseph Serna

Newport Beach Public Library Literacy Services will be celebrating International Literacy Day on Thursday, Sept. 6.

The day’s program will focus on the importance of literacy outreach in the community and will recognize the contributions of the many volunteers and tutors that work in the local literacy program, as well as the learners who work hard to acquire new skills.

This year’s theme, “Unlock the Potential,” is fitting because the program will honor Rochelle Hoffman award recipient Donnie Madril, a truck driver who needed help with spelling and reading in order to complete the forms and reports necessary for work.

Two local finalists in the California Library Literacy Services “Writer to Writer” challenge will also be recognized.

The program will be from 10 a.m. to noon in the Friends Meeting Room at the Central Library, 1000 Avocado Ave. in Newport Beach.

Friday, August 24, 2007

Tutor Training - September 2007

Southern California Library Literacy Network
Tutor Workshops: September 2007

Newport Beach Public Library: Sep 6
Contact: Literacy Office. Thursday, September 6, 2007, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Newport Beach Public Library 1000 Avacado Newport Beach CA 92660. For more info visit
www.newportliteracy.org

READ/Orange County: Sep 11
Must attend Tutor Information Meeting to register for September workshops. Presenter: READ/Orange County. Ticket Phone: (714)566-3067. Contact: READ/Orange County. Tuesday, September 11, 2007, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Westminster Library 8180 13th Westminster CA. For more info visit
www.readoc.org.

San Diego County Library: Sep 12
Presenter: LEARN. Ticket Phone: (888)466-0668. Contact: San Diego County Library. Wednesday, September 12, 2007, 5:30 PM – Thursday, September 13, 2007, 8:00 PM. El Cajon Branch El Cajon CA. For more info visit
www.sdcl.org.

READ/Orange County: Sep 12
Must attend Tutor Information Meeting to register for September workshops. Presenter: READ/Orange County. Ticket Phone: (714)566-3067. Contact: READ/Orange County. Wednesday, September 12, 2007, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Costa Mesa Library 1855 Park Ave Costa Mesa CA. For more info visit
www.readoc.org.

Oceanside Public Library – Youth Literacy: Sep 12
Orientation Training - Sep 15: 9 am - 1:30 pm 760 . 435 . 5680. Presenter: Oceanside Public Library. Ticket Phone: (760)435-5680. Contact: Oceanside READS. Wednesday, September 12, 2007, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM. Mission Branch Library 3861 Mission Ave Oceanside CA. For more info visit
www.library.ci.oceanside.ca.us.

Glendora Public Library – Dyslexia Workshop: Sep 15
FREE No registration required Anyone is welcome to attend. Presenter: Glendora Public Library. Ticket Phone: 626.852.4891. Contact: Mary Pat Dodson. Saturday, September 15, 2007, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Glendora Public Library Bidwell Forum 140 S Glendora Glendora CA 91741. For more info visit
www.glendoralibrary.org

Los Angeles Public Library: Sep 15
All Volunteers must be Interviewed First ! Contact: 213 . 228 . 7037. Presenter: Los Angeles Public Library. Ticket Phone: (213)228-7037. Contact: Literacy Office. Saturday, September 15, 2007, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Mid-Valley Regional Branch 16244 Nordhoff St North Hills CA 91343. For more info visit
www.lapl.org.

San Diego County Library: Sep 15
Presenter: LEARN. Ticket Phone: (888)466-0668. Contact: San Diego County Library. Saturday, September 15, 2007, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. 4S Ranch Branch San Diego CA. For more info visit
www.sdcl.org.

Pasadena Public Library: Sep 18
Orientation: Must Attend Also Workshops on: Sep 19, 25 and 27. Presenter: Pasadena READS. Contact: rjaquez@cityofpasadena.net. Tuesday, September 18, 2007, 6:30 PM – 11:30 PM. La Pintoresca Branch 1355 N Raymond Pasadena CA 91103. For more info visit
www.ci.pasadena.ca.us.

San Diego County Library: Sep 29
Presenter: LEARN. Ticket Phone: (888)466-0668. Contact: San Diego County Library. Saturday, September 29, 2007, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Ramona Branch San Diego CA. For more info visit

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

National City Library - Book lover retires after 26 years as city librarian

Book lover retires after 26 years as city librarian
San Diego Union-Tribune: July 6, 07: by Tanya Sierra

Anne Campbell always knew she wanted to be a librarian. Her passion for books started as a young girl, when she would lock herself in her bedroom and journey into the worlds depicted on the pages she read.

The addiction was so strong that her mother restricted the number of books she could check out from the city library to five per week. “I would stay up until 3 or 4 in the morning reading,” she said. “In seventh grade I wrote a letter to the American Library Association and asked, 'How do I become a librarian?' ”

Campbell, National City's head librarian, retired this week after 26 years of forging a relationship with the city's readers.

The 59-year-old, who grew up in Denver, didn't deviate from the path the library association outlined for her in its response. Even during her teen years, when rebellion can sometimes set in, Campbell never strayed far from the library.

“The library was where I was meant to be,” Campbell said.

Just as Campbell knew her career path, she knew National City needed a strong library program for its many students and illiterate adults.

In the working-class city, 36 percent of the population – the highest rate in the county – is illiterate and more than 40 percent didn't finish high school.

Campbell arrived at the National City Public Library in 1981.

“You could have rolled a bowling ball in the library because no one came in,” she said. “They were running the library like it was the 1960s.”

Although National City has always been diverse, a large immigrant population began settling in the city during the '70s and early '80s, Campbell said. Many families weren't aware the library was a place where they could check out books for free or get literacy services.

She began with an adult reading program, which expanded to a family program. Soon a Words on Wheels mobile library service was sent into neighborhoods to entice children to read.

“If you raise the literacy rate of a community, then you raise the socioeconomic status of the community,” Campbell said.

Perhaps her biggest feat was getting overwhelming community support for a bond in 2002 for a new, $17 million library.

At the time, city officials applied for a state grant, but first needed local funding in place. They had to move fast to get a $6 million bond measure on the ballot for March 2002, three months before the state application was due.

In an extremely competitive process, National City was the only city in the county to win a library grant in the first selection round. The grant provided $11.1 million. Private donations added $1.3 million.

The 50,000-square-foot library opened in August 2005. It's so popular that a line of people is often waiting at the door when it opens.

Running a busy library takes work, and Campbell is a serious woman with high expectations – sometimes too high, say those who have worked with her.

Some union employees felt uncomfortable because they were asked to work community events off the clock, and felt Campbell didn't support their union activities, said James Slade, the Municipal Employees Union president.

“I just know she was a difficult person to work with and our municipal employees always had an issue,” he said, adding that the union has filed a grievance against her.

When asked about Slade's comments, Campbell said she didn't know of any conflicts.

Councilman Luis Natividad, who credits Campbell with running a top-notch city library, said he would have liked a closer City Hall-library relationship.

“There was a distance between the library and the City Council,” he said, adding, “She's very passionate about the library.”

Campbell admits to giving her all to the library, even tearing up when she described what it means to the community.

“It's free, it's open, it nourishes the mind but also the soul,” she said.

Campbell, who is also a National School District trustee, plans to continue her elected work, volunteer at the library and spend time with family during the next phase of her life. She is married and has a grown son.

“Retirement looks fabulous,” she said. “I worked really hard.”