Santa Barbara Library - Montecito Literacy Program Volunteers

Montecito Literacy Program VolunteersMontecito Journal: August 30, 2007
Our Town By Joanne A. Calitri

As a core educational foundation, reading is an assumed skill, but there are some adults who’ve never mastered the skill. Help has been available for over 20 years in the form of the Adult Literacy Program run by the Santa Barbara County Library. Literacy Program Volunteers have been helping countless people from every developmental level and age range, to learn to read, and read well. The program is currently headed by Beverly Schwartzberg, the Adult Literacy Coordinator.

Bev and five of her fourteen Montecito literacy volunteers met with us recently to discuss the program. Those volunteers were 13-year veteran Joy Winer, 6-year volunteer Nancy Simon, 2-year volunteer Kristy McLoughlin and newbies Ethel Scar and Bonnie R. Corman, PhD. Unable to make the meeting were Jolene DeLisa, Elaine Heavner, Sherry Melchiorre, Gail Harling. The other five volunteers wished to remain anonymous.

Anyone wishing to become a tutor must first enroll in a nine-hour training course and make a six-month commitment to be a tutor in the program. The literacy program is free for students, and each student receives one-on-one tutoring. This aspect of the program was unanimously lauded as the key ingredient for the success of the tutoring, and the key factor that appealed to our Montecito literacy volunteers.

“One-on-one tutoring is personal… it creates a friendship…” said Joy, who had worked for many years in a corporate environment. She stated that the one-on-one focus is important, as for most students, learning in a classroom full of students is difficult.

Ethel is a first generation American. Her parents had to learn English and her grandparents never did, which made communication difficult. Being a literacy volunteer allows her to teach others how to read.

Kristy had been a school psychologist in the Santa Barbara school district for 20 years. Her focus as a tutor is to help parents, so they in turn can help their children with homework and other school related areas. For Beverly, this was the first volunteer job she had taken right out of college, as she could not imagine life without reading.

If you would like to become a tutor, the next tutor training course is Wednesday and Thursday, August 29 and 30, at the Central Library, 40 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, CA.

"Stand Up and Spell!", the program’s second annual Scrabble Challenge, will be held Friday September 28, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Faulkner Gallery, Santa Barbara Public Library, 40 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara.

For more information, contact Beverly Schwartzberg - Phone: (805) 564-5619 or: bschwartzberg@santabarbaraca.gov

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.

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.

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

www.sdcl.org.

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.”

San Bernardino County Library - Teaching adults survival literacy returns

Teaching adults survival literacy returnsThe Sun: July 27, 2006 by Andrea Bennett

The revitalization of a program that helps area adults learn to read and which lost the wind in its sails for almost a year, rests in the youthful but capable hands of Cesar Lara, 24.

As the new literacy specialist at the Highland Branch Library, Lara appears to be just the right man for the job.

"I recruit adult learners who don't know how to read or write and I recruit tutors, and I match them up and they just kind of work on their own," Lara said.

The library's Adult Literacy Program faced a period of relative dormancy in September 2005, when then-literacy specialist Pat Purcio fell ill but retained the position until March.

Elizabeth Castillo, library assistant at the Highland Branch, said the program, and the many people it helped, suffered as a result.

"It stopped everything because the tutors we had didn't know where to go or what to do. There was no one to guide them," Castillo said. "Also there were people asking for tutors and we didn't have any."

Lara had been working as a library page for a year and a half when he was promoted to his current position, and already he has had an impact.

"I've got a handful of tutors and learners now," Lara said. "There are actually more learners than tutors, because a lot of people out there are illiterate. But hopefully -- little by little -- I can bring the program back to what it was."

His objective is to find at least 20 people in the community, with both a high school education and a desire to help others, who can volunteer at least once a week as a tutor.

Though Lara promotes the free tutoring through word-of- mouth, he said there is no real shortage of adult learners in the community.

"Actually a lot of people come in and ask for tutors, so the word gets out there," Lara said. "A lot of times, they come in here to learn the little things first. They want to set up an e-mail account or they want to be able to write checks."

Harriet Foucher, Highland Branch librarian, said illiteracy is a rampant reality in the community and the program works to amend the social epidemic.

"The statistics keep showing us that 1 in 5 people need help reading," Foucher said. "They can't read things like prescriptions, they lack survival literacy, and these people fall through the cracks. They don't do well with group education situations, so we do one-on-one tutoring, where the tutor and new reader set goals together and work to achieve those goals."

Foucher said there are multiple things that push adults to finally seek literacy.

"Some need a GED for a job, or a driver's license. Many parents need it when their children start school. I think some want to read the Bible," she said. "There is a segment of the population that wants to be able to read. With the changes in welfare, they have to get some kind of job, and reading is so important to every job you do."

It's Lara's job to find an appropriate tutor to match with the individual and assist him or her in reaching set goals.

Due to the shortage of volunteer tutors, however, a surplus of adult learners -- Spanish speaking, or not -- who want to learn to read and write are forced to sit on a waiting list, he said.

The act of seeking help itself can be daunting for people who cannot read, so Lara said he does his best to ease their fears.

"It's difficult for some people because they're so intimidated when they come in," he said. "But the first step is to get in here and ask for help, and I've just got to reassure them they are going to get help."

His easygoing and nonjudgmental attitude makes Lara approachable to learners and the fact that he is bilingual helps calm nervous English learners.

As one who relishes reading and has devoted the past four years to libraries, Lara serves as a prime example of the joys of literacy.

"I like to read nonfiction. I figure if it's not true, why bother?" said Lara, whose favorite book is "The Motorcycle Diaries" and current read is "The Valachi Papers." "I love to read and I love the people who come in and out of the library. They have the same interests as I do -- reading and learning."

At only 24, Lara has already done some serious life learning after getting married at age 20. He and his wife, Virginia, 24, met their first semester at San Bernardino Valley College, and as Lara said, "It just felt right."

"When you're young and in love, you don't know any better," Lara said. "It's hard when you marry young, and you're still in school, with a part-time job, and struggling with money. We matured a lot and learned a lot about each other during that time."

Presently, Lara and his wife live in San Bernardino with their white Pomeranian, Q-Tip. Lara also works part-time as a bilingual tutor for Yucaipa School District, while Virginia works as a special education tutor for Pacific High School.

Lara returned to Valley College last fall, as waiting until his wife graduated from Cal State San Bernardino, was more financially feasible for the young couple. He said he plans to teach elementary school in the future, but the library will still likely be part of his life.

"I want to be here as long as possible, especially next year when we move to the new library," Lara said. "Hopefully, I can start English improvement classes there. Also, we'll have a literacy lab there."

The Adult Literacy Program is up and running under Lara, but there is still much to do in order to meet the literacy needs of the community effectively.

"We have a lot of low-income people in the area who want to improve their lives, but they don't have the time or money to go to college, especially when they have 3 jobs, but they want something better," Castillo said. "I think this program will help them a lot."

Lara is acutely aware of the struggle for self-improvement, and the library staff say his patience, passion and personable nature are certain to breathe new life into a program that makes a real difference in the lives of those in the community.

"Over the 21 years I've been here, I have seen a number of people get that little boost with tutoring to go on and do better things with their lives," Foucher said. "You have to overcome the attitude, 'I can't do it.' In a way, we're just being cheerleaders and encouraging people to use the skills they already have."

For more information about the Adult Literacy Program, contact Cesar Lara, literacy specialist, at the Highland Branch Library at (909) 862-6469 or visit 27167 Base Line in Highland.

Tutor Training - August 2007

Southern California Library Literacy Network
Tutor Workshops: August 2007
Tutor Training - San Diego County Library - Aug 9
Tutor Workshops and Events Presenter: LEARN. Ticket Phone: (888)466-0668. Contact: San Diego County Library. Wednesday, August 8, 2007, 5:30 PM – Thursday, August 9, 2007, 8:00 PM. El Cajon Branch El Cajon CA. For more info visitwww.sdcl.org.

Wilson Reading System - READ/Orange County - Aug 11
Tutor Workshops and Events Learn about the Wilson System. Presenter: READ/Orange County. Ticket Phone: (714)566-3067. Contact: READ/Orange County. Saturday, August 11, 2007, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. READ/OC Headquarters 1501 E St Andrew Pl Santa Ana CA 92705. For more info visitwww.readoc.org.

Tutor Training - READ/San Diego - Aug 14
Tutor Workshops and Events 1st Session: also Aug 18 and 25. 619 . 527 . 5475. Presenter: READ/San Diego. Ticket Phone: (619)527-5475. Contact: READ/San Diego. Tuesday, August 14, 2007, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Linda Vista Branch Library 2160 Ulric St San Diego CA 92111. For more info visitwww.sandiego.gov.
Wilson Reading System - READ/Orange County - Aug 18
Tutor Workshops and Events Learn about the Wilson System. Presenter: READ/Orange County. Ticket Phone: (714)566-3067. Contact: READ/Orange County. Saturday, August 18, 2007, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. READ/OC Headquarters 1501 E St Andrew Pl Santa Ana CA 92705. For more info visitwww.readoc.org.
Tutor Training - Los Angeles Public Library - Aug 18
Tutor Workshops and Events All Volunteers must be Interviewed First ! Contact: 213 . 228 . 7037. Presenter: Los Angeles Public Library. Ticket Phone: (213)228.7037. Contact: Los Angeles Public Library. Saturday, August 18, 2007, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Baldwin Hills Branch 2906 S La Brea Ave LA CA 90016. For more info visitwww.lapl.org.
Tutor Training - San Diego County Library - Aug 18
Tutor Workshops and Events Presenter: LEARN. Ticket Phone: (888)466-0668. Contact: San Diego County Library. Saturday, August 18, 2007, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Vista Branch Vista CA. For more info visit
www.sdcl.org.
Tutor Training - Burbank Public Library - Aug 22
Tutor Workshops and Events Register for the first session of a 15-hour workshop: also Aug 25 and Sep 8. Help an adult improve reading, spelling and writing skills. Learn how to use Discover Intensive Phonics. 818 . 238 . 5577. Presenter: Burbank Public Library. Ticket Phone: (818)238-5577. Contact: Literacy Office. Wednesday, August 22, 2007, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Burbank Public Library Auditorium 110 N Glenoaks Burbank CA 91502. For more info visitwww.burbanklibrary.com.

Tutor Training - Santa Barbara Public Library: Aug 29
Tutor Workshops and Events Also Aug 30: Noon to 4:30 pm. Presenter: Santa Barbara Public Library. Ticket Phone: (805)564-5619. Contact: bschwartzberg@santabarbaraca.gov. Wednesday, August 29, 2007, 12:00 PM – 4:30 PM. Santa Barbara Public Library Townley Room 40 E Anapamu Santa Barbara CA. For more info visit
www.sbplibrary.org.