Downey Library - Library Visit: Nessas Blog

LIBRARY VISIT
Nessas Blog: June 20, 2008

Downey City Library
11121 Brookshire Ave.
Downey, CA 90241

At first sight, The Downey City Library may seem like an unfunded and unused resource for the City’s residents, or at the least some sort of mecca for the local High School youth. Located across from Downey High School, and sandwiched in the parking lot between City Hall and Performing Arts Center, the one-story building is quite a gem inside.

Upon entrance of the sliding front doors is a small collection of Karen and Richard Carpenters’ memorabilia. I knew the famous two were from the City of Downey, but didn’t realize they were involved so much in their community. The small tribute to them was nice to see.

Across from the display is the impressive Circulation Desk. Impressive I guess in its rounded counter top and staffed with friendly and helpful personnel.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

A couple things that may go unnoticed are the quaint Friends of the Library bookstore and the Literacy Office/literacy programs. The bookstore sells both new and used books, magazines, videos, nick-knacks, and a good selection of reasonably priced greeting cards. The store’s contributions go to help fund certain library equipment and programs. The literacy office is used for adult literacy and is run by a full-time staff member that coordinates literacy volunteers to help promote reading for adults. READ MORE

Early Learning with Families (ELF) - Webcast

Webcast - Supporting Parents & Caregivers to Enhance Early Learning

June 24: Noon - 1:00 pm

Join Cindy Oser and Leticia Lara from Zero to Three, as they share their insight and expertise about working with parents, and building relationships to enhance early learning. They will present the rationale for engaging parents, provide practical approaches that can be used in library programs and respond to issues that librarians face who serve families with young children.

Webcast Link

Revisit a special presentation on Early Learning with Families-ELF by Barbara Neder, READ/OC from the SCLLN General Meeting, 5.15.08.

PDD @ SCLLN: Blogs and Wikis

Southern California Library Literacy Network

Professional Development Day

San Diego CA

June 13, 2008

This posting is about the 'Wacky for Wikis' session which was also presented @ the READ/San Diego Tutor Conference, June 14. There were also sessions about: Volunteer Management, Persistence and Adult Learner Book Clubs.

Wacky for Wikis is an overview of blogs and wikis: brief look at the where and how they began, reasons to have a one or both, how to, and a brief demo on how easy it is to post, to link, to upload photos, etc.

Viewed 2 videos about Blogs:

~ Why Blog by Business Week

~ Blogs in Plain English by Commoncraft

Blogging as Revolutionary as Gutenberg Press by Chris CreeMarch 7, 2008
When Johannes Gutenberg developed his movable type printing press in the early 1400’s it revolutionized the publishing industry in many of the same ways that the recent development of blogging is.
. . . . .
Here are just a few of the ways that the movable type printing press was revolutionary.

Faster
Cheaper
Wider Distribution
Mass Communication

The internet is transforming how information is being transmitted. However publishing that information to the web still required Today’s blogging is an order of magnitude leap in publishing technology on the same level as Gutenberg’s press was over the scribes of his day. READ MORE

Also looked at some examples:
~ see SCLLN Tutor Conference-Feb 22 post.

Watched Commoncraft's video on wikis and Wetpaint's 'How Do Wikis Work.'

Where and how to compare wiki platforms @ Wikimatrix: Select the Wikis you want to compare, then press the button.

Some other blogs and wikis mentioned during the sessions:
~ Burbank Public Library blog
~ literacyspace blog
~ DLC Adult Literacy Community
~ Families for Literacy at SF Bay Area Libraries
~ Exemplary Literacy Materials Online (ELMO)
~ Adult Literacy Education (ALE) Wiki
~ Burbank Public Library Wiki / Littlewiki

graphic from: Curso Sobre Wikis

Literacy Library Jobs: California - Monterey Park

Literacy Jobs: Southern California

LITERACY PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR
Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library

Job Type: Full Time
Salary: $59,928 - $76,668 annually
Application Deadline: 7/15/2008

Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, administers and assists in developing a large, comprehensive Literacy Program for the City. The Literacy Program Administrator is responsible for developing a coalition of community agencies and groups to coordinate and expand existing literacy efforts.

LAMP

Since 1984, Literacy for All of Monterey Park (LAMP) has been a leader in adult and family literacy programs. We improve human lives by providing high-quality, learner-centered literacy services to the San Gabriel Valley at no cost. Trained volunteers in one-to-one, small group, and classroom settings provide tutoring and instruction. Our volunteer teachers and tutors are highly skilled and successful, as they have helped more than 1,300 adults become United States citizens and more than 5,000 children and adults improve their reading and writing skills.

Literacy In Libraries Around California +

Join Family Fun Day at libraryMercury News: May 29, 2008 by Johyne Taylor Hill

Staff members at the Alameda Free Library are busy doing much more than reshelving books. They're creating and maintaining outreach programs designed to promote one central message, summed up by Jordana Elderts of the library's adult literacy program, Alameda Reads:

"There's so much fun that can happen at the library. It's not just sitting down and reading quietly." Family Fun Day, a chance for families with small children to have fun and learn about library services, will be held Saturday at the Main Library. It is the culminating event of this year's preschool reading program which aims to help some of Alameda's youngest citizens develop a love of reading.

Two years ago, Alameda Reads joined forces with the library's Children's Services to apply for a state grant from Early Learning with Families to create positive reading experiences for children from infants to age 5. The library wanted to address the issue that children who don't read often have a lower literacy level, which can limit their potential socio-economic success as adults. READ MORE

The free event (May 31) was open to everyone, but is focused on families with young children.

Orton-Gillingham Training: San Diego

Beginning Decoding/Encoding Training
in the Orton-Gillingham Approach

August 4-9 & August 11-16, 2008
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

(Participants must attend all sessions)
The San Diego Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA)

is sponsoring an Orton-Gillingham training seminar. It is appropriate for teachers, tutors, parents, or anyone interested in being trained in an O-G program. The seminar is conducted by trainers who are Fellows of the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators, a national certification and accreditation body incorporated under New York State Education Law. Further, the content of the training programs reflects the curricular criteria established by the Academy.

The deadline to apply is June 15th. Space is limited.

For more information or to register please contact:
Kelli Sandman-Hurley
619-527-5480
ksandmanhurley@sandiego.gov

Flickr Photo: POTS on Dyslexia Avenue by John Suler

SCLLN Calendar: June 2008

June 2008
SCLLN Tutor Workshops and Events
More Info & Events @ SCLLN Calendar

Jun 13
SCLLN Professional Development Day
San Diego CA

Jun 14
READ/San Diego Tutor Conference - 18th Annual
Joan B Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice – UCSD

Jun 19: 6 pm
Tutor Training - Burbank Public Library
Burbank Public Library Auditorium

Jun 21: 10 am
Tutor Brunch - Monrovia Public Library
Monrovia Community Center

Jun 21: 10 am
Tutor Training - Beverly Hills PL
Beverly Hills Public Library

Jun 21: 10 am
Tutor Workshop - Palmdale City Library
Larry Chimbole Cultural Center

Jun 25: 6:30 pm
Tutor Orientation - Oceanside READS
Learning Center

Other Local Events & Conferences

Jun 7
Feria del Libro - Family Book Fair
Los Angeles City Hall

Jun 14
Los Angeles Black Book Expo 2008
Ahmanson Senior Center, Exposition Park
Los Angeles CA

Jun 28 – Jul 2
American Library Association 2008 Conference
Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Avenue
Anaheim CA

Jun 29: 1:30 pm
Adult Learners: Helping Libraries Make MAGIC!
PLA @ ALA
Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Avenue
Anaheim CA