Literacy service begins work at county Wayfarer Center

Literacy service begins work at county Wayfarer Center
Daily Democrat, The (Woodland, CA) - June 28, 2008

The Woodland Public Library Literacy Service opened its doors to a new program, S.T.E.P. (Strength Through Education Program) on June 12 at the Yolo Wayfarer Center.

This ongoing project brings literacy skills to the residents of the Yolo Wayfarer Center.

"It was a great night, and a great beginning to what we hope will be a long running education program at the Center," notes Literacy Coordinator Sue Bigelow, "and we have many people to thank for getting it off the ground especially the Rumsey Community Fund, the Parker Family Foundation, the Yolo Literacy Council and the Woodland Public Library."

STEP is a goal-oriented literacy program working with the residents at the Center in basic literacy, computer skills, GED preparation, and job/housing skills. A team of four tutors works with the residents twice a week within the homeless shelter.

"The program came about in much the same way as our Inmate literacy program, in that we saw a unique opportunity to take education to the learner," notes Bigelow.

The program takes place on Monday and Thursday evenings at the center with work beign done in Reading and Writing skills, Math skills, Job and computer skills and GED preparation. With local elementary schools being out for the summer, we are also planning education programs for children on those evenings, and are exploring athe potential of working with the Wayfarer Center.

"It is truly a team effort between the Wayfarer Center and its staff, the Literacy Service and our tutors, and those who so graciously have supported us financially," notes Bigelow.

More information concerning the Literacy Service and STEP may be obtained by calling the Literacy Service at 661-5987. READ MORE

Newport Beach Library - Author Lisa See Featured at Fundraising Event in May

Author Lisa See Featured at Fundraising Event in May

Over 150 people attended a luncheon benefiting literacy services on May 30th. With author Lisa See as the featured speaker, the event included lunch, lecture, and a copy of Ms. See’s most recent book, Peony in Love, along with a book signing. In her lecture, Lisa confessed to being intrigued by stories that have been lost, forgotten, or deliberately covered up.

In previous books, she has explored her own Chinese-American family history as well as fascinating stories of other Chinese women.

. . .from NBPL Literacy Newsletter

SCLLN Tutor Workshop Calendar: Summer 2008

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

July 8 - 6 pm
Tutor Training - READ/San Diego
Mission Valley Branch

July 12 - 10 am
Tutor Training - San Diego County Library
Spring Valley Branch

July 14 - 6 pm
Tutor Orientation - READ/Orange County
Aliso Viejo Branch

July 16 - 6 pm
Tutor Orientation - READ/Orange County
Haskett Branch

August 9 - 10 am
Tutor Training - San Diego County Library
El Cajon Branch

August 11 - 5:30 pm
Tutor Training - San Diego County Library
Vista Branch

August 18 - 6 pm
Tutor Orientation - Newport Beach Public Library

Other Local Events & Conferences

August 4 - 15
Orton-Gillingham Approach Workshop
San Diego CA

PLA @ ALA 2008 - Anaheim

PLA @ ALA

Adult Learners: Helping Libraries Make MAGIC !
Sunday, June 29, 1:30-5:30pm

ALA President Loriene Roy and California State Librarian Susan Hildreth will set the stage for this engaging and dynamic presentation on the added value of literacy and adult learners in your public library. Panel presentations from librarians, literacy coordinators, and adult learners will describe several national adult learner projects. This session is for libraries who partner with adult education providers as well as for those managing literacy programs.

Teen Parents Raising Readers: Teen Staff Making It Happen
Sat: June 28, 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm

This program provides information, hands-on activities, and techniques that will enable teen staff to share early literacy information from the Every Child Ready to Read @ your library project in pregnant/parenting teen programs. Learn how to conduct programs that not only empower teens with a better understanding of reading, but also leave them with new ways to interact with their children that support later reading development.

Early Literacy Training for Child Care Providers: A Proven Program for Success
Sun: June 29, 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Using Carroll County (Md.) Public Library’s ground-breaking, scientifically-based initiative, learn about ways to train child care providers to foster early literacy skills in young children.

Read Between the Lions: Public Television and Public Libraries Join Forces to Improve Literacy
Mon: June 30, 10:30 am - Noon

Hear how three public libraries in different communities utilized entertaining, research-based episodes of the award-winning educational program, Between the Lions to create engaging, hands-on, library-based Reading Dens to increase and improve the literacy practices and skills of kindergarteners and their parents.

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