Simple English Wikipedia

Simple English Wikipedia

Just about everyone has heard about Wikipedia.
Did you know there is a ' Simple English Wikipedia ? '
It has over 34,000 articles written in plain, basic English.

Here is a sample from the article on the violin:

The violin is a string instrument that is played with a bow. The violin has four strings which are tuned to the notes G, D, A, and E. The violin is held between the left collar bone (near the shoulder) and the chin. Different notes are made by fingering with the left hand while bowing with the right. It has no frets or other markers, so players have to learn the exact place to put the fingers of the left hand by memory alone.

The violin is the smallest and highest pitched instrument in the string family. The other instruments in the family are: viola, cello and double bass. A person who plays the violin is called a violinist. A person who makes or repairs a violin is called a luthier.

Library volunteer shares love of books with adult literacy program

Library volunteer shares love of books with adult literacy program
Lodi News-Sentinel: July 24, 2008 by Pam Bauserman

After Bev Cornelius retired from teaching 13 years ago, she began looking for something to keep herself occupied. A fan of books, the 78-year-old felt the library was the place for her to be. Four to five times a month Cornelius volunteers her time selling books for the Friends of the Lodi Public Library and for two to three days a week, she helps out with the adult literacy program.

Q: What do you enjoy about it?
A: Just to see people come and buy books so I know they're reading and to help adults with their reading.

Q: What has been the most memorable moment for you?
A: With the tutoring, my last student was an Indian woman. It was fun to be introduced to a new food and learn something about the culture in India. I also jjust started tutoring a Hispanic girl, Alicia. She is doing so well. She is so motiviated.

Q: What do you never tire of?
A: Probably reading.

Q: What goals do you hope to accomplish for the library?
A: In my tutoring program, I help those people become better readers and have a better connection to the English language. And, just sell books.

Q: What has been the weirdest thing that has happened since you have been volunteering here?
A: Shortly after we moved into this room, we had all the books on the shelves and overnight they all fell onto the floor. The books were too heavy for the shelves.

Q: Do you see a lot of books that you want?
A: Oh yes. Everytime I'm on duty I buy one or two books and then I get hints from people saying, "You should read that book."

Q: What is the last book you read?
A: "Three Cups of Tea." READ MORE

Carlsbad Library - Library Learning Center OPENING CELEBRATION

Carlsbad City Library Learning Center

OPENING CELEBRATION

Carlsbad CL Newsletter: June/July 2008

Join us for the Learning Center's grand opening celebration on Saturday, August 23. The ceremony begins at 10 am, followed by the ribbon cutting, tours, children's activities including crafts and story-times, entertainment by the Mariachi Divas and refreshments until 3 pm. Admission is free @ 3368 Eureka Place.

The new Library Learning Center will provide a library collection for all ages; literacy tutoring; homework assistance and study rooms; public computer access and computer classes; bilingual (English/Spanish) services; and programs for children and families.

Can’t make the August opening? Join us for events in September to celebrate National Literacy and Hispanic Heritage Month. For more information, call: 760 . 931 . 4500

San Diego Co Library - Pure Persistence

Pure Persistence
Learn Alive Newsletter: June/July 2008

When I came to America, I had some goals in my mind. To have a job, buy a home, have my family. And one of the most important goals was to read and write English, to communicate to anybody and not feel embarrassed.

I think I could do much better in my job and have a better opportunity to go a step up. My wife told me that there is a program in the library where they teach one on one.

It’s been almost 35 years that I’ve lived in America. I have gotten some of my goals. I have a great family, a great job. My job is almost my second home. I spend half of my life or more working there.

After these many years, I can read a magazine or newspaper, but I still have a problem with the writing. This is part of my life, some of the things I remember. I remember when I was a child. I liked to play with my bike. When my bike broke, I fixed it or asked my friends to do it for me. One time I built a bike from parts that I borrowed from my friends. When you have a problem in life, there is always a solution. Never stop in life for what you want.

I’m from Guatemala. I lived in Mexico City for almost three years. After that time, I moved to the USA. When I came to the USA, I was 17 years old. I had lots of ideas in my mind. I started working in landscaping and restaurants. I like restaurants because I like to cook and I like the environment. I have been working for The Fish Market almost 27 years. I meet lots of people.
Adolfo Salazar

SCLLN Tutor Workshop Calendar: August 2008

SCLLN Literacy Library Calendar - August 2008

- visit SCLLN for more information -

- and for local, State and National events -

Aug 2 @ TBA
Tutor Training
San Luis Obispo City-County Library
1264 Higuera S: 102

Aug 4 @ 10 am
Tutor Training
Santa Barbara Public Library
40 E Anapamu

Aug 9 @ 10 am
Tutor Training
San Diego County Library
El Cajon Branch

Aug 11 @ 5:30 pm
Tutor Training
San Diego County Library
Vista Branch

Aug 12 @ 5 pm
Tutor Training
Ventura County Library
Camarillo Library
4101 Las Posas Rd
Camarillo CA 93010

Aug 12 @ 6 pm
Tutor Training
Huntington Beach Library
7111 Talbert
Huntington Beach CA

Aug 12 @ 6 pm
Tutor Training
Monrovia Public Library
843 East Olive Avenue
Monrovia

Aug 18 @ 6 pm
Tutor Orientation
Newport Beach Public Library
1000 Avacado
Newport Beach CA 92660

Celebrating Adult Literacy — Carolyn Livengood column: Helping wounded warriors

Celebrating Adult Literacy —Carolyn Livengood column: Helping wounded warriors
San Mateo County Times: June 19, 2008

Susan Wooldridge, author of "Poemcrazy: Freeing Your Life with Words," was keynote speaker at a celebration dinner, "You Are an Essential Piece," hosted by Project Read-North San Mateo County at the South San Francisco Municipal Services Building.

Donna Jones, an adult learner, and Patricia Rosado, a member of AmeriCorps and a past adult learner, emceed the event, which was held to recognize the literacy successes of its learners and tutors. AmeriCorps is a national volunteer program that allows people of all ages and backgrounds to devote a year of service in areas of education, public safety, human needs and the environment.

Wooldridge, a poet and teacher with California Poets in the Schools who works with adults and at-risk youth, talked about how words change and how they can have different meanings in different languages.

"My workshops are designed to make people feel excited about writing (and teaching) poetry," said Wooldridge, who showed a notebook she keeps in which she gathers words and even pictures. "I encourage everyone to play with language."

Learners Marcela Sauceda and Juliana Amaral and their tutor, Joel Tenorio; learner Maristel Llamanzares and her tutor, Rita Barichievich; and learner Ana Flores and Tom McCaffrey (who stood in for his wife, Laura, a tutor) all shared stories of how Project Read improved their lives and the friendships they have made.

Llamanzares, 22, was originally from the Philippines and now lives in Daly City. She came to Project Read in 2004 when she was working as a cashier at Manila Market in South City. She could not read or write at the most basic literacy level. "My first goals with my tutor, Rita, were to obtain my citizenship and driver's license, which I accomplished," Llamanzares said. "Next I wanted to vote and have been carefully following the current presidential campaigns."

Llamanzares is now in a Manila Market management position and attends Skyline College to keep improving her reading and writing skills while still working with her tutor.

Holly Fulghum-Nutters of Project Read presented certificates to 40 learners and their tutors. She was joined by South San Francisco Mayor Pedro Gonzalez and Main Library Director Valerie Sommer in welcoming the 120 people who attended the event.

Watch for more details about Project Read's annual Trivia Challenge, its major fundraiser, which will be Nov. 7 at the South City Conference Center.

To learn more about Project Read, call Holly Fulghum-Nutters at 650-829-3871.

Orange Co Library - READ volunteers leave a lasting legacy of literacy

READ volunteers leave a lasting legacy of literacy
At Your Service, Orange County Employees Retirement System: July 2008

For the thousands of area adults who can’t read the menu at a local restaurant, decipher the directions printed on a medicine bottle or complete a job application, illiteracy is a terrible reality.

But a group of dedicated volunteers and Orange County Public Library employees are helping to make a difference in the effort to provide literacy skills in their community.

Anyone reading this article already has the skills that eluded Brea resident Richard Carrizosa for most of his adult life. But thanks to READ/Orange County, he is writing a much happier chapter now.

Carrizosa and his wife Clara were at the Orange County Fair in the mid-1990s when they walked by an information booth related to recruiting both students (also known as “adult learners”) and tutors for READ/Orange County.

“I have a good eye to see things, but I couldn’t read,” Carrizosa admitted. “When my wife called me to ‘Come back here,’ she told me about the program. That’s how I got involved.”

Fast forward to 2008 and Carrizosa talks fondly of working with several tutors over the past 11 years. “We’re pretty lucky to have a program like this. The opportunity is there if you want it,” Carrizosa said. “I think it’s the greatest.”

Irvine resident Alveris Corson represents the other side of READ’s winning formula. She is a tutor who has helped dozens of adult learners since becoming a volunteer for the program in May 2003. “After I retired, I needed to do something to make life interesting,” Corson explained.

In addition to representing READ at public forums such as the Orange County Fair, golf tournaments and company expos, Corson leads a group of ESL (English as a Second Language) in Costa Mesa and a conversation-focused class at Heritage Park in Irvine.

“It’s amazing what I’ve learned,” Corson said. “The first year I worked with a gentleman one-on-one who had not finished high school. Then I spent the next year with a young woman from China. Her problem was conversation and understanding (American) slang.”

Corson said being a volunteer for READ requires relatively little time, but she encourages other Retirees to volunteer. They will be matched with an adult learner who can meet them at an Orange County Public Library located near their home.

Marcia Tungate, Literacy Programs Administrator for READ/Orange County, said while the Orange County Public Library is truly one of the best library systems in the nation, 350,000 adults are unable to take advantage of the books, periodicals and other research tools available at the library because of low-level literacy or English skills.

“That is the equivalent of the entire population of Irvine, Lake Forest, Laguna Beach, Laguna 7 Hills, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente,” Tungate said of the 350,000 number.

Since early 2004, volunteer tutor Sandy Hague has been serving READ/Orange County on two fronts, tutoring an adult learner in a conference room at Fountain Valley Library and spending four hours a week helping out at READ/Orange County’s headquarters in Santa Ana.

“It’s rewarding because you’re helping people accomplish what they want to accomplish,” said Hague, noting there are a variety of reasons that adult learners come to READ for assistance.

“My current student just got a promotion at work and I like to think what she learned at our sessions played a part in that,” Hague said. “Helping them (students) is terrific.”

READ/Orange County, the adult literacy service of the Orange County Public Library, delivers its services by training community members to become volunteer tutors who work one-on-one with adults and families who have low level reading, writing and English skills.

“Our catch phrase is ‘Leave a Legacy.’ Richard, by learning to read, can now read to his grandchildren,” Tungate noted.

“Alveris has helped expand the program and she has 24 students. The impact of teaching a person to read is amazing,” Tungate explained.

When asked about Hague, who has provided services as a tutor and with professional services at READ/Orange County’s offi ce, Tungate replied: “I could not have survived without her.”

If you are interested in becoming a tutor, or if you or someone you know needs reading assistance, please call 714-566-3070. You can also visit READ/Orange County’s official Web site by pointing your browser to www.readoc.org or visit your local OCPL branch for more information.

“People who have worked hard all their lives can still help make the world a better place in retirement. People who volunteer with READ are giving from their heart,” Tungate said.

Added Carrizosa: “Today when my wife gives me a grocery list, I can read it."