Adult Literacy Awareness Month - Palmdale, Pasadena

Adult Literacy Awareness Month

September Spotlight

on SCLLN Literacy Programs

Palmdale City Library - Literacy Program

Did you know that one out of five American adults cannot read well enough to fill out a job application, understand the instructions on a prescription bottle, or read a bedtime story to their child? That means in the City of Palmdale, there could easily be over 17,500 adults who have problems reading and writing English.

In 1991, Congress defined literacy as "an individual's ability to read, write, and speak in English," but added to this traditional definition the abilities to compute and solve problems in order for an individual to "function on the job and in society, to achieve one's goals, and develop one's knowledge and potential." The new focus, in other words, is on functional literacy.

The Palmdale City Library's Literacy Program is designed for English-speaking adults who want to improve their reading and writing skills. The Literacy Coordinator provides regularly scheduled training sessions for volunteer tutors. Once trained, each tutor then works one-on-one with an assigned learner.

Someone you know could have difficulty reading or writing and you might never be aware of the problem. Functionally illiterate adults mask their deficiencies well. They listen to and observe the world very carefully. They memorize. They ask their trusted family members and friends to read and write for them. It is embarrassing for them to admit that they cannot read or write "like everybody else." However, given encouragement and guidance in a safe and comfortable setting, most of them can and will improve their literacy skills. The Palmdale Library Literacy Program provides that environment and level of support.

Pasadena Public Library - Pasadena READS

English-speaking adults in the Pasadena area can get basic literacy tutoring in reading, writing, and math. Tutoring is free of charge to anyone over the age of 17 and out of high school. Pasadena READS tutors are volunteers who have completed our 14-hour training course. Estimates show that between one fifth and one third of Americans are at the lowest levels of literacy.

In Pasadena, between 20,000 and 41,000 adults cannot read a newspaper, follow the directions on a bottle of medicine, or fill out a job application.

Illiteracy affects people from all social, ethnic, and economic backgrounds.

READ some of the stories that learners have written.

Adult Literacy Awareness Month - Orange Co Library

Adult Literacy Awareness Month

September Spotlight

on SCLLN Literacy Programs

Orange County Public Libraries

READ/Orange County provides tutoring in reading, writing and English to individuals. Lessons are individualized, confidential, and highly goal-oriented. Tutors structure the learning process around the goals of the learner, using materials that relate to those goals.

In support of the Core Program, READ/Orange County offers three other programs: Families For Literacy (FFL), Working For Inmate Literacy Now (WIN) and English Language and English Literacy Civics Education (EL -Civics).

Families for Literacy

READ/Orange County's Families for Literacy (FFL) component works with parents and children to break the intergenerational cycle of illiteracy. We promote literacy skills in the parents and reading readiness in children under five. FFL tutors are specifically trained in methods of incorporating children's material into the tutoring sessions as well as assisting parents in choosing appropriate reading materials for their children.

Working for Inmate Literacy Now

READ/Orange County's Working for Inmate Literacy Now (WIN) component provides basic literacy services to interested inmates in the Orange County jail system. Trained tutors go into the five Orange County jail facilities to provide these services. Due to rapid inmate turnover, the goal of WIN is to:

Demonstrate to the inmate the practical benefits of improving their literacy skills; Demonstrate to the inmate their capability in improving literacy skills; and

Encourage learners' education upon transfer or release from the jail system.

E.L. Civics

EL- Civics Education provides opportunities for adult non-native speakers to become better parents, workers, and community members by gaining language and literacy skills. The curriculum includes a variety of topics such as accessing good family health care, nutrition, employment skills, or helping their children succeed in school.

Friends of READ/OC
Newsletter

Orange City Library

Reach Out And Read (ROAR)

Adult volunteers (ages 16+) are needed to read to children! Flexible hours (drop in or schedule in advance) available: days, evenings, weekends, anytime that the library is open. No experience required, you will be trained by library staff to conduct storytimes. Opportunities for assisting with larger children's programs are also available.

Interested volunteers may also choose to help provide tutoring for children grades K-6 in the library's Homework Center. ROAR volunteers can choose to do storytimes, tutoring, or both.

Adult Literacy Awareness Month - Oceanside Library, Ontario Library

Adult Literacy Awareness Month

September Spotlight

on SCLLN Literacy Programs

Oceanside Public Library

Oceanside Reads offers free, confidential, one-on-one tutoring to English-speaking adults and youth in the Oceanside community. For information on literacy programs, please call the Oceanside READS at 760-435-5680.

Do you know someone who has a desire to learn to read, or read better?

To become an Oceanside READS learner you must:
Be 18 years of age or an out-of-school youth
Be able to speak English
Schedule an assessment with a staff member to determine your tutoring needs
Meet with your tutor for a minimum of 2 days a week, 90 minutes each time

Ontario City Library - Adult Educational Services

The Ontario City Library strives to provide fresh opportunities for life long learning to all library customers. Adult Educational Services offers a variety of life skills classes ranging from the GED Test Review and the Driver License Study Session to artistic pursuits such as Readers Theater and Creative Writing. Classes may reflect educational needs as well as stimulating personal growth topics.

In addition to regularly scheduled classes and workshops, we provide homework help and some tutoring. Staff and volunteer assistance is offered to library customers age 16 and older depending on availability. Our office is open to accommodate individual students or study groups, and our reference materials may be used in-house by the public whenever staff members are present. Our educational reference collection consists of books, videos, DVDs, audio books and interactive computer based tutorials. The materials focus on life skills, parenting, self-esteem, GED test preparation, workplace skills and much more. For information regarding study opportunities and collection materials call (909) 395-2252.

Adult Literacy Awareness Month - National City Library - Newport Beach Library

Adult Literacy Awareness Month

September Spotlight

on SCLLN Literacy Programs

National City Public Library

The WINGS After School Program is provided by the National City Public Library at each of the National School District’s ten elementary schools. National School District students in grades Kinder through 6th are invited to attend. The WINGS program provides a safe place for students to experience academic enrichment, homework help, and recreational activities during the hours when most parents work. Registration forms are available in each school's auditorium everyday after school.

The WOWmobile (Words on Wheels) Literacy Program is for families with children ages 0-5 years old. Books and materials for children and parents are available as well as crafts; games; puppet shows; stories; health referral services; and family literacy workshops.

Newport Beach Public Library Literacy Services

Provides free literacy instruction to adults who live or work in the Newport Beach area. Our dedicated volunteers have helped hundreds of people improve their English skills. In doing so, these volunteers have helped change lives. Literacy is a concern for everyone in our community as it affects not only the learner, but employers, healthcare providers, schools and more.

For many in our population, English is their second language. All second language learners benefit from learning better English skills. Job opportunities improve with English proficiency, children perform better in school if their parents are able to help them and healthcare providers can more easily care for their patient if they are proficient in English. NBPL Literacy Services is dedicated to achieving literacy for all members of our society. Literacy does change lives!

Newsletter

Adult Literacy Awareness Month - Monrovia Library - Monterey Park Library

Adult Literacy Awareness Month

September Spotlight

on SCLLN Literacy Programs

Monterey Park Library - 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 717 adults become United States citizens and as of June 30, 2008 they have helped 5,776 children and adults improve their reading and writing skills.

Some of our partners and supporters have included: Alhambra Unified School District, Starbucks, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, Regal Entertainment/Edwards Cinema, Hollywood Video, Baskin-Robbins, The Law Offices of Eng and Nishimura, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, Monterey Park Rotary, Soroptomist of Monterey Park/Rosemead, Monterey Park Lions, LAMP Optimist, Monterey Park Chamber of Commerce, Kaiser Permanente, California State University Los Angeles, Clipper’s Foundation and AmeriCorps.

MONROVIA PUBLIC LIBRARY LITERACY SERVICES

The Monrovia Public Library provides free one-on-one tutoring for adults with literacy challenges. All program participants are referred to instructional materials such as books, software and activities, as well as training, on-going support, and evaluation. Being a literacy tutor requires patience and compassion and less than 2 hours per week.

A bridge between the literate and non-literate world, providing one-to-one tutoring, computer and video instruction, as well as a positive, nurturing environment for those who wish to cross the bridge into literacy. For our students, we provide a path to a better life, to ending the family cycles of illiteracy, and to building self esteem, awareness, and knowledge.

Upcoming Events - Blog
Tuesdays, September 15 through October 20:
Adult Learner Series. Please RSVP for any or all sessions.
Resume Workshop
September 15, at 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Learn how to format your resume and dazzle an employer!
Informaton Literacy Workshop
September 22, at 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Learn how to search the Internet for what you need, get and use a free email account, shop online, and so much more!
Literacy, Food, and fitness Session 1
September 29 at 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Learn how the food pyramid has changed. This class invites children to attend with their families.
Literacy, Food, and fitness Session 2
October 6 at 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Learn about grains, veggies, and fruits. This class invites children to attend with their families.
Literacy, Food, and fitness Session 3
October 13 at 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Learn about good soures of calcium and protein. This class invites children to attend with their families.
Literacy, Food, and fitness Session 4
October 20 at 6:00pm - 8:00pm
All about exercising and get the family moving! This class invites children to attend with their families.
Saturday, September 26, at 2:00pm - 4:00pm - Tea Fundraiser in the Library's Community Room. Enjoy an afternoon of tea and pastries. $25.00 per person. Please RSVP at 626-256-8272

Adult Literacy Awareness Month - Lompoc Library - Los Angeles Public Library

Adult Literacy Awareness Month

September Spotlight

on SCLLN Literacy Programs

Lompoc Public Library

Adult Reading Program was established at the Lompoc Public Library in1989 to provide basic reading and writing instruction to adults with low literacy skills. The goal of the program is to reduce illiteracy in Lompoc and promote life-long learning. The program offers one-to-one and small group tutoring through the use of professionally trained volunteers. Volunteers are the key to the success of the program. They contribute 5,000 hours of volunteer service each year. Unlike classroom instruction, library based literacy instruction is entirely student centered with lessons developed to support each learner's unique goals, such as getting a drivers license, passing the citizenship test, obtaining new or improved employment, or passing the GED. Since the program's inception over a thousand Lompoc residents have improved their literacy skills and reached their personal goals.

Using data released from the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy and the 2000 census figures, it is estimated that 21.6% of adults in Lompoc are functioning at the below basic level and therefore lack the necessary skills to accomplish everyday activities like filling out a job application, reading the directions on a medicine bottle, writing a personal check, or reading a simple bedtime story to their child. However mundane these tasks may seem, they can be frustrating and nearly impossible for someone who is illiterate.

Reach Out and Read

To promote the values associated with early literacy and to reach out to underprivileged families, the Library partnered with the Santa Barbara Public Health Department in 2003 to establish a Reach Out and Read (ROR) Program. ROR is a pediatric literacy program that promotes early literacy development and the importance of reading aloud to parents at well child checkups. The program also provides free books and storytimes for low income patients who attend the clinic. Volunteers, particularly Spanish-speaking, are needed to read to children one or two hours a week on Wednesdays & Fridays.

LAPL Adult Literacy Program

Work one on one with an adult tutor to improve your reading and literacy skills. Tutors meet with students in any branch of the Los Angeles Public Library. This service is free. They meet twice a week for 1 to 1½ hours at a time for a minimum of six months.

Adult Literacy Awareness Month - Imperial Public Library - Imperial County Library

Adult Literacy Awareness Month

September Spotlight

on SCLLN Literacy Programs

L.E.A.R.N. Imperial Valley

Libraries Empower All to Read Now

To provide student-centered assistance, at no cost to the participant, to all adults seeking help with basic reading and writing skills. To provide volunteer tutors with the training and resources needed to support each student's individual goals. To work with libraries in the Imperial Valley to educate our communities about literacy and the issues surrounding it.

We serve Imperial Valley adults over 18 (or 16 if not enrolled in school) who would like to improve their reading and writing skills.

Imperial Public Library

We need compassionate, patient volunteer tutors who are motivated to give back to their local communities by working individually with adults who would like to improve their reading and writing skills.

By volunteering with LEARN Imperial Valley, you can make a difference in someone's life and help build stronger communities.20% of Imperial Valley residents struggle with reading and writing because of learning disabilities or because they did not get the individual instruction they needed as children, in school or at home.