Adult Literacy Awareness Month - Santa Barbara Library - Santa Fe Springs Library

Adult Literacy Awareness Month
September Spotlight
on SCLLN Literacy Programs

Santa Barbara Public Library

Tutoring for Adults - Become a Better Reader!

If you or someone you know would like to learn to read, write, or spell better, call the Santa Barbara Public Library Adult Literacy Program at (805) 564-5619. A trained tutor will provide confidential one-on-one tutoring in reading, writing and spelling skills.

Adults are eligible for literacy tutoring if they:
Are 16 or older;
Are able to hold a conversation, such as an intake interview, in English;
Are not enrolled in a degree program; and
Are able to work with a tutor 2 or 3 hours per week.

News!
Click here for the latest adult literacy newsletter!

Training is offered four times per year. The nine-hour workshop prepares participants to help English-speaking adults improve their reading, writing, and spelling. Once you have been matched with a learner, on-going assistance on specific teaching or learning issues is available.

Sante Fe Springs Public Library

About Literacy Services

The National Literacy Act of 1991 defines literacy as " . . .an individual's ability to read, write, and speak in English, and compute and solve problems at levels of proficiency necessary to function on the job and in society, to achieve one's goals, and develop one's knowledge and potential." There are literacy programs in adult schools, churches, community centers, and businesses as well as libraries.

The Santa Fe Springs City Library has offered free literacy services to adults, children, and families since 1987.Our confidential adult literacy service is available to all English-speaking patrons of the library. Those who cannot speak and understand English are referred to local programs to learn conversation first. Then they may enroll in our literacy program.Over 40 million Americans age 16 and older have significant literacy needs.

In Los Angeles County, there are 1.8 million adults with limited reading and writing skills. Forty-three percent of first-year students in the California State University system require remedial reading instruction.Research supports a strong link between the home environment and children's acquisition of school-based literacy.Businesses that provide basic skills training experience a 19 percent greater increase in productivity than companies that did not provide such training.

Reading Club

Does your child have trouble reading? Learn more about the Library's FREE Literacy service to children ages 7 - 12.

Adult Literacy Awareness Month - READ/San Diego - San Luis Obispo Library

Adult Literacy Awareness Month

September Spotlight

on SCLLN Literacy Programs

READ/San Diego

In San Diego County, approximately 422,000 adults cannot read and write well enough to meet everyday needs and pursue professional goals. The Library's READ/San Diego program is a free literacy, English as a Second Language and family literacy instruction service for adults 18 years and older. Staffed by literacy professionals, READ/San Diego coordinates the efforts of volunteer reading tutors and cooperates with local adult schools, community colleges and other literacy education providers in making and receiving student referrals. Each year, the program assists more than 1,000 adult students from various backgrounds and learning levels.

In 2006, READ/San Diego was honored with the Advancement of Literacy Award from the American Library Association. The national award honors a publisher, bookseller, hardware and/or software dealer, foundation or similar group that has made a significant contribution to the advancement of adult literacy. Read the full press release (PDF:22K).

In 2004, READ/San Diego was named one of the top community partnerships in the nation by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Vocational and Adult Education. Read the full press release (PDF:117K).

San Luis Obispo Library

The San Luis Obispo County Literacy Council is a nonprofit organization committed to assisting adult learners and their families in the development of English language communication skills by:

Recruiting and preparing volunteers as tutors in the delivery of quality instruction using a variety of approaches. Providing individual and group instruction to learners in reading, writing, speaking and basic number skills, thereby furthering the ability of learners to function well in the community. Promoting individual awareness and involvement in the literacy process.

Adult Literacy Awareness Month - San Bernardino Public Library - San Diego Co Library

Adult Literacy Awareness Month

September Spotlight

on SCLLN Literacy Programs

San Bernardino Public Library Literacy Center

provides small group tutoring to individuals that desire to improve their basic skills. Tutoring is provided by dedicated volunteers who are trained in literacy instruction by certified trainers through Laubach Literacy.

Classes in Adult Basic Education (ABE), English as a Second Language (ESL), Families for Literacy (FFL), After School Homework Assistance, and Citizenship preparation are a sampling of what is offered.

Online Help for Adult Learners

One-on-one assistance with resume reviewing, test preparation for U.S. citizenship and the GED, job search assistance and various other instruction is offered. It is available through San Bernardino Public Library both in the library and remotely via the library website daily 1 p.m. - 10 p.m. for SBPL library cardholders with Internet access. It is closed on July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

LearningExpressLibrary.com

(Sample Test Questions - formerly LearnATest)

Provides sample tests with questions to help preparation for the GED, SAT, CBEST, GRE, ASVAB and various employment-related tests. This database will prompt you to set-up a user name and password. You must keep this information to log in to use the tests. This database is accessible from the library or from home for San Bernardino Public Library cardholders.

Scrabble Night Every third Wednesday, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Literacy Center at Feldheym. All participants welcome! Come join the fun.

San Diego County Library

L.E.A.R.N. Mission
To help adults improve reading and writing skills to achieve their full potential as community members, family members, workers, and life-long learners;
To teach non-English speakers ESL (English as a Second Language) skills;
To tailor services to individual needs, with confidentiality;
To foster understanding and use of public libraries;
To educate communities on the importance of literacy.

Adult Literacy in San Diego County
An average 20% of adults locally struggle with reading and writing. It can be a source of embarrassment for adults, who are often unwilling to ask for help.

Many have learning disabilities;
Others received insufficient individual instruction in school or at home;
Others are immigrants seeking to learn English.
Adult Literacy Services at San Diego County Library
L.E.A.R.N. offers free, confidential adult literacy and learning services;
Services include one-on-one and small group tutoring and computer-aided instruction; Centers are in the El Cajon and Vista branch libraries;
Services are available at all San Diego County Library branches.

L.E.A.R.N. Newsletter

Adult Literacy Awareness Month - Riverside Public Library - San Bernardino Co Library

Adult Literacy Awareness Month

September Spotlight

on SCLLN Literacy Programs

Riverside Public Library
Literacy Program

Through RPL's Literacy Program, trained volunteer tutors provide one-on-one tutoring to English-speaking adults who want to improve their reading, writing and computer skills. Adults with young children are encouraged to participate in our Families for Literacy program.

The Literacy Program is for English speakers. The library does not offer ESL courses. If you are looking for ESL courses, contact the Riverside Adult School at (951) 788-7185. RAS programs include high school diploma, GED preparation, English as a Second Language (ESL), a variety of vocational programs, older adult classes, basic skills instruction, and independent study (for diploma courses).

San Bernardino County Library

Adult Literacy Program

Adults can improve their reading, writing and computer skills through our Adult Literacy Program. Adults are carefully matched with trained volunteers and usually meet with their tutors weekly to improve their reading skills. English-speaking adults that read below high-school level should call us at (951) 779-9204 or visit our office for more information. We strongly recommend that participants meet weekly with a tutor, and set aside additional time to practice at home.

The Mission is to support the San Bernardino County Library. This is accomplished by providing free, individualized literacy services and materials to our patrons, community members and their families in a non-threatening, confidential, student-centered environment, in order to equip participants with life long learning skills and prepare them for personal, family, career and community success.

The Literacy program is in its 21st year and is funded in part by the California State Library and through Community Development Block Grants.

Adult Literacy Awareness Month - Rancho Cucamonga Library - Riverside Co Library

Adult Literacy Awareness Month

September Spotlight

on SCLLN Literacy Programs

Rancho Cucamonga Public Library

The Adult Literacy Program provides free adult literacy services to the local community. Adults who wish to participate as a student or as a volunteer tutor can contact Rosie Manela, Literacy Coordinator, at the literacy office at (909) 477-2720 ext. 5009.

The Rancho Cucamonga literacy program receives its funding support from a variety of sources such as: the California State Library, the City of Rancho Cucamonga, local Community Development Block Grants, private Foundations, and private donations.

Riverside County Library – Literacy Services

To help English-speaking adults improve their literacy skills so they may fulfill their personal goals and take advantage of opportunities as lifelong learners.

Annual Facts
• 175 Tutors Trained
• 150 Students Matched
• 60 Families Served
• 10,000 Instructional Hours
• 600 Talent and Support Hours
• 4 Full - Time Staff Members
• Population of Area Served - 760,000
• Number of Literacy Sites/Centers - 3

Adult Literacy Awareness Month - Placentia Library - Pomona Library

Adult Literacy Awareness Month

September Spotlight

on SCLLN Literacy Programs

Placentia Library Literacy Services

Developed in partnership with the California State Library Literacy Services over 21 years ago. The program offers free tutoring and confidential English instruction to adults.

Placentia Library Homework Club

Homework assistance is available in the library on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4PM to 6PM. Students from kindergarten through high school are welcome to attend.

Internships and Service Learning

PLLS is an approved site for students wishing to fulfill their community service and internship requirements. If you want to learn more about fulfilling your community service requirements call (714) 528-1906 ext 220.

Federal Work Study PlacementsPLLS partners with Western State University College of Law and Cal State Fullerton in the Federal Work Study (FWS) program. Approved students may apply for FWS positions. Please contact the literacy office at (714) 528-1906 ext 220 for details about the FWS program.

Pomona Public Library

The Pomona Literacy Service provides free adult literacy services to the City of Pomona. Volunteer tutorial programs are provided to adults (16 years and older) who do not have basic literacy skills or whose literacy skills are so limited that they are not able to function independently in daily life or acquire employment or higher education.

Volunteer tutors are trained in certification workshops, learning methods and techniques for teaching literacy skills (reading, writing, and comprehension). The methods used are prescribed by Literacy Volunteers of America, Laubach International, and the California Literacy Campaign.

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.