California Budget - Library Cuts 2010-11

Legislative Analyst’s Office Projects $20.7 Billion Budget Problem
CLA Action Alert: November 18, 2009

Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) report:
The 2010-11 Budget: California's Fiscal Outlook.

According to the report, the $20.7 billion Budget problem, "consists of a $6.3 billion projected deficit for 2009-10, and a $14.4 billion gap between projected revenues and spending in 2010-11." The vast majority of the new Budget problem, according to the LAO, is the result of several major "solutions" in the recently enacted Budget, that did not pan out as well as additional funding owed to schools.

Tips For Lobbying Your Legislator - During Difficult Budget Years
By Mike Dillon and Christina Dillon DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

REINTRODUCE YOUR LEGISLATOR TO YOUR LIBRARY

When you are visiting with your legislator, please take the opportunity to ask him or her to attend an event at your library. While we personally know of legislators who actively visit their local libraries, unfortunately many lawmakers have not set foot in one in a long time. It is not unusual for a legislator who does not have a particular attachment to a local library to ask us, “With the advancement of Barnes and Noble, do we even need libraries any more ?”

Explain to your legislator that the 2010-2011 Budget does not contain any cuts to library programs such as the Public Library Foundation, Transaction Based Reimbursement, and English Acquisition and Literacy Program. Ask your legislator to continue to support public libraries and to resist talks of future cuts.

MARKET YOUR LIBRARY !

Many legislators simply do not know of the extensive services you provide. Pick three or four that are very unusual or popular and highlight them in your discussion. Explain what the modern day library provides to its patrons.
Get Rich @ Your Library

Your public library is a goldmine of books, magazines, movies, music and other great stuff. There are many ways you can Get Rich @ Your Library !

Don't Know Your Legislators ? Click Here

Colton Library - Colton City Council Bombarded with Complaints over Library Closures

Colton City Council Bombarded with Complaints over Library Closures
SB Sun: November 17, 2009 by Michael J Sorba

Nearly 100 people crammed into the City Council Chambers Tuesday night to hear complaints about the recent closure of the city's three libraries.

Several who spoke said they were flabbergasted by the decision and questioned why other options weren't considered before such a brash move was made.

"There are things that can be done when you ask the community for help," said Linda Tripp, vice president of Friends of the Colton Public Library. "You need to reach out to the community before you do something this drastic."

Last week, Interim City Manager Bob Miller announced the libraries would remain shuttered until the June 30 close of the current fiscal year and almost 60 employees would be laid off to combat a projected $5 million general fund deficit.

These moves will only save about $3.5 million, and it's likely more layoffs and organizational changes will be needed to make up the difference, Mayor Kelly Chastain said. READ MORE !

Sensory Friendly Flims

Sensory Friendly Flims

The Autism Society and AMC Entertainment have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis with the "Sensory Friendly Films" program.

Lights up and Sound down in the movie theaters. Families will be able to bring in their own gluten-free, casein-free snacks. NO previews or ads will be shown before the movie.

Audience members are welcome to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing.

Tickets are $4 - 6 depending on location and can be purchased on the day of the event.

Upcoming Shows @ 10:00 am
November 21: Planet 51
December 12: The Princess and the Frog
January 9: Alvin and the Chipmunks 2

AMC Covina 301414 N. Azusa Ave., Covina
AMC Cupertino Square 1610123 N. Wolfe Rd., Cupertino
AMC Ontario Mills 304549 Mills Cir., Ontario
AMC Block 3020 City Blvd. W., Ste. 1, Orange
AMC Mission Valley 20640 Camino Del Rio North, San Diego
AMC Palm Promenade 24770 Dennery Rd., San Diego
AMC Van Ness 141000 Van Ness Ave San Francisco
AMC Mercado 203111 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara
AMC Del Amo 183525 Carson St., Torrance
AMC Promenade 1621801 Oxnard St., Woodland Hills

Colton Library - Colton Sends Out Layoff Notices; Libraries To Close

Colton Sends Out Layoff Notices; Libraries To Close
SB Sun: November 12, 2009 by Melissa Pinion-Whitt

Nearly 60 Colton city employees have been given layoff notices and the city's three libraries will be closed as a result of Colton's $5 million budget shortfall, Interim City Manager Bob Miller announced today.

Thirty full time and nearly 30 part-time employees have been given notices.

Miller said the cuts will save the city $4 million. He urged labor group representatives to determine whether they can offer the city some salary or benefit savings.

"Perhaps we can all work together to head-off additional layoffs, or even reverse some of this action and return some fine people to their jobs," Miller said in a prepared statement.

Miller said the situation may grow worse if voters don't support the extension of the city's utility user tax, which is set to expire in 2011. The tax provides about $5 million to the city's general fund.

Hemet Library - Couple Marks Long Union

Couple Marks Long Union
Press Enterprise: November 4, 2009 by Diane A. Rhodes

Sixty years ago today, when Rose Mary and William "Al" Konersman said "I do" in Florissant, Mo., they probably did not envision themselves celebrating a milestone wedding anniversary at Soboba Casino.

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The Hemet couple met at McDonnell Aircraft Co. while Al was attending college to earn an engineering degree and Rose Mary was a secretary. "That was back in the days when we wore those high heels with the pointed toes," said Rose Mary, 85.

After Al started his full-time career as an aeronautical engineer, Rose Mary settled into homemaking and mothering. The couple has two daughters and a son. They lived in seven states before retiring to the Valle Vista area of Hemet about 12 years ago. The couple wasted no time in giving back to the community they chose as home.

"Volunteering has always been a big part of Al's life," said Rose Mary. But she joins her 83-year-old husband at the Adult Literacy Center, where they both tutor twice a week."If you ever get a chance to do this -- try it -- it is so rewarding," she said. They have just started their third year of tutoring. Information, 951-765-3856. READ MORE !

Literacy Program Caters to Basic Human Right

Literacy Program Caters to Basic Human Right Cape Breton Post: November 5, 2009 by Doreen Lynk Letters To The Editor

Did you know that basic education was recognized as a human right in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 ?

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Adult literacy is more than reading, writing and mathematics. Literacy helps people participate in society. Literacy deserves serious attention. Right now there are people like me who cannot improve their education.

Nov. 2 to 6 is Literacy Action Week. The theme is Literacy and Empowerment. I, and people like me, want to benefit from our basic human right and improve our education and skills.

Please show that you value adult literacy by supporting programs and government policies that help adult learners play an active and productive role in our communities. READ MORE !

Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948

Article 26.

(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.

(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.

(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

Literacy Tribune: November 2009

Literacy Tribune: November 2009

United Literacy, a non-profit organization, provides resources and support to adult literacy learners in the United States. Its aim is to make literacy education accessible and worthwhile for adult learners.

Main Story: Road Safety
~ In 2006, motor vehicle traffic crashes were the leading cause of death among people between the ages of 3-34.

Member Spotlight: Henry Barnes III
~ 10 months ago, Henry Barnes III walked into the Second Start Adult Literacy Program at the Oakland Library in California and asked for help. He wanted to learn to read better.

A Learner's Poem
~ Good Feeling by Rodolfo Diaz

Organization Spotlight: Start Adult Literacy Program
~ The Second Start Adult Literacy Program has been teaching adult learners in Oakland, California to read for 25 years.

A History Lesson: William McKinley
~ the 25th president of the United States, was born in Niles, Ohio on January 29, 1843.

Technology Watch: Picasa
~ Digital cameras make taking photos easy. But keeping all those photos organized on your computer and editing them can be daunting.

The Literacy Tribune is looking for adult learner writers.
Are you an adult learner ?
Do you want to write ?
Do you want to publish your writing ?

You can write about:
Your road to literacy
Your literacy organization
Literacy resources you like
You can write book reviews, poetry, short stories
You can write articles about health, finance, or technology
You can write just about anything !