Palmdale Library - Writer To Writer Awards 2009

2009 Writer-to-Writer Awards

This year 188 adult learners entered the Challenge from 43 library literacy programs all over California. Their letters, based on their writing skill levels, were divided into four categories: Emerging, Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced. [see earlier Post for more information !]

The letters of the winners will appear as a Four-part Series by the Literacy Interest Group E-newsletter, continuing part two with this E-newsletter with a letter from Intermediate winner Larry Evans:

Larry Evans
Palmdale City Library

Dear Mr. Poitier:

My name is Larry Evans and it was at the age of fifty-one that I learned how to read. Your book was the first book I ever read from cover to cover. Thank you for the inspiration I received from reading The Measure of a Man. My comments will start with you growing up in the Bahamas. Being blessed with weather so warm and beautiful all year round to enjoy - what a life! That lifestyle would only be a dream for me. The closest thing I had to living on an island was an old television show called Gilligan's Island.

My hometown was somewhat like yours; we also carried water to drink and had to use an outhouse. It is easy for a country boy like me to relate to your life style as a boy. As I read your book about how you faced racism at a very young age, it made me think that racism is maybe part of the reason why it took me fifty-one years to read the English Language. READ MORE !

CA & National Literacy Calendar: December 2009

California Literacy Calendar: December 2009

SCLLN Literacy & Library Events & Conferences
-local, California and National Conferences-

visit the Southern California Library Literacy Network
for more information

Tutor Training Workshops scrolling in left frame

Southern California

Dec 2-3: CA Secondary Literacy Summit = Costa Mesa
Dec 5: Literacy & Arts Festival = Santa Clarita Hart Park
Dec 8 7pm: Ten Tenors = San Diego Council on Literacy @ SD Civic Theater
Dec 12 10am: Learning Disabilities Adult Support Group = Providence Tarzana Medical Center
Dec 12 10am: Sensory Friendly Film – Princess & Frog @ some local AMC Theaters: Covina – Ontario – Orange – SD – Torrance – Woodland Hills

National

Dec 2-5: National Reading Conference = Albuquerque
Dec 4-6: Zero to Three Institute = Dallas

Lodi Literacy Program Coordinator Yvette Herrera Shares Learning Tips

Literacy Program Coordinator Yvette Herrera Shares Learning Tips
Lodi News: November 23, 2009 by Pam Bauserman

Blue squares line the floor in the Lodi Public Library through the children's area and to an office at the back.

Yvette Herrera calls these squares "the path to literacy."

Herrera is the literacy program coordinator at the library. She likes to see the life-changing progress people make once they enter the program.

"Those of us who can read, we don't realize what it's like not to be able to read a menu or a medicine bottle," she said.

What are some causes of adult illiteracy?

Having poor experiences in elementary or secondary schools. (There are also) people from other countries and there are some with learning disabilities.

What are some of the teaching methods used?

We use the Laubach way to reading technique. There are different levels they graduate in and go into different levels.

What has been the biggest success story?

We've had various learners progress. One who I can think of is in the process of getting her phlebotomy license. That's definite improvement.

What is the biggest problem adult illiteracy causes? READ MORE !

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.