San Bernardino County Library - When he lost his job, he found a passion

When he lost his job, he found a passion
Press Enterprise: April 27, 2010 by Linda Lou

When the company that Ricardo Tamayo worked for went under in 2008, he spent many hours looking for work on the computers at the Lewis Library and Technology Center in Fontana and was intrigued at how some Latinos toiled over how to use computers.

Tamayo, who is bilingual, helped translate. After securing work as an insurance sales agent, Tamayo started volunteering as a literacy tutor in 2009.

Two months later, he was asked to teach a computer class in Spanish.

The volunteer position spoke to Tamayo.

He said he has a background in computers and is a Certified Microsoft Systems Engineer. For the past year, he has been teaching basic Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. His teaches in English on Mondays and on Tuesdays in Spanish. Each session is five weeks.

"He brings terrific enthusiasm," said Lisa Llewellyn, a literacy coordinator for the San Bernardino County Library System. "He is one of the best volunteers."

Tamayo, 50, said he enjoys teaching.

"It's just something that's in me," he said. "I like to help people. It's a wonderful feeling, a great sensation. At the end of class, everyone says, 'Thank you, Ricardo.' I feel good."

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Tamayo said he plans to volunteer at the Fontana library, which is near his home, as long as he has the time. He recently started studying Microsoft Office Publisher and hopes to offer a course in that as well.

Volunteering at the library has given him a new passion. Tamayo said he plans to find out what he needs to do to get a paid job in the classroom.

"My goal is to become a computer instructor at an adult school in Fontana," he said.

For more information about computer classes at the Lewis Library and Technology Center, call 909-574-4540 or 909-574-4560. READ MORE !

California Literacy Calendar: May 2010

California Literacy Calendar: May 2010

SCLLN Literacy & Library Events & Conferences
-local, California and National Conferences
visit
Southern California Library Literacy Network
for more information

Updates of Tutor Training Workshops Scrolling in Left Frame

Local and California Literacy Events: May 2010
May 1+: Black Writers on Tour Los Angeles Convention Center
May 3+: What is Dyslexia: Introduction = On Line Cyber Space
May 5+: California Council on Adult Education Conference - Palm Springs
May 6+: Health Literacy Conference – Irvine
May 8: Dyslexia Spring Conference - University of San Diego
May 8-9am: Children's Literature Day - MT. SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE
May 8-10am: Learning Disabilities Adult Support Group Providence Tarzana Medical Center
May 9: Raising Readers – Santa Monica College
May 14-9am: Tulare County Learner-Tutor Conference - Three Rivers CA
May 22+: Bay Area Storytelling Festival - El Sobrante CA
May 25: Improving Health Literacy in LA - County Galen Center USC
May 25-7:30am: Learning Disabilities Parent Support Group The Help Group S Oaks

National Literacy Events: May 2010
Get Caught Reading MonthMay 10+: Children's Book Week
May 21: National Black Book Festival – Texas
May 25: BookExpo America - NY

2010 Outstanding Librarian in Support of Literacy

Outstanding Librarian in Support of Literacy Award

Since its inception in 2003, the Literacy Interest Group (formerly Literacy Services Section) has sponsored an annual award for Outstanding Librarian In Support of Literacy (OLSL) presented annually.

This year the Committee is starting up again in preparation to seek nominations, conduct the judging, and make the difficult choice of which librarian will receive this year’s honor. Cherall Weiss of Newport Beach P.L. is heading up the Committee which currently consists of Rosie Manela of Rancho Cucamonga P.L., Delores Allmond of Beverly Hills P.L. and Carey Gross of Butte County Library.

The Committee needs SCLLN members to serve with them on this very uplifting endeavor. The time commitment is minimal, and should fit in to the tough schedules that most of us are now working. The highlight of volunteering for this assignment is the opportunity to work with this premier team. Contact Cherall to volunteer, or if you have questions: (949) 717-3875.

Purpose:
This award is to recognize and honor a librarian who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to support literacy.

Eligibility:The nominee cannot be a literacy services staff person who already provides direct literacy services.
The nominee can be someone who has performed one or more of the following services in support of literacy:
􀀳 Outreach
􀀳 Public Awareness
􀀳 Programming
􀀳 Collection Development
􀀳 Advocacy
􀀳 Fund Raising
􀀳 Recruitment
􀀳 Other – You name it!!!

Only one nomination per library jurisdiction is allowed.
This is an individual award – nomination cannot be for a group.

The winner will be honored at the CLA 2010 Conference in Sacramento.

The winner receives a 1-year CLA Membership, a plaque, recognition on the CLA website and a gift certificate. Each nominee will receive a certificate of special recognition.

Past Winners

2009: Derek Wolfgram, Santa Clara County Library
2008: Jean Hofacket, Alameda County Library
2007: Carol Starr, Marin County Free Library
2006: John M. Adams, Orange County Public Library
2005: Sofia Bellos, Oxnard Public Library
2004: Leslie McGinnis Rodd, Oakland Public Library
2003: Chuck Aston, Redwood City Public Library

Literacy . . . Info . . . News . . . Questions - Value of Volunteer Time: 2009

Value of Volunteer Time: 2009

The 2008 estimated dollar value of volunteer time in California: $23.29 (updated figures for each state will be released in the spring of 2010).

$20.85 per hour for the U.S. according to Independent Sector.

Independent Sector has charts for:
1) Dollar Value of a Volunteer Hour: 1980 – 2009
2) Dollar Value of a Volunteer Hour, by State: 2008
~ Note that 2008 is the latest year for which state numbers are available.
~ There is a lag of almost one year in the government's release of state level data.

According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, about 61.8 million Americans, or 26.4 percent of the adult population, gave 8 billion hours of volunteer service worth $162 billion in 2008 (the 2009 numbers will be released on June 15).

Volunteer to Tutor @ Your Local Library:
SCLLN, BALIT, Northern California Literacy Coalition or CLLS

National Library Week 2010

National Library Week

Our Public Library Lifeline Is Fraying. We'll Be Sorry When it Snaps Huffington Post: April 11, 2010 by Art Brodksky

This is National Library Week, a time normally reserved for celebrating an institution that plays a vital role in many of our cities, towns and counties. Instead, many libraries, particularly public libraries, are being decimated by budget cuts at a time when library services are needed most.

Libraries, once considered a necessity, are now seen as a luxury. They are low-hanging fruit for budget pluckers, particularly at the state and local levels of government in communities across the country. It's been a slow death by attrition over the past couple of years. First, it was the budget for books and materials because, after all, books and materials aren't people. No matter that books and materials are what makes a library, well, a library. Then came the hours of operation, then the staff, then the closure of branches. No two communities are approaching the situation identically, but in cities from Boston to Indianapolis, the stories are increasingly dire.

In Boston, the trustees voted to close four branches. There was lots of protest, and Mayor Thomas Menino still has to make the final call, but the situation doesn't look good.

The Florida legislature is considering eliminating state aid to libraries entirely, while the New Jersey legislature is only looking a at a 74 percent cut. Indianapolis and surrounding Marion County are also looking at closing six branches and cutting back programs and staff.

In my home community of Montgomery County, Maryland, formerly one of the wealthiest local jurisdictions, the County Council is looking at a budget for fiscal year 2011 of $29 million - down from $40 million just three years ago. This year, it is slated for a 23 percent cut - one of the largest of any agency, on top of cuts in the last fiscal year with percentage decreases larger than all but one county agency. And this is for a county of about one million residents in which 70 percent hold library cards. It's even worse across the river, in Fairfax County, Virgina, where libraries were declared a "discretionary" service while cutting 30 of 54 full-time librarians. Libraries discretionary? That's nuts.

These are only some of the stories. They are being repeated endlessly across the country, perhaps even where you live. Some places put a high value on their libraries. Contrast the $29 million of my county for the $51 million library budget in Seattle, a city of about 600,000. Sure, Seattle needed to cut the library budget, but the fact that they started out much higher than my home says something about their priorities. Sadly, Seattle is the exception, not the rule. READ MORE !

Happy National Library Week

Day In the District: April 16 2010

Day in the District
April 16, 2010

Please plan to join CLA, the California School Library Association, and your fellow Library Advocates for Day in the District on Friday, April 16th 2010!

This year, our Associations will schedule visits with legislators in their local district offices throughout the state. These Day in the District meetings will provide a great opportunity to educate your legislators and their aides about the importance of libraries within their respective jurisdictions.

About Day in the District
Day in the District is an annual statewide library advocacy event in which library supporters meet with elected officials within their local offices throughout California.

If you are interested in helping set up legislative meetings, please contact Kevin Kilkenny, CLA Legislative Coordinator, at 916-233-3298 or kevink@cla-net.org. Otherwise, click here for information on how to register for an appointment with your legislator.

Helpful Documents
Below are a list of documents will assist you in delivering your message about the importance of libraries within elected officials' respective communities:
~ Register for an Appointment with Your Legislator~ Talking Points
~ Tips for Lobbying Your Legislator
~ Funds by Assembly District
~ Funds by Senate District

Newport Beach Library: Gift of Literacy Luncheon

Gift of Literacy – Author Luncheon

April 30, 2010

11:30 am – 2:30 pm

Radisson Hotel

4545 MacArthur Blvd – Newport Beach

Can you imagine not being able to read? A surprising number of individuals in our community cannot read signs, write checks, let alone read a newspaper.

The Newport Beach Public Library’s Literacy Program is working to change that. Please join us at this wonderful luncheon where your participation will help us help them to be productive and successful in their lives, at home, at work, and in the community.

This year’s event will feature two bestselling authors:
María Amparo Escandón and Sonia Nazario.

Escandón is the author of the bestselling novels, Esperanza’s Box of Saints, and Gonzalez and Daughter Trucking Co.: A Road Novel with Literary License. Both Newsweek and the Los Angeles Times named her the “Writer to Watch” in 1999 and 2000. She also teaches fiction writing at UCLA Extension.

Nazario has spent twenty years reporting and writing about social issues, most recently as a projects reporter for the Los Angeles Times. Her stories have tackled some of this country’s most intractable problems: hunger, drug addiction, immigration. Her book, Enrique’s Journey, which became a national bestseller and won two book awards, was based on her Pulitzer Prize winning series in the Los Angeles Times.

$75 per person; $100 for a seat at one of the Authors’ Tables

Books will be available for purchase and signing.
A silent auction and raffle prizes will be held.

Purchase tickets online click here

Phone: 949-717-3874

Mail: Send checks payable to Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy

Newport Beach Public Library

1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach, CA 92660

All proceeds from the event will help fund the Newport Beach Public Library Literacy Services program which serves approximately 150 adult learners annually with free literacy instruction, including one-on-one tutoring, writing workshops, conversation classes and other programs designed to develop the literacy skills of adults and empower them to achieve greater success in their lives – at home, at work, and in the community.