Demand for adult literacy rises as funding threatened - Corona Library - Hemet Library

Demand for adult literacy rises as funding threatened
Press Enterprise: 2.23.11 by Dayna Straehley

John Zickefoose's interest in education and literacy is personal.

After struggling with dyslexia and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder from elementary through high school, he finally turned for help to the library where he now works.

He was 35 years old and could no longer work in his home-repair business because he needed back surgery and a new career. His 7-year-old son read better than he could.

So 17 years ago he walked in the Corona Library and embarked on a journey of literacy.

Today, Zickefoose is on the board of an international literacy organization and the Corona-Norco Unified School District. He is outreach coordinator at the Corona Public Library.

"I owe my life to this library," he said. "It totally transformed me as a human being."

Such transformations could become more elusive as governments struggle to balance the budgets. Demand for adult literacy services in the Inland area is higher than ever, but funding cuts threaten the programs run from public libraries.

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Gov. Jerry Brown's proposed budget would eliminate the $4.5 million the state provides to adult literacy programs such as the one at Corona's library.

Inland coordinators don't know how they will keep their programs going without state money.

"For every $1 of state funds, $4 of private donations are leveraged," said David Harvey, president and CEO of ProLiteracy. The international organization supports programs at the local level. It offers advocacy assistance as well as reading materials for adult learners.

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SMALL BUDGET, BIG RESULTS

Lori Eastman, literacy coordinator for Hemet Public Library Adult Literacy Services, said Zickefoose's beginning on the road to literacy is typical, although he has gone further than most. Adults are most often in their 30s or 40s, forced to make a career change and embarrassed because they can't help their children, she said.

Four adult learners in Hemet echoed many of the same frustrations that brought them to seek help learning to read and write better, although they wouldn't give their full names because they too are embarrassed about their disabilities. They said they wanted to help their children with their schoolwork and set a better example. They told of lifelong learning difficulties.

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Eastman said the city of Hemet supplements the $30,000 that comes from the state. Supplies come from donations and fundraisers, she said.

Corona Library Director Julie Frederickson said she is hopeful that community donors and the city will keep the literacy program afloat if state funding is cut.

Harvey was less optimistic.

He said the state funds are seed money for all of the libraries' and literacy programs' fundraising efforts.

"The private sector is never going to be able to replace the publicly funded core," Harvey said. READ MORE !

Save California Library Literacy Funding: Feb 23 Update

SAVE PUBLIC LIBRARY FUNDING !
Letters, Phone Calls, Faxes, Emails

February 22 - March 1

Budget Conference Committees to meet for the next 6 days before going to a potential vote on the Floor by the end of next week.

Gov Brown hopes to have a final spending proposal before the full Legislature by March 10.

Senate Budget Comm: Leno/Huff
Assembly Budget Comm: Blumenfield/Nielsen
Senate Appropriations Comm: Kehoe/Walters
Assembly Appropriations Comm: Fuentes/Harkey

This morning (CLA Blog), Budget Conference Committee Chairman, Bob Blumenfield noted that the BCC would attempt to meet for 6 days only, with a potential vote on the Floors by the end of next week. In your letters or phone calls, please request the following action of the Conferees:

"I respectfully urge your support of the Assembly Version of the Budget, pertaining to the three issues in the State Library Budget: the California Library Services Act, the Public Library Foundation, and the California Library Literacy Services program."

In your calls and letters please indicate why elimination of these programs (per the Senate version) would:

1) destroy the cooperative lending and loaning system of books and materials in California,

2) could lead to a system where non-residents are denied access to library materials or asked to pay for a library card costing upwards of $100,

3) would put in jeopardy almost $17 million in corresponding federal funds,

4) deny literacy services to more than 20,000 adult learners annually who potentially would have no other alternative for seeking these services locally, and

5) denies local assistance dollars for libraries who have already suffered mightily with the state and local funding cuts over the past few years.

[Please refer to any of these issues that are most important for your particular area of interest]

Faxes, Phone Calls, Letters and e-mails are Most Important !

on February 18, 2011
Assembly: Recommended Minimal Cuts
Senate: Recomemended Elimination of all Funding

Save California Public Library and Literacy Funding

CA Budget UPDATE: Assembly Minimal Cuts - Senate Eliminate All Funds

ASSEMBLY PROPOSES ONLY MINIMAL CUTS; THE SENATE RECOMMENDS ELIMINATION OF ALL FUNDS
CLA Blog: 2.18.11 by Mike Dillon & Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

ASSEMBLY PROPOSES MINIMAL CUTS TO LIBRARY PROGRAMS:

Today, the Assembly Budget Committee made a strong statement in favor of the protection of the California Library Services Act and the Public Library Foundation by reducing these two programs that were proposed for complete elimination ($12.9 million and $12.9 million respectively) by only $1.5 million each. The Committee recommendation leaves intact the $4.6 million in funding for the California Library Literacy Program [English Acquisition and Literacy Program].

The official action the Assembly Budget Committee took today relative to the library funding is as follows:

"California State Library. Reductions. Reduces the magnitude of reductions to preserve the English Acquisition and Literacy Program, and reduces the Public Library Foundation and the California Library Services Act by $1.5 million each."

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The vote on the proposed action today was on a strict party-line vote, with all Democrats voting "aye" and Republicans voting "no."

SENATE PROPOSES ELIMINATION OF ALL $30.4 MILLION IN LIBRARY FUNDING

In stark contrast to the action by the Assembly today, yesterday the Senate Budget Committee voted to approve most of the Governor's Budget proposals "as is," including the proposed action relative to the CLSA, PLF, and literacy funding. The Senate's action adopts the Governor's proposal to totally eliminate the three library programs, for a scoring of $30.4 million.

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The Senate Budget Chair, Mark Leno stated, "This is not an easy decision for us and one that we need to take seriously." A member of the Committee then quickly made the motion to "support the Governor's proposal." Senators Lois Wolk, Joe Simitian, and Education Budget Subcommittee Chair Senator Carol Liu, all abstained from the vote. We were intrigued that there was no debate on the issue, which signaled to us that the vote was a larger statement about the Senate's intention to work with the Governor, make hard choices, and to continue the discussions regarding painful cuts to programs such as the libraries.

NEXT STEPS - ITEMS HEAD TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

Due to the different actions between the two houses relative to the library programs and their funding levels, this will force these three issues into "Conference Committee."

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Due to the truncated process this year, however, the Budget Conference Committee will begin meeting next week, likely on Wednesday. We will be waiting for official word from the Assembly Speaker and Senate President pro Tem regarding who the conferees will be and then we will give you instructions on how to contact these key legislators from each house. READ MORE !

SAVE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC LIBRARY FUNDING ! - Let-Them-Eat-Cake-Attitude Threatens to Destroy a Network of Public Assets

Let-Them-Eat-Cake-Attitude Threatens to Destroy a Network of Public Assets
Huffington Post: 2.15.11 by Scott Turow (President, Authors Guild)

While our economy seems to be slowly staggering back to its feet, state and municipal governments remain hard-hit as the result of lost tax revenues, lost stimulus money and pension fund payments that have grown to monstrous size to make up for the market losses of 2007 and 2008. Those governments are cutting everywhere they can and public libraries nationwide have been one of the biggest and least deserved losers in the process.

Widespread public access to knowledge, like public education, is one of the pillars of our democracy, a guarantee that we can maintain a well-informed citizenry.

But libraries seem to be losing out in the funding battles, due, in part, to the mistaken belief that they are somehow anachronistic in an age when so many Americans have instant computer access to information through the Internet. This is, frankly, a let-them-eat-cake-attitude that threatens to destroy a network of public assets that remains critical in our country.

Millions of Americans simply cannot afford to replace what libraries have traditionally offered for free -- access to books, computers and research assistance. Ironically, the importance of these services is even greater in a time of economic uncertainty.

For Americans facing job losses, working to gain new skills and seeking assistance in an increasingly digital world, U.S. public libraries are first responders. Two-thirds of libraries report they provide the only free access to computers and the Internet in their communities. Libraries function as crucial technology hubs, not merely for free Web access, but those who need computer training and assistance.

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For example, in California, Governor Brown's new proposed budget decreases General Fund assistance for public libraries by $30.4 million, eliminating the California Library Services Act, Public Library Foundation and the California Library Literacy and English Acquisition Services -- that is, access, resource sharing and adult literacy. In Texas, the cuts are even more stark, with the new budget proposing complete elimination of several programs that have either provided direct aid to libraries or irreplaceable programs, like those that created shared databases. Even in my own community, a small city on the northern edge of Chicago where a major university sits, my neighbors and I have been struggling to save a small branch library that was pivotal to the education of many neighborhood kids.

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I count myself as one of millions of Americans whose life simply would not be the same without the libraries that supported my learning. We cannot take that opportunity away from so many Americans who need that help urgently now. READ MORE !

Redlands Library - Literacy tutors help adults to improve their reading and writing

Literacy tutors help adults to improve their reading and writing
Redlands Daily Facts: 2.10.11
by Katherine Gifford (Volunteer Literacy)

Imagine receiving a Valentine from your child and not being able to read its sentiments.

"There is no age limit to learning to read and write," said Trudy Waldron, volunteer literacy coordinator for the Redlands Adult Literacy Program.

Recently, the Friends of the Library reactivated an adult literacy program as a core service at the library. The mission of the Redlands Adult Literacy Program is to provide professional one-on-one tutoring in reading and writing to adults, 18 years and older, seeking help in the community. The service to adult learners is confidential and free.

Diana Sommer, one of the literacy tutors, recently retired from teaching and working with International Students at the University of Redlands.

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The community should know how much adult literacy is needed. "Learners are not alone and help is available," Sommer said.

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The next tutor orientation meeting is scheduled at 6 p.m. March 14, at the A.K. Smiley Library Assembly Room. If you are interested in volunteering or would like assistance in reading or writing, please contact a volunteer literacy coordinator at 909-798-7565 ext. 4138. READ MORE !

Ventura Co Library - County literacy program could lose state funding

County literacy program could lose state funding
VC Star: 2.11.11 by Kevin Clerici

A Ventura County literacy program that teaches some 250 adults to read each year would lose funding under the governor's proposed budget, and backers have launched a letter-writing campaign to legislators to try to minimize the cut.

Because the free tutoring program is staffed almost entirely by volunteers, it costs only about $35,000 a year to operate, making it cost-effective, proponents say.

Lack of literacy is the No. 1 cause of the high school dropout problem, experts say. People with low literacy skills typically are underemployed, pay less in taxes and need more public services. And families in which a parent reads poorly are more likely to have children with low literacy skills.

"These adult learners typically have no place else to turn for help," said Carol Chapman, literacy program manager.

Private instruction can be costly, she added. One learner sought private help and after completing an assessment was told it would cost him $8,000 in instruction to become proficient, Chapman said. In contrast, the county tutoring is all free and takes place in libraries, schools and community and jail facilities throughout the county.

Gov. Jerry Brown's proposed budget calls for the elimination of funding for public libraries ($30.4 million) and statewide literacy services ($4.6 million), except for the state library itself. It represents a tiny fraction of his plan to close a $26.5 billion shortfall.

Ventura County's library system received $150,000 in state funds last year to share among its 14 branches, as well as the $35,000 for literacy tutoring.

That's a far cry from the amount received during rosier fiscal years. In 2000, local libraries received $1.2 million from the state, records show.

Jackie Griffin, the county's chief librarian, believes if the state money is eliminated, the chances of getting it back in better economic times will be greatly reduced.

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The county library system has been offering the tutoring service since 1984, among the first to join the California Literacy Campaign. Additional funding over the years has come from collaborative agreements with the Ventura and Oxnard adult schools, various cities and the Sheriff's Department. State grants and donations from businesses and service organizations also have helped, but contributions have slowed due to the economy.

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Supporters hold annual fundraising events — the Gold Coast Ride for Literacy in April as well as the Trivia Challenge, which collectively raise about $3,000 to $6,000 each year. There is talk of doing more.

"We are open to all possibilities," Chapman said. READ MORE !

Santa Maria Library - Governor’s budget plan putting literacy on the line

Governor’s budget plan putting literacy on the line
Santa Maria Times: February 10, 2011 by Brian Bullock

When Eduardo Leyva moved to Santa Maria from Guadalajara a year and a half ago, he had never heard of Gov. Jerry Brown. But now he has a message for the newly elected governor: “Leave library programs alone.”

The governor’s 2011-12 budget proposal could completely eliminate state spending on public libraries, which could eliminate adult literacy programs.

Leyva, 25, is just one example of how such programs improve the lives of its residents.

When he arrived in town, the ambitious Leyva found a job washing dishes at a local restaurant, but he wanted more. He wanted to become a server at the restaurant, but his English wasn’t good enough to get him the job.

So Leyva went to the Central Coast Literacy Council, which provides tutoring services at the Santa Maria Public Library and several other study centers around the valley. Since then, he has worked two days a week with tutor Debbi Barclay to smooth out his rough, choppy English.

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According to the California Library Association, Leyva is one of more than 20,000 adults who participate in similar programs throughout the state. They are new immigrants or people who never finished their education.

The National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL), last conducted in 2003, claims there are 11 million adults in the country who aren’t literate.

In that assessment, 22 percent of adults in Santa Barbara County were classified as below basic, meaning they could not perform such simple tasks as signing a form or adding numbers on a bank deposit slip.

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Leyva’s success is the perfect example of that. Emboldened by his success in the program, Leyva joined thousands of students across the state in writing letters to the governor supporting adult literacy programs, something he would have never considered before working with Barclay.

Now that Leyva has achieved his first goal of becoming a server, his next is to help others.

“We feel very happy having this kind of program here,” he said. “Next I want to become a tutor, like Debbi, helping people who need a little hand. I remember that once I was one of those people who needed help.” READ MORE !