Grand Park's Downtown Bookfest: March 29

GRAND PARK’S DOWNTOWN BOOKFEST

March 29, 2014 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

READ YOUR HEART OUT in Downtown LA! Grand Park is the place to see, hear and read from the largest coalition of Los Angeles-based authors and publishers in a day for book lovers both big and small.

Grand Park  -  200 North Grand Avenue

FREE

FOR ALL BOOK LOVERS:

• Add a line of your genius to The World’s Longest Story by 826LA or draw in characters in a monster massive comic book by RYMAN ARTS.
• Receive your very own poem-on-demand by POESIA PARA LA GENTE*
• You think YOU love books? Meet and greet librarians from the LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY.
• Remember typewriters? Roll up your sleeves and let your fingers to the talking with PUBLISH! POETICS
• Shop the local pop-up bookshop curated by WRIT LARGE PRESS and discover books, zines and literary gems written by LAs finest (**see complete listing below).
• Visit with MUSIC CENTER ON TOUR artist Judith Helton as she brings literary blasts from the past to life by portraying Laura Ingalls Wilder and Beatrix Potter.
• Grab some goodies from THE LIBRARY STORE on wheels.
• Be “zine” and heard by making your own! L.A. ZINE FEST shows you how.
• Try a lucky spin at COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY‘s Wheel of Reading, giving out prizes throughout the day!
• Don’t forget to bring your books for Grand Park’s wee library system – the LITTLE LIBRARIES. Find’em, fill’em, love’em!
• …and more!

ONSTAGE:

NOON: BIRDIE’S PLAYHOUSE, music with a Latin twist that gets kids to shake their tail feathers!

1PM: STORY PIRATES, a one-of-a-kind sketch comedy musical based entirely on stories by children, including those written by Grand Park kids.

2-3PM YOUNG ADULT LIT READINGS: Cecil Castellucci / Lissa Price / Sherri L. Smith / Sonya Sone

3-3:30PM READ/BEATS: Steve Abee / Gia Scott-Heron / Billy Burgos / Jessica Ceballos

3:30-4PM UNION STATION 75th ANNIVERSARY readings: ”A Station Made of Paper” by David Kipen / “Union Station Today: Making Cultural Connections” by Alissa Walker / “Union Station: Time and Again” by D.J. Waldie / “Train of Thought” by Marisela Norte

4-5PM PULP WRITERS OF COLOR “Lament in the Night:” Naomi Hirahara / Desiree Zamarano / Rachel Howzell Hall / Steph Cha / Gary Phillips / Ruben Rodriguez

*POESIA PARA LA GENTE INCLUDE: Vickie Vertiz, Kenji Liu, Jessica Wilson Cardenas, Juan Cardenas, Yago S. Cura, Brandon Brown, Peggy Dobreer, Iris De Anda, Wendy C. Ortiz, Billy Burgos, Khadija Anderson, Dane Baylis, Amanda Yates Garcia, Gloria Enedina Alvarez, Victor Avila, Bill Friday, Nikita Egar, Rebecca Gonzales, Corrie Greathouse, Xitlalic Guijosa-Osuna, June Kim, Mia Kim, Karineh Mahdessian, Crystal “Little Bird” Salas, Fernando Salinas, Elena Secota, Matt Sedillo, Kelly Grace Thomas, Daniel Austin Warren, Conney Williams, Steve Abee, Jessica Ceballos

LOCAL POP UP BOOKSHOP TO FEATURE: Les Figues Press, What Books, Kaya Press, Writ Large Press, Gatsby Books, Seite Books, Razorcake/Gorsky Books, Zero+ Publishing, Bank Heavy Press, Red Hen Press, RE)VERB, ANTENNA, DUM DUM Zine, ZOCHI, Tía Chucha Press, Siglio Press, Rare Bird Lit, Bombshelter Press, The Rattling Wall, Spout Hill Press, Orange Monkey, Boss Fight Books, Electric Travel Books, RCC MUSE, Seismicity Books, ICI Press, Giant Robot

METRO RED or PURPLE LINE TO CIVIC CENTER/GRAND PARK STATION, GOLD LINE TO LITTLE TOKYO/ARTS DISTRICT STATION.

SCLLN Library Literacy Tutor Workshop Calendar: April 2014

SCLLN Literacy Tutor Workshop Calendar: April 2014

For Local, California and National

Literacy or Library Conferences and Events

visit the

Southern California Library Literacy Network

Calendar

Financial Literacy Month

National Library Week: April 13-19

Apr. 2 Literacy Tutor Training - Newport Beach Library 9a

Apr. 3 Literacy Tutor Orientation - South Bay Literacy Torrance Library 7p

Apr. 7 How to Help a Struggling Reader - Downey Library 6:30p

Apr. 8 Literacy Tutor Orientation - Carlsbad Library 12N

Apr. 8 Literacy Tutor Orientation - Orange Co Library READ/OC 1p

Apr. 8 Literacy Tutor Training - San Bernardino Co Library Barstow 3p

Apr. 8 Literacy Learner Orientation - READ/San Diego Library 5:45p

Apr. 8 Literacy Tutor Orientation - Orange County Library READ/OC 6p

Apr. 10 Literacy Tutor Training - READ/San Diego Library 6p

Apr. 12 Literacy Tutor Workshop- Whittier Literacy Council 9a

Apr. 12  Literacy Tutor Training = San Bernardino Co Yucaipa Library 9a

Apr. 14  Literacy Tutor Training = San Bernardino Co Wrightwood Library 3p

Apr. 17 Literacy Tutor Orientation - Carlsbad Library 6p

Apr. 17  Literacy Tutor Training = San Bernardino Co Highland Library 10a

Apr. 17  Literacy Tutor Training = San Bernardino Co Adelanto Library 4p

Apr. 19  Literacy Tutor Training = San Bernardino Co Fontana Library 10a

Apr. 19  Literacy Tutor Training = San Bernardino Co Chino Library 10a

Apr. 19  Literacy Tutor Training = San Bernardino Co Yucca Valley Library 9a

Apr. 24 Literacy Learner Training - READ/San Diego Library 9:45a

Apr. 26 Literacy Tutor Workshop - Orange Co Library READ/OC 9a

Apr. 26 Literacy Tutor Training - San Diego Laubach 9:30a

Apr. 27 Walk Run READ FunRaiser - Huntington Beach Library

Apr. 26  Literacy Tutor Training = San Bernardino Co Apple Valley Library 10a

Apr. 26  Literacy Tutor Training = San Bernardino Co 29 Palms Library 10a

Info about local Tutor Training Workshops is always Scrolling in the Right Frame.

California Librarians Irked By Governor’s Appointment - Greg Lucas

California librarians irked by governor’s appointment

Cal Coast News: 3.26.2014

California Governor Jerry Brown appointed a politically connected journalist to the position of state librarian, frustrating librarians across California. [LA Times]

“A former reporter? What the hell? said Librarians’ Guild President Roy B. Stone. “I’m tired of political appointments everywhere you go for everything.”

California Education Code states that the state librarian should be a technically trained librarian.

Brown’s appointment, Greg Lucas, formerly reported on politics for the San Francisco Chronicle. Since 2011, he has served as the senior editor for Sacramento website Capitol Weekly. He also writes and edits for California’s Capitol, a website he created.

Lucas, 55, is the son of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Malcolm Lucas and the husband of Donna Lucas, a political strategist and former top aide for governors Arnold Schwarzenegger and George Deukmejian.

The state librarian receives $142,968 annually. Job duties include overseeing the State Library, collecting and preserving historical items and providing technical and financial assistance to local libraries.

Lucas must receive senate confirmation to secure the position.

Beaumont Library - Locals Compete in SCLLN "Writer To Writer" Challenge

Locals compete in Southern California Libraries “Writer to Writer” contest

Record Gazette: 3.21.2014 by Julie Farren

Beaumont residents Blanca Flores and Amatul Mohiuddin are very proud of being first runners-up in the Southern California Libraries “Writer to Writer’’ contest.

Both women are in the Adult Literacy Program at the Beaumont Library and are being individually tutored on their writing and reading skills.

They entered the contest in December 2013 under the guidance of Lucy Sims, adult literacy program manager at the Beaumont Library.

Flores, 45, and Mohiuddin, who did not want her age disclosed, were among 47 entrants in the contest, which featured Southern California residents.

They learned in February that they were winners. Flores and Mohiuddin attended the main event with Sims on March 8 in Buena Park.

The categories include: Emerging, Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Writers.

Flores, from Mexico, has been in the Adult Literacy program for five years, Mohiuddin, from India, for three years.

This is Flores’ second year entering the contest, but the first for Mohiuddin.

Flores chose to write an essay on the book “Skinny,’’ which addresses the issue of weight and teen-age girls. In her essay, Flores spoke about trying to understand her daughter’s feelings about her weight.

“You have to be touched by the book before you write about it,” said Flores, runner- up in the Advanced Writers category. Flores is married with two children, ages 10 and 9. She moved to the United States in 1996.

.     .     .     .     .     .     .

Mohiuddin, runner up in the Beginners category, wrote an essay based on the book, “A Thousand Splendid Suns,’’ which tells the story of three Afghanistan women – Miriam, Laila and Aziza, who are in different stages of their lives. But what they have in common is not enough freedom or a lot of education.

Reading about these women opened up Mohiuddin’s eyes about living in America. Mohiuddin, who is married and has three children ages 12, 9, and 6, moved to the United States in 1995.  READ MORE !

"Libraries are Beautiful - Inside and Out" National Library Week Photo Contest

"Libraries are Beautiful - Inside and Out"
National Library Week Photo Contest

Gale Celebrates Upcoming National Library Week with "Libraries are Beautiful!" Photo Contest
PR Newswire: 3.19.2014

In celebration of National Library Week April 13-19, Gale, part of Cengage Learning and a leading publisher of research and education resources for libraries, schools and businesses, is calling all library lovers to show how their library makes their community a more beautiful place-physically or metaphorically.

1: Submit a high resolution digital photo and 250 word write-up at Cengage

2: All U.S. libraries can be nominated to win.

Nominations can be submitted by library staff, friends and users.

3: Submissions will be accepted March 19 - 28.
Winners will be announced during National Library Week in April.

To enter, library staff, students or patrons need only to submit a picture of the nominated library along with a short write-up for any of the 5 award categories. One "Best of Category" winner will be selected per category and will receive $500. One grand prize winner will be awarded "Best in Show" and take home $2,500. Categories include:
. Most Unique Structure/Art Installation: Is there a particular piece of art or sculpture that's always a topic of conversation at your library? Then please, show and tell. 
. Greatest Historical Treasure: Whether it's your building itself or something within your collections, share its story and historical significance.
. Most Modern Architecture: There is nothing wrong with tradition but show off your twenty-first century look.
. Coolest Internal Space: From a whimsical children's space to a hip teen area, tech hub or academic retreat, show why students and patrons are flocking to enter and reluctant to leave.
. Best Curb Appeal: Show us what your library looks like from the road and why it's making people stop in their tracks.

Cengage Learning is a leading educational content, software and services company, empowering educators and driving learner engagement through personalized services and course-driven digital solutions that bridge from the library to the classroom. Gale, part of Cengage Learning, serves the world's information and education needs through its vast and dynamic content pools, which are used by students and consumers in their libraries, schools and on the Internet.

Support Library Funding: Contact your U.S. Senators and Reps Today

Support Library Funding

Contact your U.S. Senators and Reps Today

District Dispatch: 3.19.2014 by Jeffrey Kratz

Please contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives 

by going to the Legislative Action Center and urge them to support funding in FY 2015 for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL).

There are currently two letters circulating in the House of Representatives and the Senate. One letter (a letter in the House and a in the Senate) is asking for support of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) in the FY 2015 Appropriations bill. The other letter (a letter in the House and a in the Senate) is asking for support for the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) program also in the FY 2015 Appropriations bill. To find out if your legislators have signed one of the letters this year, view this chart (pdf). If not please contact him/her and encourage them to do so. If your Senator or Representative has signed one of these letters, please thank him/her for their support of libraries.

Read below for some background information on LSTA and IAL.

LSTA

Is the primary source of annual funding for libraries in the federal budget.  The bulk of this program is a population-based grant funded to each state through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Each state determines how they will allocate their LSTA funds, often relying upon this money to provide job searching databases, resume workshops, summer reading projects, and so much more. In addition, LSTA also supports:

•Native American and Native Hawaiian Library Services to support improved access to library services for Native Americans, Alaska Native Villages, and Native Hawaiians

•National Leadership Grants to support activities of national significance that enhances the quality of library services nationwide and provide coordination between libraries and museums

•Laura Bush 21st Century Librarians which is used to help develop and promote the next generation of librarians.

IAL

From 2002 to 2010, the Improving Literacy through School Libraries program had been the primary source of federal funding for school libraries. However, in recent years the President and U.S. Congress have consolidated or zero-funded this program. ALA gives a special thanks to Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Thad Cochran (R-MS) who recognized that school libraries need a direct funding source in the federal budget. In FY 2012, through report language in the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill, the two redirected money to the U.S. Department of Education to create the IAL program.

With Improving Literacy through School Libraries being defunded, IAL has taken over as the primary source of federal funding for school libraries.  Focusing on low income schools, these funds help many schools bring their school libraries up to standards. This money is not enough to help every school library, but it does help some with updating materials and equipment, allowing children from disadvantaged areas to have opportunities to become college and career ready.

World Storytelling Day: March 20

World Storytelling Day: March 20

World Storytelling Day is a global celebration of the art of oral storytelling. It is celebrated every year on the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere, the first day of autumn equinox in the southern. On World Storytelling Day, as many people as possible tell and listen to stories in as many languages and at as many places as possible, during the same day and night. Participants tell each other about their events in order to share stories and inspiration, to learn from each other and create international contacts.

If you are on Twitter, tweet about 2014 events with the #WSD14 hashtag!

Each year, many of the individual storytelling events that take place around the globe are linked by a common theme. Each year, the theme is identified by and agreed upon by storytellers from around the world on the worldstorytellingday listserv.

•2014 - Monsters and Dragons
•2015 - Wishes