International
Literacy Day promotes computer, language tutoring for residents
Imperial Valley Press: 9.09.2014 by Krista
Daly
Holtville resident Guadalupe Charles had never turned on a
computer before Monday.
After an hour-long one-on-one tutoring session at the
Holtville Meyer Memorial Branch of the Imperial County Free Library, he knew the
basics such as how to use the mouse and navigate through the computer to get
online and use different websites. Charles was just one resident learning
computer literacy on International Literacy Day.
“Literacy is not just Spanish or English,” library
volunteer Thomas Rose said. “It ties in with adult literacy if you’re
computer-illiterate.”
Rose said he has been teaching people in their 50s or 60s
computer skills because they want to learn how to use it for their everyday lives.
This includes ordering things online and sending e-mails to family or friends.
“We are now in the computer age, and I need to learn,” said
Troy Spore, who has been in tutoring lessons for about four months. “I’ve
picked up quite a bit, but there’s still a lot to learn.”
County Librarian Connie Barrington said literacy is a
crucial issue in the Valley.
“We’ve got hundreds … of people who want to improve their
reading, writing and conversations in English,” she said.
As a volunteer tutor herself, she said it’s “literally the
most rewarding thing” she has done. Volunteers are desperately needed for the
literacy program, she said, which can make such a difference in people’s lives. READ MORE !
