Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Orange Co Library :: Congratulations: Anita Taillon READ/OC Honoree :: 2015 Spirit of Volunteerism Award!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ANITA TAILLON READ/OC
HONOREE FOR THE 2015 SPIRIT OF VOLUNTEERISM AWARD!
READ Writes: April 2015

The path Anita has taken to becoming READ/OC’s star volunteer for the 2015 Spirit of Volunteerism Award was an unusual one. Most volunteers start out as literacy tutors, but Anita first came to READ/OC in 2006 to assist at a single event, the Annual Family Picnic and Appreciation Celebration.

Since that time, Anita’s dedication to supporting the READ/OC volunteers has steadily grown.  She is now both Vice President and co-Treasurer of the Friends of READ/OC, as well as the Chair of the Friends’ most active committee in charge of recognition activities.  Although she has never been a tutor herself, Anita shows great understanding and enthusiasm in supporting the program, the adult learners, and their tutors.  Her organizational skills and artistic talents have become legendary at the annual Family Picnic and Fall Feast appreciation events.

In addition, she helps ensure the program receives steady material and operational support throughout the year. Anita’s humor, insight, and dedication make her a truly extraordinary volunteer.

On April 14, Anita was honored at the Spirit of Volunteerism awards luncheon for her exceptional volunteer commitment to READ/Orange County and the Friends of READ/OC, as well as her endless enthusiasm, creativity, and dedication for helping other adults and their families grow and thrive through lifelong learning and literacy.

APRIL - A MONTH TO CELEBRATE VOLUNTEERS

We are grateful for each and every READ/OC tutor, adult learner, and the dedicated Friends of READ/OC!  These life-changing literacy services would not be possible without our volunteers: tutors, learners, their family members, along with members of the community, library staff, and staff of other community programs and agencies.  All of them work together to support lifelong learning and encourage adults throughout the county to engage in a learning partnership at home, at work, and within the community.

Many READ/OC volunteers are engaged in several different volunteer efforts in their communities, as well as through their jobs, churches, and other service organizations. With each endeavor, learning, friendships, and a sense of community is shared and celebrated.  If you know someone who is seeking a worthwhile volunteer experience such as yours, encourage them to volunteer with READ/OC and Friends of READ/OC!  If they enjoy reading and learning, tell them about the incredible learning adventures that await them as a tutor/learning partner, as a Friend of READ/OC or as a volunteer at their library. The experience will change lives and communities!

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

San Diego Public Library :: READ San Diego : : Tutor Conference - June 13

25th Annual Tutor Conference
June 13, 2015
8 am – 4:30 pm
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice
University of San Diego
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Dr. Howard Liebman
founder of Smart Horizons Career Online Education

June 8: Early Registration rate of $35
After June 9, the registration fee is $45.

Join literacy tutors, teachers and literacy professionals for a day of informative, enjoyable, hands-on workshops. The conference features 24 workshops that focus on strategies for teaching vocabulary, grammar, word recognition, online resources and technical tools for tutors, phonics, reading comprehension, math, ESL, and GED preparation.

A catered luncheon will be served between the strands and will feature keynote speaker Dr. Howard Liebman's presentation "Better Understanding and Addressing Educational Trauma to Re-Engage Students Back into the Educational System."

Comprehension Practice :: Meaning Through Strategic Thinking
Comparative Approach :: Teaching Phonics
Knowing a Word v. Owning a Word
Tutoring Tips @ Your Fingertips
Paving the Way :: Workplace Readiness
. . . and More !

For more information, call (619) 238-6603 or check out the Brochure.

Friday, May 22, 2015

Orange Co Library : : Two READ/OC Learners Honored For Their Writing!

Book & Author Celebration:
Two READ/OC Learners Honored For Their Writing!
READ Writes: April 2015

California State Librarian, Greg Lucas, congratulates READ/OC Learners Karen and Maria for their winning entries in the annual “Writer-to-Writer competition hosted by the Southern California Library Literacy Network.  Maria and Karen chose books to read with their tutors, Mikelle Fish and Susan Gregory.

Then, with their tutors’ encouragements, each wrote a letter to the author of the book they read.  Then their letters were submitted to the “Writer-to-Writer” competition and were selected by the judging panel to be recognized, along with other learners from Southern California Library Literacy programs.

READ/OC also congratulates all of the READ/OC learners and tutors who participated in this year’s annual “Writer-To-Writer” opportunity. Much appreciation also goes to Friends of READ/OC for their continued support of such encouraging, learning adventures, as “Writer-To-Writer,” to be possible for READ/OC learners and their tutors.

Read Karen's Letter

Hatchet







Read Maria's Letter

Diary of a
Young Girl









Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Los Angeles Public Library : : It's A Match - Helen’s Story & Edward’s Story

It’s a Match Part I
Helen’s Story & Edward’s Story
READ: Spring 2015


Helen’s Story by Tutor Helen Williams

Good attitude, persistence and dedication made me become a tutor.  I learned when I was five years old to take responsibility for my own success in reading; being an African American living in South Central Los Angeles, it would be a challenge. A tutor should be able to answer most of your questions without taking too much time to come up with an answer, but sometimes it is necessary to consult a textbook for the correct answer.  A tutor should be able to provide an alternate explanation in your reading, if the first explanation is unclear. I hope that with the knowledge I have, I will be able to help a person with their literacy problems and make a positive difference in their life.

Edward’s Story by Learner Edward Smith

I came to the Adult Literacy Program to improve my basic reading and writing skills.  Before I came to the Adult Literacy Program, emotionally I felt like I was in an enclosed box! June Brandon introduced me to my tutor, Helen Williams.  The first assignment I learned was vocabulary and how to use the dictionary.  Ms. Helen said “This learning process will not happen overnight”.  I learned phonics, spelling and how to “sound out” a word when I was reading, being able to identify a sound and then blend these sounds together to form the word. My personal goals are to vote, learn to use the computer and to get a job. Today I’m not in an emotional box, I’m out of the box.  I have more confidence in myself.

Monday, May 18, 2015

Redlands Library : : Literacy Fundraiser - May 21 ' RUMORS'

Fundraiser : : May 21 @ 8 pm
Wine & Appetizers @ 7 pm
Neil Simon’s  : : :  Rumors


Tickets for the evening are $25 per person.

A.K. Smiley Public Library
125 W. Vine St.
Redlands, CA

Governor Releases “May Revision” of Budget : : $2M for Literacy | $1.7M for Broadband

Governor Releases “May Revision” of Budget:
Funding Provided for Broadband Project & Literacy Program
CLA News From the Capitol: 5.14.2015 by Mike Dillon, Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

This morning in a press conference at the State Capitol, Governor Brown released his “May Revision” of the 2015-16 State Budget.  Included among the Governor’s proposals for new spending is a recommended increase of $2 million for the state literacy program and an increase of $1.7 million for the library broadband project for connection grants and related costs.

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Recognizing the Governor’s fiscal prudence and the limited available General Funds, CLA is pleased that the Governor has provided additional funding for two important public library programs.  Below is the proposal for new library spending under the Governor’s May Revision of the Budget:

· Literacy Program – An increase of $2 million General Fund for the Literacy and English Acquisition Services Program.  As described in the Governor’s Budget proposal for adult education, the Administration’s focus remains on increasing the resources available to improve the skills of California’s workforce, and it is expected that literacy programs funded with these resources will be coordinated with the adult education consortia.

· Broadband Project – An increase of $1.7 million General Fund for the California Public Library Broadband Project, including $1.5 million on a one-time basis for grants to public libraries to upgrade broadband equipment and $225,000 General Fund for continued administration of contracts for broadband services.

· Library Preservation Activities – An increase of $521,000 General Fund to improve the [State] library’s efforts to preserve historical items in its possession, including $181,000 ongoing for two additional positions and $340,000 on a one-time basis for equipment.”

The Assembly and Senate Budget Subcommittees on Education Finance will convene early next week to begin reviewing the Governor’s May Revision of the State Budget, and specifically, the State Library and public library funding.  The subcommittees will be working diligently during the next couple of weeks to close out their actions for the year and make recommendations to the full Budget Committee of their respective houses.  READ MORE !