California Library Literacy Services Receives Additional Funding for Adult Literacy Programs

California Library Literacy Services
Receives Additional Funding 
for Adult Literacy Programs  

California State Library - Press Release: 7.23.2015

Thanks to an ongoing investment of $2 million by Governor Brown and the Legislature, the State Library is encouraging more libraries to join its successful adult literacy program that provides one-on-one tutoring to Californians who want to improve their reading skills.

Helping persons read better changes lives:

Felicia, 24, struggled her whole life with a learning disability.  Homeless for two years, she sought help from a local public library. She now has a job at a small medical practice and recently passed the driver's license test. “It's made my life so much better - it gave me the push to believe in myself. I can read street signs and restaurant menus. I feel more confident in my job.”

Felicia is just one of the more than 250,000 people the California Library Literacy Services program has helped learn to read and write over the past 30 years. But federal statistics suggest there are still an estimated 4 million Californians with low literacy skills.

“The Governor and the Legislature recognize that improving literacy yields enormous social and economic dividends at very low-cost in taxpayer dollars,” said State Librarian Greg Lucas.

Public libraries can apply now to join the program, which already includes 90 library jurisdictions offering tutoring at 800 locations around the state.

During the recent recession when state funds eventually hit zero, many local libraries still continued their programs. With increased state funding, those programs can be stabilized, more tutoring locations added and the 3,000 person waiting list of Californians eager to read reduced.

Grant applications are due Friday, August 14, 2015.

The additional $2 million in annual funding brings the yearly appropriation for adult literacy services up to $4.82 million.

About California Library Literacy Services:  California Library Literacy Services helps low-literacy adults and their families. Over 20,000 adult learners each year are provided one-on-one or small group instruction by thousands of trained volunteer tutors in public libraries statewide.  Instruction is based on each individual learner's pace and goals. The program targets English speaking adults who struggle with basic reading and writing skills. As a result, these adults are voting for the first time, reading newspapers, reading aloud to their children and securing jobs.

About the State Library: Founded in 1850, the California State Library is the central reference and research library for the Governor’s office, legislature, state employees, and the general public. The State Library administers federal and state grants for programs in historical preservation, library construction, civil liberties education, literacy, volunteering, and broadband connectivity in public libraries.

Send a Thank You Note To

Governor Brown : : Your Assembly Member : : Your State Senator !

Governor Jerry Brown

c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173

Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone: (916) 445-2841

Fax: (916) 558-3160

Find Your Assembly Member or State Senator

SCLLN Literacy Library Tutor Training Calendar : : August 2015

SCLLN Literacy Library Tutor Training Calendar: August 2015

For Local, California and National

Literacy or Library Conferences and Events

visit the

Southern California Library Literacy Network

Calendar

Book Lovers Day : : August 9

Aug. 1 LEARN 10th Anniversary & Volunteer Appreciation = San Diego County Library 1p

Aug. 4 Literacy Tutor Orientation = Carlsbad Library 12N

Aug. 5 Literacy Learner Orientation = READ/OC Library 1p

Aug. 5 Literacy Learner Orientation = READ/OC 6p

Aug. 5 Literacy Tutor Training = San Bernardino County Library Fontana 5p

Aug. 5 Literacy Learner Orientation = READ/San Diego Logan Heights 5:45p

Aug. 6 Literacy Tutor Orientation - South Bay Literacy Council Torrance Library 7p

Aug. 8 Literacy Tutor Training = San Bernardino Co Library Lake Arrowhead 10a

Aug. 8 Literacy Tutor Training = San Bernardino County Library Chino 10a

Aug. 8 Literacy Tutor Orientation - Placentia Library 1p

Aug. 12 Literacy Tutor Training - San Bernardino County Library Barstow 11a

Aug. 13 Literacy Tutor Orientation - Carlsbad Library 6p

Aug. 15 Literacy Tutor Training = San Bernardino County Library Yucca Valley 9a

Aug. 15 Literacy Tutor Training - San Bernardino Co Library Grand Terrace 10a

Aug. 17 Literacy Tutor Training = READ/San Diego Logan Heights 10a

Aug. 17 Volunteer Orientation - Corona Library 7p

Aug. 20 Literacy Tutor Training - Burbank Library 6p

Aug. 22 ESL Tutor Training = San Diego County Library Poway 9:30a

Aug. 22 Literacy Tutor Training - San Luis Obispo Library 10a

Aug. 22 Literacy Tutor Training - SB Co 29 Palms Library 10a

Aug. 27 Literacy Tutor Training - SB Co Crestline Library 12N

Aug. 27 Literacy Learner Orientation = READ/San Diego Logan Heights 9:45a

Aug. 29 ESL Tutor Workshop = Azusa Library 9a
Aug. 29 Literacy Tutor Training - SB Co Crestline Library 12N

LAPL Adult Literacy volunteers receive 7 hours of Online Instruction

Local Tutor Workshops   :::   Always Scrolling in the Right Frame.

Statewide Workshops @ California Library Literacy Services

Azusa Library : : League of California Cities Shines Spotlight on Library’s Health Literacy Program

League of California Cities Shines Spotlight on

Library’s Health Literacy Program

Literacy Update: July 2015

Listed as a “California City Solution,” the Azusa City Library’s health literacy program was featured in a League of California Cities newsletter on May 18, 2015. The “English Lessons for a Healthy Life” classes were created in 2012 to provide adults an opportunity to learn how to improve their health as the context for learning to speak English. The program is offered in partnership with the Azusa Neighborhood Wellness Center and the Azusa Pacific University Department of Global Studies, Sociology and TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages).

Health Literacy Learning

a program of the Azusa City Library, in collaboration with the Azusa Neighborhood Wellness Center and the Azusa Pacific University Department of TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages). Based on the belief that literacy is not an end in itself, but rather a catalyst to transform lives, Health Literacy Learning classes focus on English vocabulary, grammar, conversations, and reading and writing exercises related to topics such as nutrition, exercise and preventing disease. Health Literacy Learning students learn English while they explore choices and behaviors that lead to healthy lives for them and their families.

This unique collaboration was established by The Literacy Program of the Azusa City Library. Supervised APU TESOL Department students teach the classes. Neighborhood Wellness Center nursing students visit the classes weekly to record students’ blood pressure and steps walked (from pedometers provided to students) and answer health-related questions. Two levels of classes are offered. Each is scheduled twice a week, for 8-week sessions.

Health Literacy Learning was developed with funding from the Canyon City Foundation.

What is Health Literacy?

Health literacy, as defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Healthy People 2020), is “the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.”

Did You Know...

• Poor health literacy is “a stronger predictor of a person’s health than age, income, employment status, education level, and race.” (Report on the Council of Scientific Affairs, Ad Hoc Committee on Health Literacy for the Council on Scientific Affairs, American Medical Association, JAMA, Feb 10, 1999)

• In one California study, 65% of participants with low reading skills reported they avoid going to the doctor because of difficulties with paperwork; 75% of medical professionals said they were aware of medical errors that were the product of low literacy.

• Among patients with Type 2 diabetes, low health literacy is associated with worse glycemic control and higher rates of retinopathy. (Dean Schillinger, Ph.D., Journal of the American Medical Association July 24,31,2002)

California ranks 38th in kids' well-being : : KIDS COUNT 2015

California ranks 38th in kids' well-being

Daily Democrat: 7.21.2015 by Sharon Noguchi

Parents struggling to earn a living, the effects of poverty and astronomical housing costs all drag down California's children to the point that an annual national survey ranks the Golden State 38th in the nation in overall child well-being.

And, the benefits of the economic resurgence aren't evenly filtering down, leaving the state's children 49th in the nation in economic well-being, according to the 2015 Kids Count Profile released late Monday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

"That's really alarming for the future of our state," said Jessica Mindnich, director of research for the Oakland-based advocacy group Children Now, which analyzed California data for the survey.

Nearly one in four children, or 23 percent, lives in poverty. And the toll may be even higher in Silicon Valley. Even three minimum-wage jobs together would fall $10,000 short of what it takes to support a family of three in the valley, said Dana Bunnett, director of the San Jose-based advocacy group Kids In Common.

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California's ranking

-- 38: overall among all states

-- 49: in economic well-being

-- 38: in education

-- 14: in health

-- 42: in family and community

READ MORE !

Carlsbad Library :: Learning Center Celebration

Learning Center Celebration : : Carlsbad Library

Learning Connection: July/August 2015

Approximately 80 tutors, learners, family and friends enjoyed Literacy Services’ annual celebration held June 7 at the Senior Center. This event was to congratulate our literacy learners on their accomplishments, recognize our volunteer tutors for their outstanding dedication and thank the City and Library leaders for their support.

The program started with a slide show of our accomplishments during the year created by Judy, followed by remarks from Mayor Pro Tem Blackburn and Council Member Schumacher.

Tutors and learners then shared what the program means to them. A highlight of the program was when learner Ramon G.’s adult daughter spoke about how important literacy programs are to break the cycle of illiteracy. (She is a straight-A student in school studying to become a special education teacher.)

Light refreshments and cake followed the program.

Statistics shared at the event:

 During the past fiscal year, volunteers contributed over 12,000 hours of their time helping learners reach their goals. Currently, 71 tutor/learner pairs meet twice per week to work on reading, writing, and computer skills.

 Learners set and achieved a range of goals, from reading an entire book for the first time to helping their children with homework.

These skills lead to personal success that, in turn, creates a stronger community. Nearly half of the learners met a job-related goal, such as getting a job, which contributes to strengthening the local economy.

Commerce Library :: California Summer Reading Challenge

California Summer Reading Challenge : : Commerce Library

Public library summer reading programs build communities of readers and library users and help prevent summer learning loss. In 2014, over 700,000 Californians signed up for summer reading and over 1.3 million took part in summer reading activities.

The California Summer Reading Challenge provides libraries with resources to create innovative summer reading programs that keep California children, teens, and adults reading all summer long.

Help us meet our goal of #onemillionreaders in 2015!

Summer Reading Programs : : Commerce Library

The City of Commerce Public Library has begun its search for superheroes! Reading is a superpower and the kids at Bandini Elementary are ready to use it! Of course, anyone can be a hero and the City of Commerce Public Library has a summer reading program for children, teens, and adults. Will you join us?

Chula Vista Library :: California Summer Reading Challenge

California Summer Reading Challenge : : 

Chula Vista Library

Public library summer reading programs build communities of readers and library users and help prevent summer learning loss. In 2014, over 700,000 Californians signed up for summer reading and over 1.3 million took part in summer reading activities.

The California Summer Reading Challenge provides libraries with resources to create innovative summer reading programs that keep California children, teens, and adults reading all summer long.

Help us meet our goal of #onemillionreaders in 2015!

"READ TO THE RHYTHM" SUMMER READING PROGRAM : : Chula Vista Library

The Chula Vista Public Library is hosting its 51st annual Summer Reading Program, “Read to the Rhythm,” through Saturday, July 18.  Kids, teens and adults are encouraged to sign up online or in person at any of the three library branches. Participants can read for designated lengths of time, and receive a prize at each level. Family members can also read to those unable to yet read.

A wide variety of entertaining and educational activities is scheduled at each branch, many with a musical theme.  All Summer Reading Program events are free of charge and open to the public. Highlights of the Read to the Rhythm program include music-related craft programs, musical story times, dance and yoga classes for all ages, interactive shows with musical instruments and drums, “Open Mic” nights for teens and adults, and much more. Traditional favorites include performances by Sparkles the Clown and Mad Science, “Book It” with Ronald McDonald, book clubs, ongoing story times, painting classes, author visits as well as U.S. citizenship classes.