Saturday, September 12, 2015

Bob Laubach, pioneer in adult literacy education, has died

Bob Laubach, pioneer in adult literacy education, has died
Syracuse.com: 9.12.2015 by Elizabeth Doran

Robert S. Laubach, a pioneer in adult literacy education and founder of New Readers Press, died Friday at age 96.

"Dr. Bob" as he was known, and his late father Dr. Frank C. Laubach, are credited with teaching more than 100 million adults to read and write in more than 200 languages.

Bob Laubach helped his father after Laubach Literacy Inc., was founded in 1955 in Syracuse. That organization became one of the founding organizations of ProLiteracy Worldwide in 2002. Bob Laubach then developed literacy primers in local languages and organized literacy programs in more than 60 countries.

"Dr. Bob devoted his life to adult literacy and will be remembered for his many contributions over the past 80 years," said Kevin Morgan, president and CEO of ProLiteracy. "His legacy will live on in the weekly newspaper for adult learners, News for You, as well as the other adult education content he helped pioneer."

Friday, September 11, 2015

UOP Beyond Our Gates Dialogue Focuses on Importance of Early Literacy

Forum focuses on importance of early literacy
Record Net: 9.10.2015 by Almendra Carpizo

The average home in San Joaquin County only has two books.

That is “startling” information University of the Pacific President Pamela A. Eibeck recently learned, she told about 175 people gathered Thursday for the annual Beyond Our Gates Dialogue event.

The forum, which is attended by educators, elected officials, nonprofit organizations and business leaders, was focused on the importance of early literacy, cultivating community partnerships to help students succeed and encouraging parents to engage their children and ensure that they attend school.

San Joaquin County Office of Education Superintendent James Mousalimas said at the start of the program that if the community wants to make progress in student achievement, literacy has to start before kindergarten.

“A rule of thumb we heard is that if a child is able to read by the end of third grade, they will have the tools to read and learn as they go forward,” Eibeck said.

According to a 2014 San Joaquin Literacy Report Card, only 34 percent of 3- and 4-year-olds are enrolled in preschool. The percentage dropped from 46 percent in 2011. Statewide, enrollment is at 50 percent, according to the report.

“How can we make sure a young child arrives in school ready to learn and by the third grade is able to read?” Eibeck asked.

Featured speaker Greg Lucas, who was appointed state librarian by Gov. Jerry Brown in March 2014, opened by saying that “the most cost-effective investment of taxpayer money is in helping people to read or read better.”

It keeps people out of prison, it helps them obtain better jobs and, he added, “if I’m a mommy, the No. 1 indicator of my kids’ academic success is my literacy rate.”  READ MORE !

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Greg Lucas, State librarian to speak at annual UOP literacy event

State librarian to speak at annual UOP literacy event

Greg Lucas, who oversees the California State Library’s vast collection, from historical documents to digitized books, will be the featured speaker Thursday at University of the Pacific’s 2015 Beyond Our Gates Dialogue, “Connections and Common Ground in Literacy.”

“People build libraries and libraries build community,” Lucas wrote recently in Western City Magazine. “Anyone who believes libraries are a withered vestige from sepia-tinted yesteryear hasn’t been inside their neighborhood branch lately.”

On any given day at a public library, parents may be singing with their toddlers at story time, nurturing the early literacy skills young children need to become strong readers. Immigrants may be practicing English while high-schoolers practice for the SAT. Job seekers may be filling out employment applications and seniors may be opening their first email accounts.

The Dialogue is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10, at the San Joaquin County Office of Education’s Wentworth Education Center, 2707 Transworld Drive in Stockton. The event is free and open to the public.

“Libraries connect people to resources—and to each other,” said Jennifer Torres Siders, community relations director for University of the Pacific. “We’re working closely with our local libraries to improve early literacy in San Joaquin County, and we want to help more residents.  READ MORE !

The theme of International Literacy Day 2015 is Literacy and Sustainable Societies. Literacy is a key driver for sustainable development. Literacy skills are the prerequisite for the learning of a broader set of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values, required for creating sustainable societies. At the same time, progress in areas of sustainable development, such as health and agriculture, serves as an enabling factor in the promotion of literacy and literate environments.


Monday, September 7, 2015

SCLLN Literacy Pre-Conference @ 2015 California Library Association : : Nov 5

SCLLN Literacy Pre-Conference @ CLA 
Pasadena Convention Center

Join us on November 5th
1:15 PM – 4:15 PM
Early Bird Registration ends September 16th
Pasadena Convention Center

Join SCLLN @ 2015 CLA Conference for 2 great workshops to help strengthen literacy services at your library.

Successful learning environments for adult learners
Learning is ongoing–an everyday process. In addition to one-to-one volunteer tutoring, some library literacy programs hold small group sessions, larger classes and online tutoring. How do you determine the “best” approach for each learner? How will you know when it’s time to move to another group or try another type of learning situation? And, how do you graduate someone from your program? A panel of literacy program experts, facilitated by Diane Moseley, Literacy Coordinator at the Huntington Beach Public Library, will lead an in-depth discussion.

Exploring GED vs HiSET and other High School Equivalency Options
Which Program is Right for your Learners?
There is currently a lot of confusion about the HiSET exam, the GED, TASC and Online Career High School. It would be natural to think that since these options have the same outcome—receiving a high school equivalency credential—that the content of each would be relatively similar or equivalent. But is that true? Are they all accepted equally by colleges? By employers? Cherall Weiss, Literacy Coordinator for the Newport Beach Public Library, will lead a panel discussion to explore the differences in the options and how to decide which one is right for your learners.

Non-member: $60

Member: $45

Student member: $30


Registration for the CLA conference is separate and not necessary to attend this Pre-Conference event.  You are, however, encouraged to stay for the Conference itself.

Early Bird Registration ends September 16th


Wednesday, September 2, 2015

National & International Literacy & Library Events :: September 2015

National & International Literacy & Library Events
September 2015

SCLLN
Literacy & Library Events & Conferences
- Local, California and National -
the Southern California Library Literacy Network
for more information


Sep. 3  National Book Fest - Twitter Pre Party #NatBookFest15 2-3pm ET
Sep. 5  National Book Festival - "I Cannot Live Without Books", Wash DC
Sep. 11+ World Congress on Learning Disabilities, Venice Italy
Sep. 13   Roald Dahl Day
Sep. 17+ Plain Language Conference, Dublin, Ireland
Sep. 26  Autism Sensory Friendly #Films - HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 10a
Sep. 27+ #BannedBookWeek


Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Newport Beach Library : : Literacy Day Celebration - September 10

International Literacy Day
Literally Speaking: July/August 2015


International Literacy Day, traditionally observed each year on September 8, focuses attention on worldwide literacy needs. More than 780 million of the world’s adults (nearly two-thirds of whom are women) do not know how to read or write.

Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy uses International Literacy Day as an opportunity to focus on the tremendous strides our adult learners have made in reaching their goals.

To create a true international celebration, learners share dishes from their home countries and Bristol Farms provides a beautiful centerpiece of fruit and cheese.

The celebration culminates in the presentation of the Rochelle Hoffman Memorial Award.  This award, which is given to an adult learner who exemplifies the mission of the program, is presented each year by Rochelle Hoffman’s daughters, Renee and Risa.    
Past Hoffman Awardees are:
2006 Horacio Cortes
2007 Donnie Madril
2008 Ruth Cisneros
2009 Parvin Tabrizi
2010 Claude Bonham
2011 Effy Sanchez
2012 Isabel Sevilla
2013 Marnalee Lopez
2014 Yolanda Lopez

Please join us on September 10, 2015,at 10 a.m. to celebrate International Literacy Day.  It is our way of recognizing the efforts of volunteers and the progress of our adult learners.  By improving literacy skills, we strengthen our community, and what better way is there to applaud these dedicated people than by being a community and supporting their efforts!

The theme of International Literacy Day 2015 is Literacy and Sustainable Societies. Literacy is a key driver for sustainable development. Literacy skills are the prerequisite for the learning of a broader set of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values, required for creating sustainable societies. At the same time, progress in areas of sustainable development, such as health and agriculture, serves as an enabling factor in the promotion of literacy and literate environments.