Monday, December 28, 2015

Redlands Library :: DAR Arrowhead Valley Chapter receives statewide award

DAR Arrowhead Valley Chapter receives statewide award

The Arrowhead Valley Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution recently received the state DAR’s second-place award for the number of hours chapter members spent tutoring adults learning to read.

The Redlands-based chapter received the award after 114 chapters in California reported their volunteer activities.

The chapter’s literacy committee began its work in 2013, through the A.K. Smiley Public Library’s adult literacy program, and is expanding its involvement in adult education to include service at colleges with programs for foster youth.

Saturday, December 26, 2015

SCLLN Literacy Library Tutor Training Calendar ::January 2016

SCLLN Literacy Library Tutor Training Calendar: January 2016

For Local, California and National
Literacy or Library Conferences and Events
Southern California Library Literacy Network
Calendar


Jan. 6 Adult Literacy Tutor Training SB Co Library Fontana 5p
Jan. 6 Adult Literacy Learner Orientation READ/San Diego Library 5:45p
Jan. 7 Adult Literacy Tutor Orientation Huntington Beach Library 9:30a
Jan. 7 Adult Literacy Tutor Orientation South Bay Literacy, Torrance Library 7p
Jan. 9 ESL Tutor Training Azusa Library 9a
Jan. 9 ESL Tutor Training Laubach Literacy Ventura 9a
Jan. 9 Adult Literacy Tutor Training SB Co Adelanto Library 11a
Jan. 9 Adult Literacy Tutor Training SB Co Library Lake Arrowhead 10a
Jan. 9 Adult Literacy Tutor Training SB Co Library Chino 10a
Jan. 12 Adult Literacy Learner Orientation READ/San Diego Library 9:45a
Jan. 13 Adult Literacy Tutor Orientation Whittier Literacy Council 11a
Jan. 13 Adult Literacy Tutor Training SB Co Barstow Library 11a
Jan. 14 Adult Literacy Tutor Training SB Co Crestline Library 12N
Jan. 14 Adult Literacy Tutor Training Hemet Library 9a
Jan. 16 Adult Literacy Tutor Workshop Whittier Area Literacy Council 9a
Jan. 16 ESL Tutor Training San Gabriel VLC 9a
Jan. 16 Adult Literacy Tutor Training SB Co Grand Terrace Library 10a
Jan. 16 Adult Literacy Tutor Training SB Co Chino Hills Library 9:30a
Jan. 16 Adult Literacy Tutor Training SB Co Crestline Library 12N
Jan. 16 Adult Literacy Tutor Training SB Co Yucaipa Library 10a
Jan. 16 Adult Literacy Tutor Training SB Co Yucca Valley #Library 9a
Jan. 20 Adult Literacy Tutor Orientation READ/OC Library 1p
Jan. 20 Adult Literacy Tutor Orientation READ/OC Library 6p
Jan. 21 Adult Literacy Tutor Training READ/San Diego Library 6p
Jan. 23 Adult Literacy Tutor Training Azusa Library 8:30a
Jan. 23 Adult Literacy Tutor Training READ/OC Library 9a
Jan. 23 Adult Literacy Tutor Workshop Upland Library 9a
Jan. 25 Adult Literacy Tutor Orientation Corona Library 7p
Jan. 26 Adult Literacy Tutor Workshop Newport Beach Library 6p
Jan. 30 Adult Literacy Tutor Training San Diego Co Library El Cajon 10a

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

Monday, December 21, 2015

Riverside County Library - Amazing things stem from reading

Amazing things stem from reading
Desert Sun: 12.21.2015 by Greg Lucas, California State Librarian

Looking for a truly transformative New Year’s resolution that’s unbelievably fun and super easy to stick to?

Read.

Books. Magazines. Newspapers. Flyers. Online. On a park bench. In clouds. In libraries. Paper. Parchment. Braille.

Just read.

Any number of amazing things stem from reading. Not the least of which is gaining a better understanding of the world around us.

If there’s anything this world needs, it’s more understanding.

Read and change the world.
Riverside County libraries have plenty of options to choose from. The librarians who work there have plenty of ideas on which reading material might be of most interest to you. They’ll also have recommendations if you’re helping a little kiddo become a life-long learner by reading to them.

You can also help someone else learn to read better. There are literacy programs throughout the state. One-on-one volunteer literacy tutoring occurs at over 800 California libraries. All are eager for volunteers.  READ MORE @

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Redlands Library - A.K. Smiley Public Library literacy program receives gifts of service, money

A.K. Smiley Public Library literacy program receives gifts of service, money
Redlands Daily Facts: 12.19.2015 by Dottie Podolak, adult literacy coordinator

“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.” — Maya Angelou

The Redlands Adult Literacy Program at the A.K. Smiley Public Library has been the recipient of many gifts over the past five years. Those gifts, of both time and money, have given the program the resources it needs to make an impact in learners’ lives.

Recently, Redlands Adult Literacy received two such examples of generosity.

First, over the past two and a half years, Jennifer Escobar has volunteered as an adult literacy tutor. She discovered the Redlands Adult Literacy Program through the A.K. Smiley Public Library website at a time when she was searching for a way to give back to the community.

After being trained as a tutor, Escobar began meeting with her learner weekly. She said she was impressed with how the program could make an immediate impact in an adult’s life. She also became involved in the efforts to support the use of technology in the program.

In September, Escobar had to step away from her role as a tutor to pursue a full-time position as an English teacher at a local college.

Because of her respect for the Redlands Adult Literacy Program and because of the impact it had on her personally, Escobar and her husband, Curtis Dison, have established the Escobar-Dison Family Grant. This yearly grant will be used to provide professional development for tutors.

“My two and a half years with my learner has been a profound experience for me both professionally and personally,” Escobar said.

“This is a small thing that my family can do to help that continue.”

The second gift was from the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity at the University of Redlands. The group chose Redlands Adult Literacy as the focus of its Week of Service.

During the week of Nov. 2-6, Alpha Phi Omega held events on the university campus to promote awareness of the adult literacy program. Members from Alpha Phi Omega volunteered their services by assisting with the computer literacy class, to help learners gain basic computer skills such as sending emails and using the Internet.  READ MORE @

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Orange Co Library - NEW READ/OC Literacy Collection at OCPL

NEW READ/OC Literacy Collection at OCPL
READ Writes: 12.2015

More than 500 new adult literacy books have been added to the regular OC Public Libraries circulating collection!

Unlike the materials in the literacy centers (which are still available for tutors and learners to check out via the “honors system”) these new titles are part of the regular OC Public Libraries catalog. That means they can be searched, checked out, requested, or reserved just like any other book in the library!

The new collection will be housed at the following branches:
Aliso Viejo
Costa Mesa
Dana Point
El Toro
Foothill Ranch
Fountain Valley
Garden Grove Regional
Irvine Heritage Park
Irvine Katie Wheeler
La Habra
Ladera Ranch
Laguna Niguel
Rancho Santa Margarita
San Clemente
San Juan Capistrano
Tustin
Westminster

Don’t live near one of these branches? Not to worry! You can place a hold and pick up the book at your nearest OCPL location.

To find books in the literacy collection, go the OCPL catalog  and select “Power Search”. In the “location” field, select “Literacy Materials”, and click “search”. You can then search for specific goal related topics (such as spelling, writing, money, health, parenting, employment, etc.) within the literacy results.

Coming soon: Even more new hi-lo fiction books available for your e-reader!

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Newport Beach Library :: Exciting 1-Day Workshops :: Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy

Exciting 1-Day Workshops ~ Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy
Literally Speaking: Nov/Dec 2015


Craft Workshop
Tutor Joy Faigan led a successful one day workshop where learners were given the opportunity to discover their creativity. The 1-day Craft Workshop consisted of decorating personal notebooks with different kinds of embellishments and designs. Learners brought in their own recycled greeting cards and any other decorations to repurpose. Although the craft itself is enjoyable, the primary focus is to provide an environment open to instruction, discussion and conversation. The craft workshops are in such high demand that Joy has graciously offered to make them a monthly workshop. Each craft will focus on the month’s celebratory holiday. Look for the next workshop on November 13.

Civic Center Sculpture Garden Tour
Tutor Marcia Drew led a group of learners on a tour of the Newport Beach Civic Center’s Sculpture Exhibition.  The exhibition, which contains 20 temporary installations, was a great opportunity for learners to share their thoughts about art. Marcia shared fascinating information about the installations and their artists. The learners appreciated visiting and admiring eight of the twenty installations and were able to write about their favorite pieces. Look for more local tour opportunities like this in the near future.  READ MORE !

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Huntington Beach Library :: Wine & Words ~ An Evening to Remember

Wine & Words ~ An Evening to Remember
Open Doors: November 2015

As the title states, it was an evening of Wine & Words, and it was so much more! Literacy Volunteers' 3rd wine tasting fundraiser was held at the Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel, on October 23rd, and was filled with fine wines, delicious appetizers, inspiring guest speakers and lots of auction action.


Dozens of dazzlingly wrapped silent auction items lined the wall like glittering mini stars, each sending soundless "CHOOSE ME" messages to scrutinizing bidders. The specially chosen wines and food parings, prepared by the hotel chef exclusively for our event, complimented each other perfectly. As guests imbibed, munched and chatted, they studied the silent auction and opportunity drawing, secretly hoping to win the goodies of their choice.

Of course, it wasn't all about drinking, eating and winning stuff. The highlights of the evening were the speakers. The audience sat spellbound as they heard Marisa's and Elizabeth's heartwarming stories of their challenges and successes while increasing their English literacy skills. Huntington Beach resident and author Chris Epting shared fascinating local history anecdotes, and cookie entrepreneur Jason Mercado spoke us of his journey from the east coast to the Oscars.  READ MORE !