LA Unified Reopens All District Libraries — But Forgets About the Books

LA Unified reopens all district libraries — but forgets about the books

LA School Report: 8.04.2016 by Mike Szymanski

For the first time since some school libraries were shuttered during budget cuts in 2008, all of the LA Unified school libraries will be back up and running when school starts again on August 16.

But according to the latest district estimates, the majority of students across Los Angeles will still be forced to rely on under-stocked library collections filled with outdated materials.

District numbers show that the average age of a book in a LAUSD library is now more than 20 years old, and that the books-per-student ratio is a shocking 35 percent below the state average. Even more dire: Most district schools have only a minimal budget to spend on bridging this gap—if they have any additional library funds at all.  READ MORE @

Little support for California’s public libraries

Sent to the Los Angeles Daily News, August 4.

Krashen: 8.04.2016

Julie Beth Todaro and Audrey Church are right when they argue that  "Shelving LAUSD’s school librarians would widen the learning gap," (August 3). Making the situation worse is data showing that California's public libraries are not well-supported.

California cities captured seven of the bottom ten places in the public library category of the recent (2015) "America's Most Literate Cities report." The report analyzes data from 77 cities with populations of 250,000 and above, and is based on number of branch libraries, holdings, circulation and staffing.

The bottom ten:

68. Los Angeles

69. Anaheim

72. Bakersfield

73. Sacramento

74. Chula Vista

75. Stockton

77. Santa Ana

Study after study has confirmed that library quality and professional library staffing are directly related to reading achievement.  More access to books, combined with helpful librarians, means more reading, and more reading means higher levels of reading achievement.

No wonder reading achievement is low in California.

Stephen Krashen

Professor Emeritus

University of Southern California

*America's Most Literate Cities reports @ literacyspace blog

Carlsbad Library :: Literacy Center Celebration

Learning Center Celebration

Learning Connection: Jul/Aug 2016

Approximately 72 tutors, learners, family and friends enjoyed Literacy Services’ annual celebration held May 22 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, followed by remarks from Council Member Schumacher and Library Director Heather Pizzuto. Tutors and learners then shared what the program means to them. Light refreshments and cupcakes followed the program.

Statistics shared at the event: 

 During the past fiscal year, volunteers contributed over 11,000 hours of their time helping learners reach their goals. Currently, 72 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.

A Published Author

We would like to congratulate learner Nyla H. for being published and having her artwork chosen for the cover of the book, Messages, through the organization WE LEARN (Women Expanding Literacy Education Action Resource Network).  WE LEARN is a community promoting women’s literacy as a tool that fosters empowerment and equity for women.

Los Angeles Public Library :: Proud to Host the Adult Literacy Leadership Institute

The Los Angeles Public Library was proud to host the Adult Literacy Leadership Institute at the Central Library

READ: Summer 2016

A newsletter written by students and tutors

The Los Angeles Public Library was proud to host the Adult Literacy Leadership Institute at the Central Library on May 6 and 7, 2016.  One of our learners attended a bootcamp in Ventura, so the number of attendees this year was an incredible 13.

Reflections on the Adult Learner Leadership Institute (ALLI)

• By learner Ethel Harris My overall experience in the Adult Learner Leadership Institute was educational.  The presentations were given by ALLI participants who have worked to improve their literacy skills and were able to transfer what they’d learned at ALLI to us.  The topics discussed were leadership qualities that I want to develop and use everywhere I go (Setting and Achieving Goals, Self Esteem, Networking, and Advocacy).  The atmosphere in the room was comfortable and the leadership group responsible for  the workshop were polite.  I didn’t have a problem writing and getting the two minute speech assignment completed.

• By learner Magdalena Guadalupe Deleon Tran My name is Magdalena.  I came to the ALLI Bootcamp from the Lincoln Heights Branch Library ALP Program.

I had an interesting time at the Bootcamp, which was held at the Central Library on May 6 and 7, 2016.

I learned about leadership and about myself. For example, I learned that a leader is a person who leads others, has high self-esteem, and who believes that they can lead.  I learned how to control my fears of speaking, since when I become afraid to speak up my voice is weak and fragile, but as I continue to speak, I become more confident and my voice returns to normal.  I also learned many meanings of words that describe feelings, like selfish, pride, and self-esteem.  I also learned some names that described behaviors: avoider, resister, accepter, and seeker.

In my opinion, ALLI should be a mandatory program given to those on Welfare so that all the people who are not in school or who can’t read anything at all could improve their handwriting and reading and get better jobs. It doesn’t matter if a person is young or old, they can lead the poor, especially those on Skid Row in Los Angeles, to have a valuable experience.

I want to thank Ms. Kelly for the invitation to the ALLI Bootcamp.  I also want to say to my sponsor that I appreciate having the opportunity to be part of the Adult Literacy Program and Algebra Upgrade.  I’m grateful for my wonderful tutor, Kate, who is so flexible about my schedule.  Thank you all for leading me.  I will lead others, too. Thank you, Ms. Kathy.

Learning is good at any time.  It’s better to learn than to never have learned.

Southern California & Statewide Literacy & Library Events :: August 2016

Southern California & Statewide Literacy & Library Events

August 2016

SCLLN

Literacy & Library Events & Conferences

- Local, California and National –

visit the

Southern California Library Literacy Network

for more information

Read A Romance Month

Aug 02  National Coloring Book Day

Aug 09  Book Lovers Day

Aug 09 Autism Sensory Friendly Films SUICIDE SQUAD 7p

Aug 10 Annual Picture Book 10 for 10 #pb10for10 Google Community

Aug 13 Autism Sensory Friendly Films PETE'S DRAGON 10a

Aug 20 Liemert Park Book Fair Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza

Aug 20+ Tuolumne Meadows Poetry Festival Parsons Lodge, Yosemite Natl Park

Aug 23 Autism Sensory Friendly Films WAR DOGS 7p

Aug 26 WorldCat Birthday

Aug 27 Autism Sensory Friendly Films PETE'S DRAGON 10a

ALOUD: Library Foundation of Los Angeles  @ALOUDla

Los Angeles Literary Calendar  @LALitScene

Poets & Writers Los Angeles Literary Events Calendar

California Book Festivals

Altadena Library :: Bob Lucas Branch and Literacy Center Honored at Neighborhood Church

Bob Lucas Branch and Literacy Center Honored at Neighborhood Church

Connect: July 2016 From the Director

On June 11th, 2016 the Bob Lucas Branch and Literacy Center was honored at the Altadena’s 7th Day Adventist’s Church’s International Day of Fellowship for community service. The Church recognizes one organization’s community service annually at this event. We were this year’s proud recipients!  Staff were presented with a plaque at the service that now adorns our wall.

The International Day of Fellowship was coordinated by Dr. Sybil Cross and the service was conducted by Lead Pastor, Dr. Richardson Honoré, Pastor Dr. Royal Harrison and Pastor E.M. McBride. The event featured beautiful singing by Noelette Leader and other parishioners and music by the Church band. This spiritually uplifting event celebrated neighbors, community, and diversity. International fellowship was celebrated by a parade of flags from around the world that were carried by local community members. Our own ESL teacher, Modesta Nava proudly carried the flag for Mexico.

We are grateful for this recognition for our literacy program and library services for the community.

SCLLN Tutor Workshop :: August 4 :: Commerce Library READS Center

SCLLN Tutors!

You are invited to attend a special workshop

just for you!

August 4th, 2016

9:30 am – 1 pm

Presenter

Jerry Edwards

Santa Fe Springs City Library

Commerce READs Center

Commerce Library

5655 Jillson St

Join us to increase your skills in the following topics:

Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan

Using a lesson plan can help you organize and strategize your approach to adult literacy. Do you run out of time or are not sure where you are going with your lessons? Do you find yourself spending an hour on just one component (sight words, reading practice, word attack, etc.)?

Intonation and Speed -- The Road to Better Comprehension

Do your learners read word for word? Do they disregard punctuation? Do they struggle through (but finish) a sentence and wonder what they read?

DEADLINE :: Monday, August 1^st

Evelyn Diaz

Literacy Program Manager

Commerce READS Center

(323) 722-6660 ext. 2823

Thank you to SCLLN for sponsoring this event!

SCLLN Literacy Library Tutor Training Calendar :: August 2016

SCLLN Literacy Library Tutor Training Calendar

August 2016

For Local, California and National

Literacy or Library Conferences and Events

visit the

Southern California Library Literacy Network

Calendar

Read A Romance Month

Aug 03 Adult Literacy Tutor Training SB Co Library Fontana 5p

Aug 04 SCLLN Tutor Workshop Commerce Library READs Center

Aug 04 Adult Literacy Tutor Orientation South Bay Literacy, Torrance Library 7p

Aug 06 Adult Literacy Tutor Training SB Co Library Rialto 10a

Aug 06 Adult Literacy Tutor Training SB Co Library Chino 10a

Aug 06 Adult Literacy Tutor Training SLO Co Library 10a

Aug 09 Adult Literacy Tutor Orientation Carlsbad Library 12N

Aug 10 Adult Literacy Learner Orientation READ/San Diego Logan Heights Library 6p
Aug 10 Adult Literacy Tutor Training Newport Beach Library 5:30p

Aug 11 Adult Literacy Tutor Training Burbank Library 6p

Aug 13 Adult Literacy Tutor Orientation Placentia Library 1p

Aug 13 Adult Literacy Tutor Training SB Co Yucca Valley Library 9a

Aug 13 Adult Literacy Tutor Training SB Co Grand Terrace Library 10:30a

Aug 15 Adult Literacy Tutor Training READ/San Diego Logan Heights Library 10a
Aug 15 Adult Literacy FUNraiser Huntington Beach Library @ Lazy Dog  N-8p

Aug 15 Adult Literacy Tutor Orientation Corona Library 7p

Aug 16 Adult Literacy Tutor Training SB Co Hesperia Library 3p

Aug 18 Adult Literacy Tutor Orientation Carlsbad Library 6p
Aug 20 Adult Literacy Tutor Training Santa Barbara Library Buellton 9a

Aug 22 Adult Literacy Learner Orientation READ/San Diego Logan Heights Library 9a

Aug 27 Adult Literacy Tutor Training San Diego Co Library El Cajon 10a
Aug 27 Adult Literacy Tutor Training SB Co Library Apple Valley 10a

Aug 30 Youth Literacy Tutor Training Santa Fe Springs Library 6p

Aug 30 Adult Literacy Tutor Training Santa Fe Springs Library 6p

Beverly Hills Library Adult Literacy: last Friday month 10:30 - 12 N

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