NCFL Seeks Adult Learners to Speak at the Families Learning Conference :: Deadline June 1

NCFL seeks adult learners to speak at the Families Learning Conference

National Center for Families: 5.11.2017

The National Center for Families Learning is seeking student speakers for the Families Learning Conference to be held in Tucson, Arizona, October 9 – 11, 2017.

Eligible speakers are fluent in English and must have

> attended a family literacy or family learning program that has a 2-generational learning component and completed at least one or two years in the program and

> completed a minimum of 3 speaking engagements in their class/school, in front of local groups and/or local or state conferences with at least one of these groups having 50 – 100 attendees.

We are particularly interested in students who have a story to tell about how attending a family literacy/family learning program has changed their lives, who developed strategies for supporting their children’s academic development, have begun to accomplish some of their employment or vocational goals, and/or have developed supportive strategies to include their extended family.  We would love to hear how through family literacy/family learning services, adult learners have found their way to economic and family success.

For More Information and to Submit a Nomination

The deadline to submit is Thursday, June 1, 2017

Covina Library :: Wine Walk for Literacy :: May 20

Wine Walk for Literacy

Covina Library

May 20: 5 pm – 8pm

Second Start Literacy Program

The program serves native English speakers as well as students coming out of the ESL program who need to improve their skills before they move on to higher learning. The program is designed to help adults obtain the skills they need to reach their goals and is based on an Individual Learning Plan. The plan is developed by the adult and the Literacy Coordinator together. Adults are carefully matched with professionally trained volunteer tutors and receive instruction twice per week.

The adult ESL program offers those with limited English proficiency an opportunity to acquire and learn the English language communication skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in a competency-based format.

Purchase your tickets at the Covina Public Library for a chance to win a win basket!   (626) 384-5280

Enjoy twelve (12) tastings of wine for a $20 donation!

All proceeds will benefit the Literacy Program.

Huntington Beach Library :: "Writer to Writer" Awards Brunch

"Writer to Writer" Awards Brunch 

Literacy Volunteers-HBPL News: Spring 2017

The 17th annual "Writer to Writer Challenge" Awards event took place on February 25, 2017, at the beautiful Radisson Hotel in Newport Beach. Learners from 16 southern California library literacy programs submitted letters they had written to the author of a book they'd read. Of those 85 entries, winners were chosen by peer-judges and the top 4 were invited to read their stories to the audience, who hung on every word. Their courage and sincerity won everybody over and not many dry eyes were left. "This 'competition' is a full-on-tutoring bonanza," stated SCLLN Treasurer and Committee Lead Carrie Scott. She pointed out the often year-long preparation can include reading, writing and-the mother of all challenges-speaking in front of a large crowd.

The inspirational and enthusiastic California State Librarian, Greg Lucas, spoke of his passion and dedication to libraries and literacy programs. SCLLN president Diane Moseley commented that the organization was thrilled he attended, proving the event worthy of statewide recognition. We all agreed that the spectacular brunch served included everything from the best breakfast fare to a heavenly lunch.

Entrees from Huntington Beach included:

Central: Chan Park, Patricia Zapata, Frieda Huang, Jenna Moon and Loretta Bui.

Oak View: Elizabeth Perez

A booklet containing the winning letters was given to the attendees, and can be found in the Literacy Office. Stop by to read and experience these open and sincere letters, which will melt your heart and give you a reason to believe there's hope for the world.  READ MORE @

Redlands Library :: Literacy Program Helps Persistent Learner Achieve Success

Redlands literacy program helps persistent learner achieve success

Redlands Daily Facts: 5.06.2017 by Diane Shimota, Adult Literacy Coordinator, AK Smiley Public Library

The inability to read and write stops many people from achieving their dreams, whether those dreams are getting an education, acquiring a job, communicating with others or even finding a partner on a dating website.

Did you know that some people refuse to date a person who cannot write a proper sentence, or that a basic level of literacy is necessary to send text messages? Cryptic as they often are, these little bits of language still need to be understandable.

The mission of the Redlands Adult Literacy Program is to provide professional and confidential tutoring in reading and writing to help people in the Redlands community reach their literacy goals. More than 100 learners have participated in the literacy program this year, each working hard with a tutor to achieve a unique set of goals.

Let me introduce you to one of our hardworking learners.

Desmond Davis is a creative person who is skilled at building things. Recently, he designed and built his own Snookball table, a giant pool table that sits on the ground.  READ MORE @

Santa Monica Library :: Establishes Adult Literacy Program

Santa Monica Public Library Establishes Adult Literacy Program

City of Santa Monica NEWS: 5.03.2017

310-458-8600

Santa Monica Public Library is now offering adult literacy services to the Santa Monica community.  Part of the Library’s LEAF (Literacy Education for Adults & Families) initiative, the program offers free one-on-one tutoring for adult learners.  Volunteer literacy coaches are matched with adult learners for personalized tutoring sessions at Santa Monica Public Library locations.  Additionally, the Library will offer open lab sessions for adult learners wanting help with reading, writing, and using a computer.

The Library’s adult literacy program focuses on adult learners meeting their personal reading and writing goals, such as completing a job application, reading to their children or grandchildren, learning to use email, writing checks and paying bills, or obtaining a driver’s license.  Volunteer literacy coach and adult learner pairs meet regularly at Santa Monica Public Library locations, which provide spaces conducive to learning, as well as computers and literacy materials.  Adult literacy coaches must be 18 years of age or older, have an interest in building a learning relationship with another adult, be able to meet once or twice per week for one- to two-hour tutoring sessions, and be willing to make a six-month commitment to the program.  Adult learners receive free and confidential assistance with learning at their own pace.  They set personal reading and writing goals and receive one-on-one support from a literacy coach, at least once per week, at their convenience.

In 2016, Santa Monica Public Library was awarded a California Library Services grant from the California State Library in order to establish an adult literacy program.  READ MORE @

Riverside County Library :: 1 in 5 Riverside County residents can't read in English. Here's what the valley is doing to help

1 in 5 Riverside County residents can't read in English. Here's what the valley is doing to help

Desert Sun: 5.03.2017 by Anna Rumer

Inside Coachella's Cardenas Market, picking up groceries is English-optional.

One hot spring afternoon, as Latin music played through the supermarket speakers, a woman picked up a mango under a sign reading "frutas," bringing it to her nose to search for the scent indicating the fruit is at the perfect ripeness.

Nearby, shoppers were lured to Panadería Cardenas by fresh conchas and other kinds of pan dulce, or sweet breads, showcased in the clear display cases by the entrance.

Those standing in line to order fresh chilaquiles, a fried tortilla-based dish, and tacos de tripitas, or seasoned small intestine, from Cocina Cardenas, can be heard speaking in Spanish to one another, peppering their conversation with perhaps a word or two in English before returning to the language with which they are more comfortable.

In many parts of the majority-Latino east valley, you can easily go without needing to speak or read English. Many don’t. About 90 percent of Coachella residents don’t speak English at home, according to the U.S. Census, and 45 percent don’t speak English at all. About 20 percent of the U.S. population is estimated to be going through life not speaking any English, a designation that's fine with some of the people to which it applies, but others find that without a functional knowledge of English they have a hard time finding a well-paying job, navigating governmental bureaucracies and keeping up with the next generation.

As a whole, Riverside County is the 16th least English literate county in California, according to a 2003 estimate done by the National Center for Educational Statistics, with one fifth of its population lacking basic English prose literacy skills.

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In Riverside County, one of the challenges adult educators face are enclaves of people who remain illiterate in part because they live in largely Latino communities where one can get along without being able to read or write in English. This is why a large part of the Riverside County Adult Literacy Program focuses on teaching English as a Second Language classes, also known as ESL. Similar classes are also taught through institutions such as the Coachella Valley Adult School, College of the Desert and several churches throughout the valley.  WATCH VIDEO

Carlsbad Library :: 17th Annual Writer to Writer Challenge

17th Annual Writer to Writer Challenge :: Carlsbad Library

Learning Connection: Mar/Apr 2017

The Way it Works

William Kowalski

Congratulations to Carlsbad Library learner, Nyla H., for having her letter selected as a Runner-up for the Writer to Writer Beginning Writer category!

The Writer to Writer Challenge is an annual competition for adult learners in public library literacy programs. Learners write a letter to an author of a book or magazine telling them how their lives were influenced by what they read.

The competition is sponsored by the Southern California Library Literacy Network (SCLLN).

The winners and runners-up were recognized at an awards ceremony on February 25 during a brunch sponsored by SCLLN and the California State Library. Winners in each category had an opportunity to read their letters during the ceremony, and all winners and runners-up received a copy of a book that has been published with their letters.

All learners who submitted a letter received a certificate for their participation. There were 85 entries from 11 libraries throughout Southern California.  READ MORE @