Azusa Library :: Cathay Reta Hands Torch to Arlene Calderon

Cathay Reta Hands Torch to Arlene Calderon

Literacy Updates: Sep/Oct 2017

As the Azusa City Library staff transitions into fall, The Literacy Program is preparing for a shift from one Literacy Coordinator to another. The Literacy program is saying goodbye and thank you to its long time coordinator Cathay Reta.

Cathay began working as the Adult Literacy Coordinator for the Azusa City Library in 2011. Her grassroots ESL program went hand and hand with the Azusa community, in which a large majority of it’s residents claim they have difficulty with English in their everyday household. The program was formed in the fall of 2013 with seven community partner sites around the city willing to collaborate.

In 2014, Cathay expanded the library’s services by introducing a citizenship program that specializes in tutoring and access to information for those desiring to become U.S. citizens. Through collaborations and events with local businesses, the residents of the community have benefitted greatly from the positive impact of these newly provided services.

Despite all the progress the programs have made over the past couple of years, Cathay Reta decided it was, “time for a new chapter in her life.” She recently moved on from her position as Literacy Coordinator and is now involved with consulting work for literacy programs across the nation. Cathay Reta leaves a strong legacy behind as well as many goals accomplished.

Reta will be handing her head of literacy program duties over to Arlene Calderon.  READ MORE >>

Carlsbad Library :: Carlsbad Learners Rise to the Challenge :: Writer to Writer

Carlsbad Learners Rise to the Challenge!

Learning Connection: May/June 2018

The Writer to Writer Challenge winners were recognized at the Southern California Library Literacy Network Conference in Buena Park on April 14. Seven Carlsbad learners entered the challenge this year. A total of 86 letters were entered from 14 literacy programs in Southern California. Carlsbad learners Carmen C. and Nyla H. won the Emerging and Beginning Writers categories, respectively. Angelica G. was a runner-up in the Advanced category.

Thanks to the tutors and learners for their participation. It’s not too early to pick your book and plan for next year’s Writer to Writer Challenge!

Library Learning Center staff, tutors and learners attended SCLLN Conference workshops, including a Writer to Writer Panel—Learner Workshop presented by learners Carmen C. and Nyla H. and a Writer to Writer Tips for Tutors workshop presented by Carrie Scott, Community Outreach Supervisor.  READ MORE >>

Emerging Category :: Winner

Carmen C, Carlsbad City Library Learning Center

Tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch Albom

Beginning Category :: Winner

Nyla H, Carlsbad City Library Learning Center

First Grave on the Right, Darynda Jones

Advanced Category :: Runner-Up

Angelica G, Carlsbad City Library Learning Center

Like Water for Chocolate, Laura Esquivel

Literacy Library Jobs – California :: Salinas :: San Mateo Co

Literacy Library Jobs – California

Librarian I - FT

Salinas Library

responsible for planning and delivering adult programming from classes/workshops on important health topics, legal rights and arts/culture, to supporting adult learning and literacy

DEADLINE:  JUN 8

Youth Literacy Quest Program Aide - Spanish Speaking Preferred – PT

San Mateo Co Library

improve students' literacy skills to help them become part of a literate, confident, and creative community of life-long learners. We offer literacy enrichment, homework help, and mentoring in a safe after school environment

DEADLINE:  OPEN

BayNet Library and Information Network

CalOpps

Library Jobs in California

UCLA Department of Information Studies

May 21, 2018 :: Last Day to Register to Vote in This Election

May 21, 2018

Last day to register to vote in this election

Easy Voter Guide

May 21, 2018

Last day to register to vote in this election

May 29, 2018

Last day to request a “vote by mail” ballot

June 5, 2018 :: ELECTION DAY

Your polling place is open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Missed the May 21 voter registration deadline?

You can still vote in this election!

If you missed the deadline:

go to your County Elections Office or other special location

You will be able to register and vote on the same day - all the way up

through Election Day.

3 simple steps you can complete in one visit

1. Register to vote.

2  Vote.

3. Seal your ballot in a special envelope and sign it.

Voters Edge

Get the facts about the candidates and propositions before you vote.

Governor – The highest elected official in California:

Oversees most state departments and agencies.

Prepares annual state budget.

Approves or rejects new state laws.

Lieutenant Governor – Next in line:

Becomes Governor if the elected Governor leaves office.

Has a tie-breaking vote in the State Senate.

Secretary of State – Head of elections and record keeping:

Coordinates statewide elections and oversees election laws.

Also keeps records about new corporations and businesses and other state databases.

Controller – The state’s bookkeeper:

Keeps track of how the state’s money is spent.

Issues most checks from the state and manages collection of money due to the state. Reports on finances of state and local governments.

Treasurer – The state’s banker:

Manages the state’s investments and assets.

Coordinates the sale of state bonds.

Attorney General – The state’s top lawyer:

Makes sure laws are enforced the same way across the state.

Manages the state Department of Justice.

Oversees sheriffs and district attorneys.

Insurance Commissioner – Insurance overseer:

Manages the state Department of Insurance.

Enforces laws that insurance companies must follow.

Superintendent of Public Instruction – Head of public schools:

Manages the state Department of Education.

Provides leadership and assistance to all public schools in California.

Enforces education regulations.

U.S. Senator (6-Year term)

Representative in U.S. Congress (2-Year term)

State Senator (4-Year term; even-numbered districts will be voted on in this election)

State Assembly Member (2-Year term)

State Board of Equalization (state tax commission; 4-Year term)

Propositions

68 Bonds for Environment, Parks and Water

69 Transportation Funding

70 Cap-and-Trade Amendment

71 Ballot Measure Effective Date

72 Taxes for Rainwater Capture Systems

Produced for statewide elections in California since 1994, the Easy Voter Guide is a collaboration of the League of Women Voters® of California Education Fund and the California State Library.

The Easy Voter's Guide was started when a group of public library adult literacy students [ Bay Area New Readers Council ] felt that there was a lack of nonpartisan voter information accessible to adults still working on their reading skills.

Voter’s Edge California – Find information about your local as well as statewide candidates and measures along with a polling place look up feature.

CAvotes – Website of the nonpartisan League of Women Voters of California Education Fund

Look up your local League of Women Voters

The California State Library and Library Literacy Services – a partner and co-founder of the Easy Voter Guide project

Common Knowledge – co-founder of the Easy Voter Guide project

The James Irvine Foundation

Redlands Library :: Adult Literacy Learners Gain Leadership Skills at ‘Boot Camp’ in Redlands

Adult literacy learners gain leadership skills at ‘boot camp’ in Redlands

Redlands Daily Facts: 5.12.2018 by Diane Shimota, Literacy Coord - A.K. Smiley Library

The Adult Learner Leadership Institute (ALLI) is a training program designed for adult learners and sponsored by the California Library Literacy Services, a division of the California State Library. ALLI gives advanced adult literacy learners the opportunity to improve their leadership skills.

This year the Southern California ALLI boot camp was hosted by the Redlands Adult Literacy Program at A.K. Smiley Public Library.

Five adult learners with the Redlands Adult Literacy Program have attended past ALLI boot camps. They have used their leadership skills in the Redlands community by speaking to the City Council, representing the adult literacy program at community events, sharing their experience with new tutors and encouraging new adult learners to improve their reading and writing. ALLI graduates in the Redlands Adult Literacy Program serve as leaders in the community and at the library.

Nineteen adult learners, including five from the Redlands Adult Literacy Program, attended this year’s ALLI boot camp. The program included sessions led by ALLI graduates, including four adult learners from the Redlands Adult Literacy Program.

Session topics included leadership, self-esteem, advocacy, networking, goal setting and public speaking. The attendees had many opportunities to work in teams and to express their thoughts and ideas. Each attendee drafted, edited, practiced and presented a speech about literacy or leadership. For most, it was their first experience speaking in front of a group.

One ALLI facilitator, Ana Alcantar from the Redlands Adult Literacy Program, said she was amazed at how much the attendees had learned over the weekend. She was impressed by their speeches and enthusiasm for helping adult literacy programs in their communities.  READ MORE >>

Santa Monica Library :: Congrats to LEAF Program Participants :: Writer to Writer

Congrats to LEAF Program Participants

The Library: May 2018

On April 14, two of the Library’s adult literacy learners were presented awards for their Writer to Writer submissions at the Southern California Library Literacy Network Conference.

Bella Grib and Mohammad Mousavi were honored for the letters they wrote to authors whose books inspired them.

A big congratulations to them and their tutors, Glenna Dumey and Laura Buhl!

Beginning Category

Runner-Up

Mohammad Mousavi, Santa Monica Public Library

Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman!, Richard P. Feyman

Advanced Category

Runner-Up

Anonymous, Santa Monica Public Library

Unlimited Power, Anthony Robbins

Learning Spanish First :: California Libraries Pilot Unique Literacy Program - Cathay Reta : American Libraries

Learning Spanish First

California libraries pilot unique literacy program

American Libraries: 5.01.2018 by Cathay Reta

At age 7, Efren Sanchez got separated from his mother in the crowd at a Mexico City festival and wound up living on the streets. He never went to school or learned to read. In his early 30s he moved to the US. Now, at age 52, Sanchez has learned to read and write in Spanish. He was one of the first adults to enroll in the Leamos course at the Louis Robidoux branch of the Riverside County (Calif.) Library System.

Leamos is a licensed online course geared to adult learners. Typically, learners need assistance logging into the course but, with practice using the mouse, they soon become adept using it alone. A virtual instructor takes them through 46 lessons to learn how to read and write basic Spanish. Some libraries set class times in their computer labs, some provide volunteer tutors to work with learners, and others involve library staff to provide needed support. Learners can also study at home or anywhere that has internet access after becoming comfortable with the course.

═════════►

Leamos @ the Library was developed with two goals: to teach basic literacy skills to Spanish speakers, and to explore its effectiveness as a tool to reach nonlibrary users. The results? We reached 117 adult learners, more than half of whom (66 individuals) got their first library card when they enrolled in the program. Many became regular patrons and began to use other library services, as we had hoped. For example, since Santa Monica Public Library patron Maria C. (last name withheld) learned to read, she can hardly put a book down. When her brother-in-law asked, “What happened to your house? It’s not as clean as it used to be,” she replied, “Oh, now I’m reading!” In the summer of 2017, she read 20 books and received a Summer Reading Program certificate of completion.

While success stories like these have been repeated across the state, they have not come easily, and they have not happened in every community.  READ MORE >>