The Great Thanksgiving Listen :: StoryCorps

#TheGreatListen

@StoryCorps

The Great Thanksgiving Listen

StoryCorps

The Great Thanksgiving Listen is a national movement that empowers young people—and people of all ages—to create an oral history of the contemporary United States by recording an interview with an elder using the free StoryCorps App.

Interviews become part of the StoryCorps Archive at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. Since 2015, The Great Thanksgiving Listen has grown from an experimental challenge issued by our founder, Dave Isay, into a vital intergenerational movement. To date, thousands of high schools from all 50 states have participated and preserved more than 100,000 interviews, providing families with a priceless piece of personal history.

Get The Printable Placemat

It’s the connections they’ll remember more than the centerpiece or the stuffing. Download and print the official 2018 Great Thanksgiving Listen placemat, in whatever quantity you need, and you’ll have a sampler platter of Great Questions closer than the salt shaker. Use them as ice-breakers around the table, then after the meal find a quiet place and record your interview with the free StoryCorps App.

Carlsbad Library :: California Library Literacy Services Coordinators Gather in Sacramento

California Library Literacy Services Coordinators Gather in Sacramento

Learning Connection: Nov/Dec 2018 by Carrie Scott

I recently had the pleasure of attending the California Library Literacy Services Coordinators Conference at the beautiful Tsakopoulos Library Galleria in Sacramento. Approximately 130 attendees from 107 CLLS literacy programs joined the two-day event on September 25 and 26.

The opening session featured a panel of adult learners who told powerful stories of how their improved literacy skills changed their lives. Next, a panel of library directors expressed the importance of having literacy programs integrated as a core service of the library.

Breakout sessions focused on assessment, tutor recruitment, learning challenges and other topics. I presented on a tutor training panel with two colleagues. There was much interest in our training.

Participants were especially impressed that both our tutors and learners receive book bags, as one way to support the learners’ confidentiality. When tutors and learners both receive book bags, then learners are not automatically identified as learners. Coordinators also praised Carlsbad for its commitment to reusable coffee mugs and water bottles. Finally, Carlsbad was the only program to offer logo pins to celebrate tutors and learners who met the annual instructional hours goal.

A highlight was the Writer to Writer panel featuring 2017 Beginning Writer awardee Nyla H. from Carlsbad. Nyla read her winning letter to an appreciative audience, then joined Huntington Beach coordinator Diane Moseley and Newport Beach coordinator Cherall Weiss to share the benefits of Writer to Writer.

One of the most exciting things about Nyla’s involvement was the fact that this was the first trip where she flew, rode a tram and caught a cab by herself. She credits the literacy program with giving her the skills and confidence to be able to do that. Isn’t that what we are all about?

Nyla added, “My life has opened to so much positive progress. My message to all of us is if the opportunity opens to you, have the courage to take it. You can do it, if you just try! Don’t let your fears stop you from reaching your goals.”

Carlsbad Tutor Orientation Schedule

Please call 760-931-4510 to register.

December 4 , 12-2 pm

December 13, 6-8 pm

Literacy Library Jobs – California :: Riverside County

Literacy Library Jobs – California

Family Literacy Coordinator – FT

Riverside County Library (Library Systems & Services)

plan, develop and implement literacy and early childhood development services and programs

DEADLINE:  OPEN

Educational & Literacy Recreation Leader - PT

Redwood City Library

support and assist our Literacy Student Tutor Coordinators and Literacy Staff

offering educational activities, tutoring and performing clerical tasks

DEADLINE: OPEN

BayNet Library and Information Network

CalOpps

Library Jobs in California

Southern California Library Cooperative

Altadena Library :: A Big Thank You To Bruce - Volunteer Tutor

A Big Thank You To Bruce

Connect: November 2018

Altadena Library :: One-on-one tutoring

Learners are matched with a tutor for regularly scheduled study sessions.

Classes to improve English reading, writing, and comprehension skills. Classes are held Mondays thru Thursdays mornings at the Bob Lucas Branch.

There is no fee for tutoring or for ESL classes. Speakers of other languages may receive tutoring once they have mastered basic spoken English or may join our ESL class for beginners. To be eligible for tutoring, the participant must be able to complete the intake form by him or herself in English.

We Can Help You by matching you with a tutor to:

* Improve reading skills

* Learn to write better

* Increase reading comprehension

* Enhance speaking/pronunciation

* Gain basic computer skills

* Reach other goals such as prepare for a written driver's license test or write a resume

If you are interested in receiving tutoring or becoming a tutor, please call the Bob Lucas Branch Library at (626) 798-8338 ext. 102

CLA 2018 Outstanding Librarians in Support of Literacy Award :: Stacey Costello Colusa Co :: John Szabo LAPL

2018 Outstanding Librarians in Support of Literacy Award

CLA Net: 6.29.2018

CLA's Outstanding Librarian in Support of Literacy Award recognizes a librarian who has demonstrated passion, excellence and dedication in support of adult literacy.

Two awards will be given out in 2018.  The Outstanding Librarian in Support of Literacy Award recipients will each receive $1,000 and will be honored at the CLA annual conference.

The award is sponsored by the Library of Congress Literacy Awards and the California Center for the Book.

2018 Award Recipients

Stacey Costello, Colusa County Free Library

Stacey Zwald Costello returned home to Colusa County after more than fifteen years in the Bay Area, where she worked as a Curatorial Assistant in the history department of the Oakland Museum of California, and later as Assistant Editor at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University.

Costello started her official tenure on the centennial anniversary of the Colusa County Free Library, and has since worked to broaden services and programming, update collections and take the library system into its second hundred years with the ability to meet the evolving needs of the community. Working with library staff, patrons, and community organizations, the library has been able to expand service hours, build collections more reflective of our community, revitalize branch locations and improve the overall health of the library.

Unfortunately, Colusa County currently has an illiteracy rate of 34%.  In just under 3 years of Costello taking the helm, she has supported the Colusa County Free Library Literacy Program in the creation of a digital literacy program, U.S. citizenship seminars, an adult learner book and conversation clubs, and the recruitment and retention of adult tutors and learners alike. In addition, Costello was awarded a grant from the California State Library for access to the Career Online High School program. In support of developing and fostering early literacy skills and a love of reading, Costello has introduced weekly family story time to all seven branch locations, as well as provided programming in Spanish and for children with special needs, supported the expansion of the Raising a Reader program and hosted Growing Start Playgroups in our most rural outposts.

Her commitment to literacy services is a reflection of her commitment to the community at large, and her belief that literacy is an integral aspect to being a productive and happy person.

John Szabo, Los Angeles Public Library

John F. Szabo is the City Librarian of the Los Angeles Public Library, which serves over four million people—the largest population of any public library in the United States.  He oversees the Central Library, 72 branches and the library’s $182 million budget.

Under his leadership, the Library’s major initiatives include those related to immigrant integration and citizenship, improving financial literacy and providing health resources and programs.  He has expanded the library’s reach into the city’s diverse communities through partnerships with several community-based organizations.

He has more than 25 years of leadership experience in public libraries, previously serving as the director of four libraries including the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System.

He currently serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees of OCLC and on the Board of Directors for California Humanities and the University of Southern California Center for Library Leadership and Management.  He has previously served on the Executive Board of the Urban Libraries Council and as president of the Florida Library Association.

Past Winners:

2017: Ned Branch, Blanchard Community Library

2016: Heather Pizzuto, Carlsbad City Library

2015: Jayanti Addleman, Monterey County Free Libraries

2014: Natasha Casteel, City Librarian, Roseville Public Library

2013: Patricia Noa, Regional Services Manager, Orange County Public Library

2012: Christy Aguirre, Sacramento Public Library

2011: Patricia Lorenzo, Santa Clara County Library District

2010: Anne Cain, Contra Costa County Library

2009: Derek Wolfgram, Santa Clara County Library

2008: Jean Hofacket, Alameda County Library

2007: Carol Starr, Marin County Free Library

2006: John M. Adams, Orange County Public Library

2005: Sofia Bellos, Oxnard Public Library

2004: Leslie McGinnis Rodd, Oakland Public Library

2003: Chuck Aston, Redwood City Public Library

Literacy @ CLA Conference 2018

CLA Conference

#CLA2018

November 9-11, 2018

Santa Clara Convention Center

Literacy @ CLA Conference 2018

California Libraries are Graduating Adults: Caps, Gowns and Bright Futures

learn how your library can offer Career Online High School in partnership with the State Library and hear from other participating libraries

Nov 10 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM

Books Through Bars

innovative programs across the state are putting books into the hands of some of our most marginalized citizens

Nov 10 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM

Beyond Barriers: Adult Literacy @the Library

adult learners from diverse backgrounds who are active in Partners in Reading (San José Public Library) or Read Santa Clara (Santa Clara City Library) will share how participating in a library-based adult literacy program has enabled them to overcome barriers they have faced

Nov 10 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM

Essential for Some, Beneficial for All: Evidence-Based Methods to Strengthen Literacy

dyslexia affects up to one in five people. Forty-five million Americans are unable to read above a fifth grade level. In California, 51% of our students are not reading at grade level. This underserved population of adults and youth with low-level literacy skills needs specific, structured interventions to develop their reading skills and see progress

Nov 10 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM

Come Write In with National Novel Writing Month at Your Library

learn about the non-profit organization National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and their Come Write In program which provides free resources to libraries, community centers, and local bookstores to build writing havens in your neighborhood

Nov 10 5:00 PM - 5:45 PM

Removing Barriers: Launching Prison Programs

what it is like launching programming in a state prison

Nov 11 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM

Collaboration and Conversations: Reaching Rural, English-as-a-Second Language Populations

meeting the needs of a rural residents many of whom speak English as a second language

Nov 11 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM

Empowering Library Patrons Beyond Walls: A Perspective From a Literacy Program

literacy programs in libraries not only help learners improve their reading and writing, but also empower them beyond library walls, and even beyond borders

Nov 11 1:25 PM - 1:30 PM

California Book Festivals & Events :: November 2018

California Book Festivals & Events :: November 2018

Books, Comics, Poetry, Storytelling, Writing and More !

@Mrs_Cramer 12 Nov 2014

Nov 2-Dec 2 Jewish Book Month

Nov 03   High Desert Book Festival Apple Valley

Nov 8-11 Loomis Cowpoke Gathering

Nov 10-18 San Luis Obispo Poetry Festival

Nov 16-18 Southern California Poetry Festival Beyond Baroque Venice

ALOUD: Library Foundation of Los Angeles  @ALOUDla

California Book Festivals

Los Angeles Literary Calendar  @LALitScene

Poetry Flash – So & No California

Poets & Writers Los Angeles Literary Events Calendar

Storytelling Association of California

African American Book Events

Book Fairs by State Library of Congress

Book Reporter – Book Festivals

Children’s Book Council Kid Lit Events

College Children’s & Young Adult Literature Conferences Festivals

Everfest Book Festival Calendar

ILA :: Literacy Calendar Worldwide

Storytelling Events

US Book Festivals