Monrovia Library What is Adult Literacy? Catching Up With Victor Castellanos

What is Adult Literacy?

Catching Up With Victor Castellanos

KUCR: 7.07.2020

Today we catch up with Victor Castellanos, coordinator for the Monrovia Public Library Adult Literacy Program.

The program helps adults with a variety of things, such as using internet video conferencing, writing and understanding smart phones. We discuss how the adult literacy program is virtualizing the classes, and the challenges of working with older folk who may be unfamiliar with technology.

Libraries are still active, check your local library for curbside drop offs, Kanopy streaming, and ebook lending!  WATCH  09:18

Reading Help for Adult Learners

We help English-speaking adults 18 years and older improve reading and writing skills so you can reach your potential as workers, parents, community members and life-long learners. Our trained volunteer tutors will meet with you one-on-one or in a small group setting. You will learn what you need at your own pace and will be able to apply new skills to your lives. We can help you with personal learning goals such as:

Passing GED or high school equivalency

Reading to your children or grandchildren

Studying for U.S. citizenship

Improving spelling, writing, grammar and pronunciation

Enhancing your job prospects

Using computers and understanding technology

Conversation and Culture Group

Practice speaking English by discussing current events in a friendly and relaxed setting. Build confidence in your work, school, family and social life. The group meets every Wednesday from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Volunteer to Help Adult Learners

Are you looking for a volunteer experience that matters? You can make a significant difference in the lives of adults whose limited literacy is a challenge in their everyday lives. We provide the training, materials and support you need to successfully help an adult learner reach their personal literacy goals. For more information about this rewarding volunteer position, call 626-256-8273.

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 11

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 15-17 yrs. old

(Tenth to Eleventh graders)

Simple English News Daily Send7

Simple English News Daily

Send7

Daily world news in clear English.

Seven minutes of the most important stories in slow, intermediate English.

For English learners, teachers, and people with English as a second language. If you want to know today's world news of politics, business, natural events and human rights in clear, easy English, then SEND7 is for you, every morning.

Listen and read transcripts.

Monday 6th July 2020.

Starting in Asia today…

There has been a large rise in coronavirus cases across the middle-east. Iran recorded 163 deaths yesterday, the highest so far. Saudi Arabia has passed 200,000 infections and the UAE has passed 50,000. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have seen fast rises in cases since ending lockdowns a few weeks ago. Bahrain and Qatar have the highest confirmed infection rates in the world – in Qatar one in every 28 people has been infected, according to Johns Hopkins University.

In Japan 34 people are thought to have died in floods. Heavy rain has lead to flooding in Japan and China. In China the floods have affected 15 million people, and over a hundred people are missing. In Myanmar rescue operations are continuing, 5 days after a mine collapsed killing over 170 people.

In the Australian city of Melbourne people living in 9 apartment blocks have been told not to leave their homes for any reason. 23 cases of COVID19 were found in the residential blocks. Melbourne Premier Daniel Andrews said that it will be traumatic for the residents, but it is necessary…

“There will be no reason for any of those residents to leave their home. This is in many respects the most challenging issue we have dealt with throughout this entire global pandemic. I don’t for a moment underestimate how challenging and how traumatic in some respects, that will be.”

Americas

In the United States rapper Kanye West has announced that he is running for the presidency. In the past Kanye West has shown support for President Donald Trump, and in 2018 West visited the White House… West has sold over 140 million records and has a personal net worth of 1.3 billion dollars – half that of Donald Trump.

The Dominican Republic. At the time of recording this podcast it appears that the ruling party will lose this election. If that is true it will be the first time that the Dominican Liberation Party has been out of power in 16 years. Luis Corona of the Modern Revolutionary Party appears likely to be the next president.

The rest of Latin America quickly…

Mexico’s confirmed coronavirus death toll passed 30,000 yesterday. Mexican President Lopez Obrador continues to say that Mexico must reopen, despite a fast rise in coronavirus cases. In Colombia reports say that 80% of intensive care beds are being used. The Colombian government has bought new ventilator machines, as cases rise on the Pacific Coast. And Argentina has extended its debt negotiation period again. Argentina received 57$billion dollars from the International Monetary Fund in 2018 – the biggest loan in IMF history.

Africa

In Mali president Boubacar Keita has met with Mahmoud Dicko, the leader of a protest movement asking for the president’s resignation. Tens of thousands of Malians protested last month demanding that Keita resign. People are angry at continued attacks by jihadist groups and inter-ethnic violence.

Algeria has buried the remains of 24 soldiers, 150 years after their deaths. The 24 Algerians were killed by the French army at the beginning of French occupation of Algeria, and their bodies were taken to France. The bones of the fighters were returned to Algeria last week and a ceremony was held on Saturday.

Europe

In Croatia there were elections yesterday. At the time of recording this podcast 60% of votes had been declared and the ruling conservative party HDZ had won the most votes.

And in the United Kingdom, scientists are trying to find a treatment for the coronavirus, using llamas. Scientists are seeing if llamas, the South American animals, could produce antibodies needed to prevent infection.

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 9

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 13-15 yrs. old

(Eighth and Ninth graders)

Orange County Library ◯ Being the Change ◯ Book to Action at READ OC

Being the Change

Book to Action at READ OC

Cal Book: 6.16.2020 by Julianna

Orange County Public Libraries / OC Read has designed a virtual Book to Action series around Being the Change: Live Well and Spark a Climate Revolution by Peter Kalmus. =Check out their upcoming programs listed below.  Thank you to Liz Romero and her team! Follow their #BookToAction journey on Instagram and Facebook for updates.

Composting with OC Waste & Recycling
Wednesday, July​ 1st @ 7pm

Join Steven Halligan from OC Waste & Recycling on July 1st at 7pm via Zoom and learn all about organics and composting! Send questions or RSVP for this program by emailing READOC@occr.ocgov.com. 

Being the Change Book Discussion
Wednesday, July 8th @ 7pm

Join OC Public Libraries and connect with others as we discuss Being the Change: Live Well and Spark a Climate Revolution by Peter Kalmus on July 8th at 7 pm, via Zoom. Read the book online at: Peter Kalmus. RSVP for this program by emailing READOC@occr.ocgov.com. 

A Conversation with Peter Kalmus
Thursday, July 16th @ 4pm

Join OC Public Libraries for a conversation with Peter Kalmus, author of Being the Change: Live Well and Spark a Climate Revolution on July 16th at 4 pm, via Zoom. Peter Kalmus is a climate scientist, writer and climate activist based in Altadena, California. Send questions or RSVP for this program by emailing READOC@occr.ocgov.com. 

About Book to Action

Book to Action is a framework that takes the basic book club concept and expands it to create a dynamic series of events for adults and intergenerational groups. Librarians work closely with a community partner to develop a series of programs. Community members read and discuss an engaging book on a current topic, attend author or speaker events, and put their new-found knowledge into action by participating in a community service project or civic engagement activity related to the book.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old

(Twelfth graders))

Southern California & Statewide Literacy & Library Events ◯ July 2020

Southern California & Statewide Literacy & Library Events

July 2020

SCLLN

Literacy & Library Events & Conferences

- Local, California and National –

visit the

Southern California Library Literacy Network

for more information

Graphic Novels in Libraries

Read an Almanac Month

July 01       Being the Change – Book to Action READ OC ONLINE

July 01       PROJECT READ - Report Form ONLINE

July 02       National Literacy Day Proclamation 5507, 1986

July 06       Summer Learning Week

July 06       Overview of Orton Gillingham Approach ONLINE

July 06       Orton Gillingham Teacher / Tutor Training VIRTUAL

July 08       Being the Change – Book to Action READ OC ONLINE

July 10       Clerihew Day

July 11       Bowdler's Day

July 15       PROJECT READ - Sentence Structure ONLINE
July 16       Being the Change – Book to Action READ OC ONLINE

July 17       CANCELED - Authors Booth @ California State Fair

July 17       CANCELED - Sierra Storytelling Festival

July 27       Holding Space: A National Conversation Series with Libraries VIRTUAL

July 30       Paperback Book Day

                   VIRTUAL CAEYC Conference & Expo (thru Aug 31)

#LitWeekLA

ALOUD: Library Foundation of Los Angeles  @ALOUDla

Los Angeles Literary Calendar  @LALitScene

Poetry Flash – So & No California

Storytelling Association of California

Camarena Library ◯ Adult Literacy on the Border Blog

Adult Literacy on the Border

Our First Blog Post: 6.04.2020

Welcome to the Adult Literacy Services blog for Camarena Memorial Library. We are located here in Calexico, California. Calexico is the southernmost city in Imperial County, and we share the border with Mexicali, Mexico. We know that 1 in every 2 adults in Imperial County is reading at or below Level 1 Literacy (PIAAC survey of adult skills). That's a much higher rate than the rest of California unfortunately.

So, if you are trying to improve your literacy skills, if you're an adult 16 years and older and are not concurrently enrolled in high school, and if you are able to do the intake interview in English, this is the program for you. You are at the right place.

Or if you are interested in becoming a volunteer to help an adult build their literacy skills, then this is also the program for you. As long as you are willing to commit to at least six months of tutoring and feel comfortable tutoring virtually (for now), we provide you with all the training you need and work with your schedule. Also, the staff here at our library are super kind and friendly, so don't feel intimidated about trying something new. 

Here you will find regular updates on our services, stories from our tutors and learners, and links to resources you might find helpful.

Currently our library is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we are still doing our best to offer you opportunities to learn or tutor from home. In addition to tutoring services, we offer a weekly conversation class (this is currently offered online via Zoom), and beginning ESL classes. We have a great collection of literacy workbooks and resources to help you learn or tutor. ( 12 comments )  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 11

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 15-17 yrs. old

(Tenth to Eleventh graders)

Riverside County Library ◯ Family Literacy Program

Family Literacy Program

Riverside County Library

The family literacy program at the Riverside County Library System’s Literacy Services is the newest addition to our program offerings thanks to the California Library Literacy Services generous support. This program provides literacy support to adult learners and their families to increase literacy skills across generations.

Family Programming

Libraries throughout Riverside County will be hosting different family literacy events and workshops, which include the following programs:

Family Literacy Hour

– This program offers an overview of the importance of early reading, shared reading strategies, and at-home literacy activity ideas.

Literacy and Loteria

– This program offers four weekly workshops for parents and caregivers on the following topics: Family Goal Setting

◆ Sparking Conversations with Your Family

◆ Shared Book Reading

◆ Taking Reading Outside the Cover

◆ Raising a Reader

– This program is offered during a library’s story time by providing a books for children and families to take home and read together over a period of a few months.

◆ The Lit Café

– This program offers more in-depth literacy workshop skills for both caregivers and their child.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 20

Reading Level: very difficult to read.

Reader's Age: College graduate

State Budget Deal Includes $1.75M Cut To CA Library Services Act

State Budget Deal Includes

A Cut To CA Library Services Act

CLA News: 6.24.2020 by Mike Dillon and Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

Save California Public Library and Literacy Funding

On June 15th, the 2020-21 State Budget bill, SB 74, was approved by both the Assembly and Senate and was subsequently sent to Governor Newsom for his action. SB 74 seeks to close a projected $54 billion Budget deficit while still retaining protections for “safety net” programs and K-12 education.

However, due to the abbreviated legislative session, brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, the Senate and Assembly were not able to secure an official “deal” with the Governor relative to the State Budget before they sent the main Budget bill down to him. Negotiations between the two Democrat Leaders and the Governor over the weekend were successful and a new, supplemental agreement was reached over the last few days.

═════════►

Unfortunately, despite our best attempts, the legislature and the Governor are making a cut to the California Library Services Act in the amount of $1.75 million, which will leave $1.88 million in the baseline for the program. This cut is not tied to the “trigger” as best as we can tell. We have attempted to get clarification of this action but it appears the $1.75 million would not be restored under the trigger package in Budget trailer bills, AB 89 and SB 121. (The CLSA reduction appears in the main Budget bill, SB 74.)

The Senate Budget Committee convened late this afternoon to begin processing 20 so-called “Budget trailer bills” that implement the terms of the new deal with the Governor. The Committee will be working late into the evening tonight and then the full Senate and Assembly will vote on the bills by this Friday.

The legislature will not know what the state’s true fiscal condition will be until California receives the July 15 tax receipts, and there will likely be Budget clean-up items that need to be considered by the legislature in August. In the meantime, the California Library Association Legislative Committee, Chaired by Carol Frost and Scott Love, will be meeting to discuss the development of a grassroots campaign which would seek to restore the CLSA cut if state revenues improve.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 13

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 18-19 yrs. old

(college level entry)