Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Imperial County Library - International Literacy Day promotes computer, language tutoring for residents

International Literacy Day promotes computer, language tutoring for residents
Imperial Valley Press: 9.09.2014 by Krista Daly

Holtville resident Guadalupe Charles had never turned on a computer before Monday.

After an hour-long one-on-one tutoring session at the Holtville Meyer Memorial Branch of the Imperial County Free Library, he knew the basics such as how to use the mouse and navigate through the computer to get online and use different websites. Charles was just one resident learning computer literacy on International Literacy Day.

“Literacy is not just Spanish or English,” library volunteer Thomas Rose said. “It ties in with adult literacy if you’re computer-illiterate.”

Rose said he has been teaching people in their 50s or 60s computer skills because they want to learn how to use it for their everyday lives. This includes ordering things online and sending e-mails to family or friends.

“We are now in the computer age, and I need to learn,” said Troy Spore, who has been in tutoring lessons for about four months. “I’ve picked up quite a bit, but there’s still a lot to learn.”

County Librarian Connie Barrington said literacy is a crucial issue in the Valley.

“We’ve got hundreds … of people who want to improve their reading, writing and conversations in English,” she said.

As a volunteer tutor herself, she said it’s “literally the most rewarding thing” she has done. Volunteers are desperately needed for the literacy program, she said, which can make such a difference in people’s lives.  READ MORE !

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Redlands Library :: Adult Literacy Day - September 8

Adult Literacy Program in Redlands hosts volunteer meeting

The Redlands City Council has declared this Monday as Adult Literacy Day in the city of Redlands.

The city’s action coincides with Gov. Jerry Brown’s declaring September Adult Literacy Awareness Month. The California Library Literacy Services (CLLS) estimates that more than 4 million California adults have low literacy skills, making if difficult for these adults to read a news article, a story to their children, job applications or the instructions on a medicine bottle.

The 2010 Census found that 11 percent of the adult population served by the A.K. Smiley Public Library in Redlands lacks a high school diploma.

The Redlands Adult Literacy Program, sponsored by the Friends of the A.K. Smiley Public Library, provides free professional tutoring to people 18 and older who want to improve their reading and writing. The program now has 70 tutor-learner teams who work together to help meet the learners’ reading and writing goals. Recently, several learners graduated from the program to go to community college or work at a new job.  READ MORE !

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Newport Beach Library - CUCINA enoteca celebrates Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy during September

Orange County Celebrates
during September

During September at CUCINA enoteca Irvine and CUCINA enoteca Newport Beach, Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy is our #sipsupport beneficiary. For every glass or bottle of CUCINA private label wine sold during the month of September, we will donate $1 to them!

Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy is a division of the Newport Beach Library. They provide free, one-on-one tutoring, small group classes and additional resources for adults in the community who struggle with the English language. Their hope is that all participants are successful in achieving their literacy goals.

Over 200 adult learners typically enroll each year, and there are many more waiting to be accepted into the program. Unfortunately, there are not enough volunteer tutors to handle the learner requests. The program could not work without dedicated volunteer tutors.

The programs that ProLiteracy offers to Adult Learners are:
Book Club – a discussion group for adult learners about book selections in classic or modern fiction.
Conversation – helping participants understand and communicate comfortably in every-day idiomatic English.
Discussion Group – A weekly gathering of learners who are encouraged to participate in speaking on any number of topics that are presented during the session.
Learner Network – A quarterly meeting for adult Learners to learn more about the program, and each other in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Often, guest speakers share their knowledge on items of interest to the adult learners.
Life Skills – A weekly class that focuses on tools to help with everyday needs such as setting life goals, financial literacy, navigating social media, etc.
Movie Talk – Once a month a movie selection is screened for assembled learners. Each film normally deals with different issues that we face in the United States and afterward the group participates in an open discussion about the different topics addressed in the movie.
Pronunciation Workshop – work with a professional speech therapist in a small group setting on American English pronunciation. Each workshop is typically eight weeks.
Writing Workshop – Geared to working with the adult learner on creative writing. Each workshop is typically six weeks.

International Literacy Day is an annual celebration of literacy held each year. This year’s event is on September 11.

Check out these statistics:
•In the U.S. there are over 30,000,000 people who are at the lowest level of literacy.
•In California – about 8,400,000 people fit in this category
•In Orange County – approximately 450,000 people cannot read well enough to fill out a bank deposit slip.
•75% of unemployed adults have difficulty reading at a basic level
•Almost 70% of prison inmates perform at the lowest level of literacy
•24% of patients with low literacy skills cannot understand their prescription labels
•Illiteracy in the U.S. costs Billions in lost productivity and health and safety issues.

Friday, September 5, 2014

California Book Festivals & Events: September 2014
Books, Comics, Poetry, Storytelling, Writing and More !


WeHo Reads - Noir: Sep 6, 13, 20, 27
West Hollywood Library and Park

Sep 7-Nov23 Carlsbad
This traveling exhibition celebrates its 33rd year as a showcase for children’s book illustrators whose original artwork is seldom seen outside the studio or publisher’s office.

Los Angeles Black Book Expo: September 13, Baldwin Hills


Latino Author Summit: Sep 21, 10a-5p, La Verne Univ





Orange County Children’s Book Festival: Sep 28, Orange Coast College

Ongoing ::: Thru September
Skirball Cultural Center
LA graffiti artists inspired by 400yr books
ESMoA, El Segundo

Your one stop for all the most exciting literary events in the LA area

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Literacy Open House :: Whittier Adult Literacy Council

Literacy Open House

Whittier Adult Literacy Council

September 6, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM



The Whittier Area Literacy Council will host an Open House and used Book Sale on Saturday, September 6th, 2014 at 12911 Hadley Street, Whittier from 10:00am to 12 noon to celebrate "International Literacy Day".

At our Open House we will demonstrate the web based program i-Ready, meet with some of WALC's wonderful tutors and board members and highlight our plans to strengthen our efforts in the coming year. We hope that you will be able to attend this worthwhile event. Light refreshments will be served. We respectfully request and RVSP by Tuesday, September 2nd.

Please call (562) 698-6598 for further information.
Ticket Phone: 562.698.6598.


Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Monterey Park Library :: Walk for Literacy

Walk for Literacy
September 6, 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Barnes Park (softball field)



Come celebrate the 30th anniversary of the LAMP Program and the California Library Literacy Services with us on Saturday, September 6! The 6th Annual Walk for Literacy will be held at Barnes Park with check-in time at 8:30 a.m.

Show your support and walk with us!

Top Walker and the Top Individual Fundraiser will be recognized. Advanced registration required; $15 registration fee per person applies.
Ticket Phone: 626.307.1251

Monday, September 1, 2014

Burbank Library :: 2014 Trivia Challenge :: Literacy FUNraiser

Trivia Challenge

BurbankPublic Library

September 4, 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM


Ritz Banquet Hall
St Leon Cathedral


Silent Auction = Appetizer/Dessert Buffet

Compete for Trophy & Medals

3-person Teams = $250.00

$25.00 ($30.00 at the door)

Ticket Phone: 818.238.5577