Monday, October 20, 2014

National Day of Writing – October 20

National Day of Writing – October 20

Top 5 Infographics of the Week: The Importance of Writing


It's something you do everyday, yet you probably take it for granted. In fact, your day depends on it. Writing and reading are some of the most fundamental skills in our lives and it is especially crucial to students and those in the workforce. Studies have shown that workers spend an average of 2.6 hours per day reading and responding to emails.

That adds up to about 27 days per year! Reading and writing is clearly a big part of our life, yet literacy rates have been stagnant in the US for the past 10 years. Currently 32 million adults in the US cannot read, and it isn't showing any signs of improving. So today we're showing some infographics about the importance of writing, whether it be offering tips about note-taking, getting kids more engaged with books, or tackling the decline in literacy in America. Take a moment out of your day and just read.

#1: Write It Down by Course Hero
•Does note talking really help? According to a Professor at Cornell, after 20 minutes we forget 47% of what we learned. After 1 day, it increases to 62%, and after 78 days it jumps to 78%.
•Taking notes by hand combats forgetfulness by nearly 80%.
•Despite the benefits of note taking, only 65.5% of students take notes during class.  READ MORE !

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Whittier Literacy Scrabble Challenge - October 17



Join us for our annual Scrabble Challenge!
October 17

SCRABBLE fans!! We need you!!
Come play, eat dinner, and win GREAT prizes!

First Church of Christ Hall on Hadley @Newman Hall
6:30-8:45
Call (562) 698-6598 for registration information.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Literacy Library Jobs - California ::: Butte Co

Literacy Jobs - California

plans directs and supervises the daily fiscal and business activities of literacy grants, budgets and program expenditures in support of the operational literacy agenda for Butte County
This is a SUNSET POSITION that is set to end 06/30/2015
DEADLINE: Oct 17

Room to Read – San Francisco
conduct quantitative analysis of literacy achievement data for the purpose of determining appropriate fluency rates in each of our languages
DEADLINE: Open

Kaplan – San Diego
will assist in a family Literacy Program
DEADLINE: Open


Thursday, October 9, 2014

Carlsbad Library :: City Supports Increased Literacy Rates

City supports increased literacy rates
Coast News: 9.30.2014 by Ellen Wright

“Low literacy costs this country more than $225 billion each year in workforce non productivity and the loss of tax revenue due to unemployment,” Heather Pizzuto, library & cultural arts director, said.

In California, 4.5 million people cannot read above a fourth-grade level, Pizzuto said.

The Carlsbad City Library Learning Center is trying to change that with the literacy program, which celebrated its 30th anniversary earlier this month.

“The program is not just a worthy cause, but a necessary service,” Carrie Scott, community outreach supervisor for the library, said.

At any time the free program has between 70 and 80 pairs of tutors and learners.

Volunteers and learners must agree to an hour and a half of service, twice a week for a minimum of six months.

Scott said there’s no shortage of volunteers or learners although matching up people’s schedules can be a problem. The larger the pool of volunteers and learners, Scott said, the easier it will be to match people.

Another issue the program faces is getting the word out to the people who need it the most, Scott said.

“You don’t know who might struggle with reading and writing in their lives,” Scott said, “which is why it’s so important to get the word out.”

A lot of learners hear about the program through word of mouth.

Nyla Henry is an adult learner who heard about the program from her boss and said the program has greatly impacted her.

“This program has given me a new life,” Henry said. “I still have challenges but I have tools to help me work through them and overcome them.”  READ MORE !

Easy Voter Guide: Your Voice. Your Vote. November 4, 2014

Easy Voter Guide: Your Voice. Your Vote.
November 4, 2014 California General Election

Table of Contents

View the Easy Voter Guide online in English or Spanish.
View and download printable guides in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean.

Los Angeles Public Library - Pros and Cons



The League of Women Voters will present "Pros and Cons" programs at various LAPL branches during the month of October. These informative one-hour programs will give a non-partisan description of each ballot measure—along with arguments by both supporters and opponents—to help voters make better decisions when they go to the polls on Election Day.

Get the facts, hear the arguments both pro and con, and decide for yourself!

Cut through campaign hype about the November ballot measures and learn the facts! The League of Women Voters will give non-partisan descriptions of each ballot measure, along with arguments by both supporters and opponents.

Upcoming events

October 9, 2014 6:30PM to 7:30PM
October 11, 2014 1:30PM to 2:30PM
October 18, 2014 1:00PM to 2:00PM
October 18, 2014 3:00PM
October 21, 2014 6:00PM to 7:00PM
October 21, 2014 6:00PM

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

California Library Literacy Services @ Library of Congress Literacy Awards: October 8

Library of Congress Literacy Awards – October 8

Librarian of Congress James H. Billington will deliver opening remarks, and philanthropist David M. Rubenstein will make a keynote address during the second annual Library of Congress Literacy Awards presentation ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 2 p.m. in room LJ-119 of the Thomas Jefferson Building, located at 10 First St. S.E., Washington, D.C. The event, sponsored by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.


Library of Congress Literacy Award Winners Announced

Room to Read, SMART, Mother Child Education Foundation Take Prizes

Librarian of Congress James H. Billington today announced at the Library of Congress National Book Festival the winners of the 2014 Library of Congress Literacy Awards, a program originated and sponsored by philanthropist David M. Rubenstein.

California Library Literacy Services
Headed to DC today at the invitation of the Library of Congress to represent California Library Literacy Services and share one of our Best Practices -- Roles & Goals -- a learner-centered approach to establishing individual literacy goals and measuring impact.

Best Practices – Library of Congress Literacy Awards
A “Best Practices” publication was produced to highlight outstanding work of the organizations that applied for awards in 2014 and 2013.