Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Oceanside Library :: An Assessment of the Library's Adult Literacy Program

An Assessment of the Library's Adult Literacy Program

A Report for the Oceanside Public Library

The Oceanside Public Library worked with Library Consultant Joseph Matthews from February to August 2018, and is now proud to share the result of Joe's hard work. Our many thanks to Joe for his dedicated research and discussion with people in Oceanside and the literacy community.

The proposal was requested to: "...review all aspects of the Library’s provision of literacy services for English-speaking adults... The Consultant’s recommendations may be applied to the Oceanside READS Literacy Program, or to any Adult Literacy services the Library may provide or coordinate.  The consultant will be expected to address the following areas and make recommendations:  --Community adult literacy needs and outcomes analysis --Progress and status tracking for adult learners --Resource management to meet objectives and service level needs --Tools and materials --Marketing and collaboration."

Executive Summary
The Oceanside Public Library (“the Library”) asked the consultant to review its operations related to the Oceanside READS Adult Literacy service (“READS”), and provide a set of recommendations based on the best practices from adult literacy services in other public libraries.

⬧ The Library management team, together with the READS Literacy Coordinator, should, on an annual basis, review its goals and track the overall performance of the program, to determine whether any changes need to be made.

⬧ If the READS program is to expand its reach, and grow to accommodate 50 or so learner/tutor pairs, then the Literacy Coordinator position will need to become a full-time position, and more space will need to be found to accommodate more learner/tutor pairs working together simultaneously.

⬧The Library should prepare a presentation that explains the availability and accomplishments of the READS program. The Library’s management team should ask to speak at civic clubs, churches and school PTA meetings, as a way to both promote the program and also to ask for people to encourage family members, friends and neighbors to visit the Library and become a learner or volunteer tutor.

⬧ The Library should ask staff members to make periodic visits to barber shops, beauty salons, laundromats, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, coffeehouses, ethnic grocery stores, doctors’ and dentists’ offices, and fast food restaurants, to deliver READS bookmarks and posters.

⬧ Bookmarks and posters should be visually appealing (use more pictures and less text), have a simple, targeted message; use few words (after all, the target audience for these marketing materials has difficulty reading); and use the language of the target audience.

⬧ The Library should add web links for tutor and learner resources to its website.

⬧ Part of the responsibilities of the Literacy Coordinator position should be to spend time in the community, to raise the visibility and awareness of the accomplishments of the READS program.

⬧ Even if the total number of learners were not increasing, the Library should begin discussions with the City of Oceanside to seek additional space for the READS program, and/or to remodel the space so that small study rooms, complete with sliding glass doors, and a ceiling made of sound-absorbing materials, are provided for each learner/tutor pair. Alternatively, the City could provide space for the READS program at another location, either as an addition to the existing location, or by relocating to one larger space altogether.

⬧ The READS program should continue to provide just-in-time assistance and coaching as needed by the tutors at the quarterly meetings. The READS program should consider developing a refresher course for tutors that is offered annually, and/ or encouraging more tutors to retake the initial training course.

 As part of the tutor orientation process, the Library should provide a tour of the Civic Center or Mission Branch Library to highlight the location of various collections, resources and services that might be of interest to the new learner, as well as encouraging frequent use of their Library card.

⬧ The READS program should seek to strengthen the existing partnerships as well as develop new partnerships.

⬧ The Library should report to its key stakeholders (Library Board, City Council, City Manager and the community itself) using a set of performance measures.  READ MORE >>

Saturday, December 22, 2018

SCLLN Literacy Library Tutor Training Calendar :: January 2019

SCLLN Literacy Library Tutor Training Calendar :: January 2019

For Local, California and National
Literacy or Library Conferences and Events
Southern California Library Literacy Network
Calendar


Jan. 03      Adult Literacy Tutor Orientation South Bay Literacy Torrance Library 7p
Jan. 07      Youth Literacy Training Santa Fe Springs Library 6p
Jan. 10      Literacy Coalition Meeting San Bernardino Co Library Highland 3:30p
Jan. 12      ESL Tutor Training San Gabriel VLC Pasadena 9a
Jan. 12      Adult Literacy Tutor Training READ OC La Habra Library 9:30a
Jan. 12      Adult Literacy Tutor Training San Bernardino Co Library Chino Hills 9:30a
Jan. 12      Perspectives on Physical & Cognitive Decline READ OC El Toro Library 1:30p
Jan. 15      SCLLN General Meeting READ San Diego Central Library 10a
Jan. 16      Adult Literacy Learner Orientation Newport Beach Library 6p
Jan. 19      Adult Literacy Tutor Training San Bernardino Co Library Chino 10a
Jan. 19      Adult Literacy Tutor Orientation Whittier Literacy Council 9a
Jan. 22      Adult Literacy Tutor Orientation Redlands A K Smiley Library 6p
Jan. 24      Read OC Speaker Series Health El Toro Library 12N
Jan. 24      Adult Literacy Learner Orientation Huntington Beach Library 6:30p
Jan. 28      Adult Literacy Tutor Orientation Corona Library 7p
Jan. 29      Adult Literacy Tutor Training Newport Beach Library 5:30p


Altadena Library Complete a self-paced, online training module
Beverly Hills Library Adult Literacy last Friday month 10:30 - 12 N
LAPL Adult Literacy volunteers receive 7 hours of Online Instruction
Local Tutor Workshops :: Always Scrolling in the Right Frame

Friday, December 21, 2018

Redlands Library :: Here’s What Members of the A.K. Smiley Public Library’s Adult Literacy Program Achieved in 2018


Here’s What Members of the A.K. Smiley Public Library’s Adult Literacy Program Achieved in 2018

909.798.7565 x4138
This Year, 92 Percent of Adult Learners Met at Least One of Their Goals
Redlands Daily Facts: 12.20.2018 by Diane Shimota, Adult Literacy Coordinator-A K Smiley Library

This season offers many of us the opportunity to read treasured messages from friends and family. It can be easy to forget that for some adults reading and writing is a challenge.

It takes tremendous courage for an adult to enroll in an adult literacy program and admit that their reading and writing is insufficient in meeting the goals they have in getting a new or better job, helping their children with their education or furthering their own learning. As the year ends, we invite you to celebrate with us the many achievements of adult learners currently enrolled in the Redlands Adult Literacy Program.

Each year adult learners set reading and writing goals. In 2018, 92 percent of the adult learners met at least one of their reading or writing goals. Most importantly, adult learners reported that their improved reading comprehension gave them a sense of personal freedom and independence. Improved literacy skills helped with fundamental life skills. For example, Isabel Vidrio reported that the adult literacy program helped her to better understand the mail she received; Cinderella Tran was able to fill out forms; and Salma Marquez had a greater sense of personal safety.

Many learners have personal goals of improving their employment or continuing their own education. This year, 22 learners obtained new jobs or promotions and eight learners reported that improving their literacy had helped them perform current work-related tasks better. Three learners met long-term education goals this year including two community college graduates and one who passed her high school equivalency exam. One community college graduate has begun work on her bachelor’s degree at Cal State San Bernardino where she is studying to become a math teacher for special needs children.

Nearly half of the learners who joined the literacy program to learn how to read with their children are now able to do so.  READ MORE >>

Tutor Orientation
January 22 :: 6 pm – 8 pm
January 29 :: 6 pm – 8 pm

Please call
Redlands Adult Literacy Program office at 909.798.7565, ext. 4138

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Downey Library :: Library Volunteers Thanked With Brunch

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Downey Library Volunteers

Thanked With Brunch
Downey Patriot: 12.10.2018 by Lorine Parks

“Volunteers make the library what it is,” said Claudia Daley, literacy coordinator who heads the Children’s Room as well as supervises the volunteer programs at the Downey City Library.

She’s usually right, but this time Claudia was wrong: she is what makes the library what it is, a warm and welcoming community center. Just ask anyone who is involved, for example, in the Adult Literacy Tutoring Program, teaching adults to read, often in a second language. Claudia trains the volunteers for six weeks in phonetics, before they meet their pupils.

Some of these volunteers have been tutoring for years, and that means a serious commitment of time on a regular basis every week.

Friday, December 7, 2018

Los Angeles Public Library :: Meet Michelle, One Of Our Adult Literacy Tutors

Meet Michelle, One Of Our Adult Literacy Tutors        

And Hear Her Story

Every day, for 35 years, we have helped adults just like you meet their literacy goals. Some goals include learning to vote, reading a newspaper, helping children with homework, and getting a better job.



Teaching adults to read and write would not be possible without volunteers just like you. No prior teaching experience is required. We provide free introductory online training and follow up support and training. Our goal is to help you succeed and provide an amazing volunteer experience for every volunteer.
We have several different volunteer positions available, with different responsibilities and time commitments. You can take a look at our opportunities and begin the application process below:

➧ Change a life - teach an adult to read!
➧ ¿Sabe español? Ayude a un hispanohablante a leerlo y escribirlo.
➧ Are you great in English? Become a walk-in tutor for adults!
➧ Do you enjoy public speaking? Become a conversation class teacher!

For more information, call (213) 228-7037 or find the Literacy Center closest to you.

When you volunteer with the Adult Literacy Program, you get as much as you give.

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Covina Library :: Winter Wine Walk - Dec 8 :: Second Start Literacy


Winter Wine Walk
Covina Library
Second Start Literacy
Dec 8 :: 5 pm


Good wine, good people, good times - the Covina Downtown Merchants Association bi-annual Wine Walk is here!  All participants must be 21 years of age and up, please purchase your tickets at the Covina Public Library - all proceeds go towards the Second Start Literacy Program!

Make it a girl's night, date night, or just enjoy making new friends while exploring Downtown Covina!
Donation:  $20

Literacy @ Your Library
The Second Start Literacy Program is committed to lifelong learning and educational enrichment. Programs are designed to help improve reading, writing, and math skills through individual and small group tutoring by trained volunteers.

For more information call:  (626) 384-5280