Writer To Writer

Learning literacy: Learning to read turned David Springer's life around. In fact, it gave him a whole new life. Fresno Bee: 10.12.07 by Sarah Jimenez

VISALIA -- David Springer was never much of a reading fan. He dropped out of high school after his sophomore year because he couldn't focus in class. More than 20 years passed before he would start working toward his GED.

Now, Springer, 43, goes through two books a week. He's scheduled to take the last section of the GED test next week. And Saturday, he was honored as a finalist in the 2007 Writer to Writer Challenge, an annual statewide event for adult literacy learners.

Not bad for a man who battled alcoholism for much of his life and was again facing jail time a year and half ago.

"My mom always said, 'Dave, you're smart enough. You just got to apply it,'" he said. "And now it's clicking."

Springer credits the Tulare County Library's literacy program and Visalia Rescue Mission for helping him get his life together.

He moved to Visalia from Mariposa County about a year and half ago after a judge sentencing him for alcohol-related charges told him he had two choices: jail time or the Visalia Rescue Mission.

At the mission, Springer decided to get sober and pursue his GED.

Springer said he could read basic information but never tried to improve his reading skills. And he never read for enjoyment.

Now, he looks forward to his Tuesday sessions at the literacy center and can't stop reading.

"I read cereal boxes, soup cans -- anything I can get my hands on," he said.

For the Writer to Writer Challenge, Springer wrote a letter to Stuart Woods, author of the thriller "Capital Crimes," about how he related to a character in the book.

There were about 140 entries in three categories: beginner, intermediate or advanced, said Jacquie Brinkley, library programs consultant for the California State Library.

Springer's letter was among 30 submitted for the advanced category. He was one of 10 finalists.

Patricia Habeck, library program and literacy specialist, Springer is the first finalist for the county. READ ON

Oct 6: Writer To Writer Awards Ceremony

Glendale Public Library - Glendale CA

Beginning Level:
Rudy Borboa, Orange County Public Library (READ/Orange County). The Pursuit of Happyness, by Chris Gardner
Intermediate Level:
Alejandrina Roldan, San Bernardino County Library, Newton T. Bass Apple Valley Branch Library. The Old Man and the Sea, by Ernest Hemingway
Advanced Level:
Lupe Beltran, Nevada County Library. How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk, by Adelene Faber and Elaine Mazlish.
Presenters: Southern California Library Literacy Network - BALIT - CLLS

Video Highlights of 2005 Writer To Writer Ceremony @