Literacy – Spanning the US :: Waterbury VT :: Kyle TX :: Findlay OH :: Huntington WV

Literacy In The News :: Spanning the US

@VTAdultLearning

Success Stories: VT Adult Learning
Rutland Herald: 3.19.2021 by Elizabeth Espinosa

Vermont Adult Learning (VAL) has served tens of thousands of adult learners, ages 16 years and older, since our founding in 1980. Our programs include basic education and literacy, high school completion, GED tutoring and testing, courses for English Language Learners, workforce readiness and development, and transition to post-secondary education. Our services are free.

Elizabeth Espinosa, an English Language Learning (ELL) student at VAL was born in Archidona, Ecuador. Trained as an economist in her homeland, her professional background includes international work as a policy analyst, research director, and consultant. She applies quantitative analysis to complex economic and social policies.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 13

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 18-19 yrs. old

(college level entry)

 

Kyle Correctional Center Kicks Off Special Literacy Project With A Deeper Meaning

Kyle Correctional Center

KXAN: 3.19.2021 by Todd Bailey

A Central Texas correctional facility has a literacy program underway — reaching out to three different groups in the community to promote reading and writing, as well as lessons for life.

Senior warden Bernadette Rodriguez and staff at the Kyle Correctional Center are recognizing and celebrating the 40th anniversary of their facility’s Management and Training Corporation, or MTC.

For the milestone, they’re focusing efforts to change lives in key areas. For their first quarter, the center of attention is literacy.  WATCH 00:46

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 18

Reading Level: very difficult to read.

Reader's Age: College graduate

 

@fhcpl

Read for Life Supports Gift Of Literacy
Courier: 3.19.2021 by Sarah Clevidence, Director: Findlay-Hancock County Public Library

Recently, I’ve been considering how our patrons use the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library. With half of Hancock County residents as card holders, we’re fortunate to serve a wide range of community members. Many of you reading this today are library users. You might come in to browse our shelves or download digital titles. You could be one of the avid genealogists using our online databases, a home chef checking out a new cookbook, or an investor looking for stock information.

There’s another group of our community members for whom these activities are more challenging. According to estimates from the National Center for Education Statistics, 14% of Hancock County residents ages 16-74 are at risk for difficulties using or understanding print material. While adults at the upper end of this range are able to read well enough to complete simple tasks, such as filling out forms, those at the lower end may be considered functionally illiterate.

I simply cannot imagine how difficult these limited skills must make everyday life. I read The Courier daily to follow community activity. My daughter’s school sends emails with important information. I followed a new brownie recipe this weekend that included suggested substitutions. A letter from my insurance company explained coverage for a prescription and how to get the best price. Reading and understanding the information I’ve read is critical to my everyday life.

For those adults in our community seeking to build their literacy skills, the library offers Read for Life.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

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)

 

@CabellCoLibrary

Local Library Is Getting National Attention As Finalist For Prestigious Award
WOW KTV: 3.19.2021 by Natalie Wadas

The Cabell County Public Library is one of only 30 finalists, and one of only 15 libraries, announced for the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Services.

“It’s quite an honor! We were chosen as a finalist for the national medal, which is the highest honor bestowed upon libraries and museums in the United States,” says Judy Rule, the director for the Cabell County Public Library.

@TriStateLit

This year, the Cabell County Public Library was the only library in West Virginia to receive the distinction of ‘finalist’ from the Institute Of Museum and Library Services—which is the federal agency that oversees museums and libraries. “The award is given to museums and libraries that make a change in their community and have a good influence on their community,” Rule says.  WATCH 01:15

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 13

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 18-19 yrs. old

(college level entry)

Literacy – Spanning the US :: Elkhart IN :: Greenfield MA :: Santa Barbara CA :: Florence SC

Literacy In The News :: Spanning the US

Project Scope

Nonprofit Opens Doors To Men Seeking Help Following Incarceration
ABC 57: 3.15.2021 by Mary Caltrider

“Elkhart Indiana incarcerates a lot of men and women per capita probably a lot more than other cities, and there is a lot of jobs here, so upon release a lot of men do not have the structure or encouragement or support to be successful,” says Derrick Mathews, Director of Project Scope. 

Project Scope was established in 1996 as an after-school mentorship program for kids. Now, the Elkhart nonprofit is taking on a new mission. The organization, opening up a transitional house for men. The home, just one of two, transitional houses available in Elkhart county. Residents are welcomed to stay in the house for 9 to 18 months where they are welcomed to shelter, food and security.

The organization also offering them personal finance courses, social skills, and adult literacy to provide the foundation for men to transition back into the community.

“These are your neighbors, these are the same individuals who have done their time, have paid their debt to society, and they are returning back to society and they are going to be big impacts ya know these are the brothers, uncles, fathers who are coming back to the community that can share their story of their success in their lives to be able to help out the next generation and generations to come,” says Matthews.  WATCH  02:28

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 13

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 18-19 yrs. old

(college level entry)

 

The Literacy Project

State Education Department Recognizes The Literacy Project’s Programs As ‘Exemplary’
Recorder: 3.15.2021 by Anita Fritz

Many aspects of The Literacy Project’s adult education programs received an “exemplary” rating in a recent quality review conducted by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

The Literacy Project, which is based out of 15 Bank Row in Greenfield but also has classrooms in Orange, Amherst, Northampton and Ware, serves adult students who need a second chance to earn their high school equivalency diploma. All classes are free and open to the public.

Executive Director Judith Roberts said the program quality review was conducted by DESE’s Adult Community Learning Services, the division that funds adult basic education programs across the state. She said the review is done every five years, and it is “crucial” to funding.

“We are delighted that DESE recognized the dedication to teaching and learning that everyone at The Literacy Project shares,” Roberts said. “The success of our students is at the center of everything we do.”  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old

(Twelfth graders)

 

@SBPLSystem

The Challenges — and Successes — of Learning English Remotely
SB Independent: 3.16.2021 by Leslie Dinaberg

Admiring Adult Literacy Programs at the Santa Barbara Public Library

Pivoting, but still paving the way to knowledge, despite budget cuts and so many services shut down during the pandemic, the Santa Barbara Public Library’s Adult Education Programs have found creative ways to provide service during the past year. I recently joined the City Library Advisory Board and was impressed with all of the free programs they still offer, despite their physical doors being closed to the public.

Headed by Devon Cahill, an adult education librarian and former volunteer tutor, the Adult Literacy Program trains volunteers to work one-to-one with learners to help them achieve language literacy and other adult education goals. Prior to the pandemic, the tutor-learner pairs would meet up at the library to work on their language skills together. Since last spring, they’ve switched to 100 percent remote and have about 50 tutor-learner pairs working together.

Though it’s challenging, Cahill said that pandemic learning has been a success. Grants provided funding for Chromebooks and Wi-Fi hotspots for those that needed them. “Our success rate normally is over 90 percent with learners reaching the literacy goals that they have set,” he said. “During the pandemic, we’re working with fewer learners and tutors, but our success rate has gone almost up to 100 percent —it was at 98 percent last quarter.”  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old

(Twelfth graders)

 

Florence Area Literacy

Adult Literacy Center Still Combating Illiteracy During COVID
Everyday Life News: 2021

The county has about 138,000 residents, but 33% of the adults in the county are functionally illiterate and do not read above a 5th grade level.

Florence Area Literacy Council combats that by providing one-on-one tutoring to the adults in the county, but COVID is not making it easy.

Executive Director of the Florence Area Literacy, Christina Lawson, said when students come to FALC, they are working towards taking the GED test.

“Our average student probably reads on a third or fourth grade level,” she said.

Lawson said reading levels vary. She said typically a student cannot pass the GED test if they are reading at a fifth grade level, but for the test they need to read at least on a 10th grade level.

While reading levels may vary, in order to pass the GED test, students have to study English/Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies.

Lawson explained students come to FALC for other reasons as well.

“We have students who come to us who already have a high school diploma, but are working towards getting a new job,” she said. “A lot of jobs require testing before you are interviewed or hired.”  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 9

Reading Level: standard / average.

Reader's Age: 13-15 yrs. old

(Eighth and Ninth graders)

Literacy – Spanning the US :: Placentia CA :: Cheyenne WY :: San Benito Co CA

Literacy In The News :: Spanning the US

@placentialib

Meet Our Learners and Tutors
Placentia Library Newsletter: Mar-Aug 2021

Isha shares her experience tutoring her learner, Marisela:

As a college student involved in creative writing, poetry, and teaching English literacy, I strive to make every meeting with my student Maricela very engaging and inspiring. When Maricela first joined the library’s literacy program, she was eager and ready to dive straight into goal-oriented lessons, go page by page in the workbook, and learn flashcards. Though this progressed well, I realized that introducing her to some light reading, poetry, and current events could be a major breakthrough for her understanding of English. With this in mind, we started planning out all the activities we could do together on Zoom all while staying safe at home.

While preparing for her citizenship exam and interview, Maricela has been especially interested in the current issues regarding the US election and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the topics that made headlines this past year were not always uplifting. Together, Maricela and I chose to balance this by splitting our time between reading the news, and reading a short story or poem that reflects a positive outlook on life and learning.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 13

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 18-19 yrs. old

(college level entry)

 

Everyone Has 
a Story Project

Everyone Has A Story Project Talks With Wyoming News Now
Wyoming News Now TV: 3.05.2021 by Grace Foulk

Collaborative Connections, Inc, was recently awarded a 2021 State Literacy Award from the Library of Congress for their Everyone Has a Story Project. The program enables inmates at Wyoming correctional facilities to select books for their children and to record themselves reading the books, building family connections through the power of stories. The Everyone Has a Story Project was nominated for the award by the Wyoming State Library through its Wyoming Center for the Book program.

The Library of Congress State Literacy Awards Program, made possible through the generous support of David M. Rubenstein, recognizes organizations or programs that have made outstanding contributions to promoting literacy and/or reading in a state or local community.

Connection
Collaborative

Collaborative Connections was one of only seven organizations selected nationally. “I’m so pleased that this project was nominated and selected for the award,” said Mary Kay Huck, founder of the Everyone Has a Story Project. “The incarcerated, and especially their children left without a parent at home, are often neglected by those of us on the ‘outside.’ It’s our hope that the award will shed light on these families.”

WATCH 02:53

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old

(Twelfth graders)

 

@SanBenitoFL

The incredible Rebecca Salinas
Benito Link: 3.08.2021 by Natalya Gallion

I met Rebecca Salinas seven years ago at San Benito County Free Library as an English Second Language student and I have loved her from our very first session! Rebecca’s great ability to make you feel comfortable, warm and cozy beside her is admirable. Moreover, Rebecca’s amazing talent to explain any material in an easy-to-understand way was outstanding. She helped me a lot with my English and I was happy even just to enjoy her company. Later I learned that she had four more students just like me.

🔽
Another community nonprofit Rebecca serves on is the Friends of the San Benito County Free Library Board as a president, vice president, secretary and now as a treasurer. Moreover, Rebecca tutors in an Adult Literacy Program, Summer Reading Program, art, Winter Program and others.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 11

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 15-17 yrs. old

(Tenth to Eleventh graders)

How Much Does It Cost to Read a Free Book on a Free Tablet? ▬ Appalachian Prison Book Project

How Much Does It Cost to Read a Free Book on a Free Tablet?

@AppalachianPBP

Appalachian Prison Book Project: 11.20.2019

“War is Peace; Freedom is Slavery; Ignorance is Strength.”

So goes the official slogan of George Orwell’s Oceania, a hyper-surveillance-based police state underpinned by the illogic of doublethink. Defined in 1984 as “the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one’s mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them,” doublethink camouflages exploitation as generosity and violence as social order. The novel highlights the role of language manipulation in the maintenance of state power and the compliance of its citizenry.

The Hidden Costs of “Free” Prison Tablets

Aside from visiting a public library, any nonincarcerated American citizen with Internet access can unlock the secrets of Oceania for free by downloading 1984 from Project Gutenberg Australia. For those who prefer handwritten notes in margins, a used paperback is available online for less than a dollar. Or you can buy it new for $7.54.

As a result of a new contract between Global Tel Link (GTL) and the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (WVDCR), you might think people incarcerated in West Virginia prisons could use the “free” GTL tablets to download a “free” copy of 1984 and journey from “It was a bright cold day in April” to “He loved Big Brother.”

But people in WV prisons will be charged 5 cents/minute to access much of the tablet’s content. For now, a promotional discount brings the cost of reading e-books down to 3 cents/minute. Either way, it’s no way to read.

The books on the tablet come entirely from Project Gutenberg’s free online library. Most of the books we receive requests for at APBP—how-to guides (carpentry, starting a business, repairing small engines, etc.), contemporary fiction, popular mysteries and sci-fi, African American literature, Native studies, recent autobiographies—will not be available.

Since Project Gutenberg archives older texts that have entered the public domain, they do not allow institutions to charge people to download their e-books and audio books. The per-minute tablet usage fees provide a clever way for GTL to profit from people reading “free” books. 🔽

Here’s the breakdown of costs:

➤ Accessing content, which includes “music, games, electronic messaging, eBooks,” costs $0.05 per minute.

➤ Video visitation features cost $0.25 per minute.

➤ Instant messaging costs $0.25 per written message and is billed to the friend or family member on the outside.

➤ Sending a photo with a message costs an additional $.50, and video attachments cost an additional $1.00 each.

These rates could represent minimum charges, as GTL “may in its discretion change any pricing. Taxes, and regulatory and other mandated fees, may also apply.” The company reserves the right to terminate the contract if expenditures have not been recouped in 12 months.

🔽
According to research by the Prison Policy Initiative, wages for regular jobs in WV prisons range between $0.04 and $0.58 per hour. Taking the average ($0.30 per hour), a person must work for 66 hours to earn enough to read a book like 1984. READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old

(Twelfth graders)

Literacy – Spanning the US :: Beverly Hills FL :: Lincoln CA :: Muskegon MI :: Wilmington NC

Literacy In The News :: Spanning the US

@citruslibraries

Library Recognizes 2020 Outstanding Volunteers
Chronicle: 12.15.2020

The Citrus County Library System is grateful to have a community of dedicated volunteers to assist staff in a wide variety of roles. Individual branches rely on volunteers to help with so much more than shelving books. They excel at tutoring learners in the literacy initiatives, supporting activities and programs, and much more. We also have volunteers who plan and manage the book sales and continually advocate for the library through the Friends of the Library groups. These community minded individuals come from all walks of life, from high school students to retirees, and they all love the library.

🔽
Additionally, the Citrus Libraries Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Cherie R. Byrnes for her 20 years of dedication towards volunteering with the Adult Literacy program. Cherie has implemented, and been involved in numerous aspects of volunteering with the library. She has been recognized at the state level by the Florida Literacy Coalition for her curriculum development, program assistance and new tutor-mentoring. Cherie has also served at the President of the Homosassa Friends of the Library. During her tenure as president, she planned and worked numerous book sales, as well as helping with various library programs, in addition to Adult Literacy. One program that has flourished under her care is the Citizenship Classes that began in 2010. Cherie is a treasured volunteer and valued member of the library’s team.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old

(Twelfth graders)

Lincoln Library

Adult Literacy Among Several One-On-One Programs At Lincoln Library
Gold Country Media: 12.21.2020 by Nick Pecoraro

The Lincoln Public Library offers several learning programs for children and adults.

The ongoing Adult Literacy Program, provided through the California Library Literacy Services, supports adults who struggle with their reading and writing skills to meet their goals.

One-on-one volunteer tutors set goals for participants to successfully learn basic reading, writing and math skills for community college and/or study for General Educational Development (GED, a high school equivalency diploma), high school diploma and military tests.

“This individualization means adults learn what they need or want to learn, at their own pace,” said library literacy coordinator Amanda Toohey. “Tutoring is completely free and we work around each individual’s schedule.”

The library is also expanding its Family Fun Learning, an offshoot program that helps parents, grandparents and caregivers in the Adult Literacy Program develop their own literacy skills and ensure that their children don’t fall behind in school.

“The program is designed to break the cycle of low literacy within families by teaching parents and caregivers the skills they need to help their children succeed,” Toohey said.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 16

Reading Level: very difficult to read.

Reader's Age: College graduate

 

EXIT

Muskegon County Jail Finds ‘New Ways’ To Offer Education, Job Skills Training During Pandemic
MLive: 12.16.2020 by Rose White

Virtual learning equipment will soon allow the Muskegon County Jail to resume job skills training and education classes for inmates.

The jail’s Empowering Ex-Offenders in Transition (EXIT) Program, which provides services to inmates to help their transition back into the community, was paused in March due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Muskegon County Sheriff Michael Poulin said sheriff’s officials wanted to continue program but needed to “find new ideas and new ways” to administer it through the pandemic.

The virtual learning equipment will allow many of these services to resume in January. The new equipment will allow the classes to be video conferenced to 12 men and six women in the jail.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

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)

 

@cfliteracy

A Relevant Side Hustle
Wilmington Biz: 12.16.2020 by Yasmin Tomkinson- Ex Dir, Cape Fear Literacy Council

Like other great ideas, this one started with locals Paul and Tracy Wilkes. Paul is with Homes of Hope – India, ensuring the well-being of girls in orphanages there. One of his fundraising efforts was running an e-bookstore on Amazon, and when his non-profit had to shift gears, his wife Tracy, the founding Director of DREAMS, recommended that he pass along the bookstore as a gift/source of revenue to the Cape Fear Literacy Council. It makes sense, right? Literacy Council…books…a natural fit!

 But it wasn’t a step that we took instantly. Our campus was still in a state of chaos from Hurricane Florence in late 2018 when this idea was proposed. We already had a lot going on at our small organization, including piloting an expanded digital literacy program. Would this “natural fit” be a real benefit or too much of a distraction?

🔽
The result of this investment of time, energy, and talent is that every month, thanks to books, we are raising money to support the adult education programs at Cape Fear Literacy Council. Above that, though, we are trying to help others. We collect children’s books for Nourish, NC; we supply books for Little Free Libraries for the Wilmington Housing Authority and other locations; and we’re starting to identify books to provide for DREAMS and other non-profits. Additionally, we have a significant number of books to pass along to the Friends of the Library for their Book Sale, when that becomes possible again.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 10

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 14-15 yrs. old

(Ninth to Tenth graders)

No Right To Read: Profiteering Corporations Creep Into Prison Libraries ▬ People”s World

No Right To Read: Profiteering Corporations Creep Into Prison Libraries

@prisonbookprog

People”s World: 12.22.2020 by Kaitlin Peterson

When thinking about what incarcerated people need, perhaps a library is not the first thing that comes to mind. However, the population within prison walls is typically one that reads more than those on the outside. As a public librarian, I’ve long been keenly aware of the positive role prison libraries play in the lives of incarcerated people, but I also knew that recently things have been changing—and not necessarily for the better. Consultations with other professionals in the field confirmed it: The creep of profiteering corporations into prison libraries is increasingly threatening the access of incarcerated people to books.

═════════►
James Friedman, a former volunteer who ran a program that allowed distribution of books at the Allegheny library, explained what he sees as the real motivation for the tablet program: The point of getting tablets into incarcerated people’s hands, Friedman says, is to be able to sell access to communication like texting or video chat and games that he calls “time-wasters on your phone” that are hyper-monetized. “It’s basically a way to milk people of their commissary funds without selling them any physical goods.” On top of all this, just 214 titles are available on the tablets.

Few books, lots of profits

And then there are the private prison libraries.

═════════►
The Books to Prison Project reports being unable to send free dictionaries and blank notebooks to some areas because the contract between the prison system and a private commissary vendor stipulates that such items can only be received through commissary purchases.

According to Newsweek, it costs inmates 5¢ per minute to read books, listen to music, or play games; 25¢ per minute for video visitations; 25¢ per written message; and 50¢ to send a photo with a message. Wages in the state’s prisons range from 4¢ to 58¢ an hour, Prison Policy Initiative estimates.

Profiteering practices in prison facilities are difficult to challenge.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 13

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 18-19 yrs. old

(college level entry)