A new staff member joined us in June. Malena Mejia is a volunteer tutor in the ESL Program at AACLC. She is a bilingual Spanish-English corporate trainer with a background in international business and administration, strategic planning, and ISO Quality and Environmental management systems. [click to continue…]
Our fourth-annual fundraiser BOOK FAIR will be on Saturday, September 28, at Westfield Annapolis Mall. The mall kindly donates its Community Room and Crate & Barrel Court space for this wonderful event.
We are now accepting gently used books at convenient locations around the county. No textbooks, reference books, or magazines, please.
Email AACLC.bookfair@gmail.com to arrange for book drop-off. [click to continue…]
Last summer, we featured Sherrie Abel and her tutor, Janet LaBella, in our newsletter. After a year of studying, Sherrie had just passed the written portion of the Maryland driver’s license test. This May, she passed the road test and got her driver’s license.
Congratulations, Sherrie, and thank you, Janet!
ESL tutors, please consider participating in a new ESL collaboration group that two of our ESL tutors, Lea Trimble and Mary Waters, are launching. This is an opportunity to share tutoring experiences and ideas, discuss your triumphs and challenges, and receive feedback and informal advice.
Thursday, September 12
4 pm until 6 pm
Arnold
Space is limited.
Please respond to Wendy to sign up.
If this group is popular, we plan to continue offering periodic opportunities to meet and collaborate.
Thirteen new tutors became part of the AACLC team of volunteers on June 22 at our spring tutor training session. Many of them are already working with students. Thank you to our training team, these eager new volunteers, and our hosts, Woods Church in Severna Park. [click to continue…]
The Literacy Council is busy welcoming new tutors, staff, and students. We are also grateful to announce continuing or new support from local government and a generous women’s giving circle. Please read other posts for all of our latest news.
This month, we’re also featuring an exciting student update and a profile of dedicated AACLC tutor and Board member Mary Austin, who has been volunteering with us for more than two decades!
Many thanks for all you do,
Jane
Read our news about adult literacy and local activities and resources.
Please support our book fair! We’re collecting gently used books now. Email AACLC.bookfair@gmail.com to inquire about drop-off locations. We are also seeking sponsors. Email Jane to find out about opportunities to support the event. The money we raise benefits our free adult tutoring programs.
Many thanks for all you do,
Jane
Jane Seiss, Executive Director
This list, published by the Anne Arundel County Food Bank and updated regularly, provides information on where to find free food and basic necessities throughout the county. Pantry locations, contact numbers, and hours are included. Visit the pantry map to see food, baby, and senior pantries all over Anne Arundel County.
Wednesday, August 21, 6 pm – 7:30 pm
https://www.aacpl.net/event/
Practice English or Spanish in a fun and informal setting.
Saturday, August 3, 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
From the library’s website:
“Waleska Casiano-Matos, immigration lawyer from Mid-Atlantic Legal & Immigration Services, will be providing free immigration consultations. Consultations can be given in English or Spanish. Individuals will register for separate 20-minute appointments. Registration is first-come, first-served. Call 410-222-1770 for any questions about this program.”
https://www.aacpl.net/event/
Monday, August 5, 6 pm – 7 pm
Adults at all proficiency levels are welcome to practice speaking English. All languages are welcome, and children may accompany their parents. Call the branch at 410-222-0133 for more information.
Monday, August 5, 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Practice your English or Spanish conversation skills, enjoy snacks, and learn about library and county resources. This event is for teens (11 yrs+) and adults.
https://www.aacpl.net/event/
Wednesday, August 7, 7 pm – 8 pm
Practice English and Spanish conversation in an informal environment. All levels are welcome. This event is for adults.
https://www.aacpl.net/event/
Also scheduled for Wednesday, September 4, 7 pm – 8 pm
https://www.aacpl.net/event/
Scholars are uncovering how critical Black women librarians were in building public Black book collections and communities of readers.
Did you know several library branches offer appointments with social workers who connect patrons with county and state resources? Help is available for financial assistance, immigration services, substance abuse counseling, and more. Regular social worker visits happen at the Brooklyn Park, Busch Annapolis, Deale, Edgewater, and Glen Burnie branches. Learn more, including how to make appointments, on AACPL’s website.
More than 43 million adults in the US struggle with low literacy. This article from ProLiteracy outlines the factors that have led to low adult literacy rates and makes public policy recommendations that would address this challenge.
From the introduction: “Why does the United States, one of the wealthiest countries in the world, with free public education in every state and school district, have so many adults with low literacy? Why does this matter, and what can we do about it?”
Literacy Council staff recently watched a documentary on literacy in America. The Truth About Reading is relatable, and we recommend checking it out. The film features the stories of several adults dealing with illiteracy and “sub-literacy,” as well as children who are struggling to learn to read. Experts interviewed in The Truth About Reading offer their advice on how to tackle this problem. The film is available for rent on multiple streaming services. Watch the preview and learn more.
This article, provided by Edutopia, offers four accessible strategies to motivate students to engage with texts and improve their literacy skills, especially if they are reading below grade level when they get to the secondary grades.
