stories from the field saturday, june 27, 2015 ala annual conference
TRANSCRIPT
Stories from the Field
Saturday, June 27, 2015
ALA Annual Conference
Presenters
Kristin Lahurd, American Library AssociationDaniel Slota, A.K. Smiley LibraryDorothy Podolak, A.K. Smiley LibrarySandra Tauler, Camarena Memorial LibraryNorma Gerardo, Camarena Memorial LibraryCathay Reta, Azusa City LibraryNathan Steifel, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
2
• Adult ELLs
• Dollar General Literacy
Foundation
• 160+ libraries
• Eligibility: Public library; 20 miles
4
2014-2015 Libraries
Mobile Learning Fosters Adult Literacy
A.K. Smiley Library
6
Founded in 1898 Serves community of 70,000
Heritage Room and Lincoln Memorial ShrineAdult Literacy Program reaches 150 participants this year
80 active pairs of tutors and learners
A. K. Smiley Library
Lincoln Memorial Shrine
7
Computer Literacy Class
• 2 classes to date• 20 total participants• 5 volunteers to assist• 3 library staff to support• Benefits to learners
8
Web-based Reading Program
• 16 Elevate Licenses• Technology Enhances
Learning (TEL)• Tech Coaches• Learner Support• Program Monitoring
9
iPads for Learning
• iPads: 5 purchased• Variety of apps• On and Off-site• Elevate• Procedure for check-out
10
Partnerships• City of Redlands• Friends of Library• American
Association of University Women (AAUW)• Family Services Association• Redlands Unified School District
11
Communication Efforts
• Local & Regional newspapers
• Redlands Reads Newsletter
• Friends of the Library• Tutor emails• Literacy Roundtable• Christmas party
12
Program Development
•Board and Director support•Laptop cart•Future classes•Support for technology
13
Lessons LearnedComputer Literacy Class•Customization•Scheduling•Volunteer Support
Elevate •On-going Support•Update of Software•Tutor Involvement
iPads •WiFi at School sites•RFID Issues•Updating Apps
14
Contact InformationA. K. Smiley Public Library
125 W. Vine StreetRedlands, CA 92373
909-798-7565 ext. 4138Daniel Slota
[email protected] Podolak
ESL @ YOUR LIBRARYEssential Student Learning
@ Your Library
Camarena Memorial LibraryCalexico, California
Sandra Tauler, Library Director Norma Gerardo, Program Coordinator
WHAT WE ALREADY OFFERED
o Adult Literacy one-to-one tutoring; 15 – 30 adults per FY
o Let’s Talk – Conversation group; 5-20 adults
o Mango Languages
16
AMERICAN DREAM ESL @ YOUR LIBRARY
o 2 components: - ESL Class - Self-paced learning iPads
o 24 students
17
IPADS, TEXTBOOKS & WORKBOOKS
o 8 iPads
o 24 textbooks and 24 workbooks
18
o Grant $7,720
o PersonnelTeacher’s stipend $3,000
o Collection DevelopmentBooks & workbooks $1,520
o Technology8 iPads $3,200
ALLOCATING GRANT FUNDS
19
PARTNERSHIPS, OUTREACH & MEDIA
20
o Community partners: - Calexico Neighborhood House - Robert Morales Adult Schoolo Outreach – Two literacy fairso Media – Local newspaper, flyers,
library’s Facebook page
ASSESSING PROGRAM & STUDENT SUCCESS
o Student retentiono Mango Languages’
assessment o Student pre and post survey
21
CLASS IN PROGRESS
o Class roster – high turnover o Keep in touch with the teacher and
students o Create a “Borrower’s Agreement” for
the iPadso iPad protection cover and carrying
bag
22
CONTACT INFORMATION
o Sandra Tauler, Library Director [email protected]
o Norma Gerardo, Program Coordinator
23
LeamosTM (Let’s Read) at the Library
Azusa City Library
California
Azusa City Library
25
• Population 46,361• 58.5% speak
language other than English at home
• 67% Hispanic• 11.6% Spanish
speakers in L.A. County non-literate
Suburb of Los Angeles, nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel Valley
26
“What we really need is ESL.”“Ok. Let’s do ESL. You and us together.”
Original Partners:Neighborhood Homework Help
Foothill Family ServiceCanyon Christian FellowshipFoursquare Hispanic ChurchDalton Elementary School
Lee Elementary School
27
Unique ModelLibrary provides •leadership, •tutor training and support, •books and materials
Sites provide •Site Coordinator, •tutor and student recruitment, •space
Each site is autonomous, yet connected.
28
Unique Model
• Volunteers tutor small groups (3-5)• At sites where students are connected• To overcome social filter issues
29
Adults who have not been successful elsewhere – due to lack of time, lack of confidence
Our Niche
30
LeamosTM (Let’s Read)
• Spanish Literacy online course (www.leamos.org)
• Adults with less than 3 years formal education
• Assisted by Volunteers
31
• Chromebooks• Volunteer Coordinator: Monica Mejia
Ponce Recruitment, outreach, trains other tutors
32
What Makes it a Partnership?
Let’s start with the MOU
Memorandum of Understanding
33
Issues and RewardsIssues Rewards
• Paper Flow• Ownership• Slows down the process• Financial
Considerations
• Reach new patrons• Increase library
visibility• Increase use of library
collection• More connected with
the community
34
Sometimes the hardest part
is letting go.
Collaborating with Public Libraries to Promote Citizenship and Immigrant Civic Integration
American Library Association Annual ConferenceSan Francisco, CA • June 27, 2015
36
What is USCIS?U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) secures America’s promise as a nation of immigrants by providing accurate and useful information to our customers, granting immigration and citizenship benefits, promoting an awareness and understanding of citizenship, and ensuring the integrity of our immigration system
USCIS and Public LibrariesWhy partner with libraries?
‘Welcoming spaces‘
Convenient locations
Public Internet access
Support for lifelong learning
Information navigators (both inside and outside the library)
More than 55 percent of people who immigrated to the United States within the last 15 years use the public library at least once per week*
*Institute of Museum and Library Services. Talking Points: Libraries are Key to Success for New Americans. June 2012. http://www.imls.gov/assets/1/workflow_staging/AssetManager/2270.PDF
USCIS and Public LibrariesMechanisms for Collaboration
Memorandum of Understanding with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
Letters of agreement with cities and municipalities
USCIS Citizenship and Integration Grant Program
USCIS Community Relations Officers
USCIS and Public LibrariesMemorandum of Understanding with IMLS
Former USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas and then IMLS Director Susan Hildreth announced the partnership on April 15, 2013
Objective: Expand the availability of information about the citizenship and naturalization process for immigrants
Does not include a formal funding source
5 training webinars provided for librarians
73 naturalization ceremonies held in public libraries
212 naturalization information sessions held in public libraries with 4,023 individuals in attendance
Dedicated USCIS web page for the library community http://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/organizations/libraries
USCIS-IMLS Accomplishments in Fiscal Year 2014
USCIS and Public LibrariesLetters of Agreement with Cities
Los Angeles, CA – 73 public libraries
Chicago, IL – 80 public libraries
Nashville, TN – 21 public libraries
Atlanta, GA – 34 public libraries
New York, NY – 217 public libraries
Boston, MA – 24 public libraries
Additional cities coming soon…
Stories from the FieldCity of Los Angeles
Established ‘Citizenship Corners’ in each of the 73 Los Angeles public libraries
Distributed nearly 144,800 publications to Los Angeles public libraries
Trained more than 100 Los Angeles public librarians on the naturalization process and USCIS citizenship preparation materials and resources
Held citizenship-related programs (including classes and information sessions) for more than 2,700 attendees at Los Angeles public library locations
Stories from the FieldCity of Los Angeles (cont.)
Three contributing factors to success:
Community support through a privately-funded directory of immigration and naturalization service providers
Collaboration with local USCIS grant recipients
Ongoing promotion by city officials (through op-eds in local papers, PSAs, and speaking engagements)
Stories from the FieldCity of Nashville
Nashville’s Pathway for New Americans Program links immigrants with local libraries and community centers that have established ‘New Americans Corners’
USCIS has provided training to Nashville librarians to assist aspiring citizens
Nashville libraries offer citizenship and ESL classes, and tools and resources to help aspiring citizens prepare for naturalization
USCIS also conducted a training seminar for local adult educators at Nashville’s Main Library
USCIS and Public LibrariesCitizenship and Integration Grant Program
Since 2009, USCIS has awarded approximately $43 million through 222 grants to public and private non-profit organizations, including libraries
To qualify, organizations must have recent experience providing citizenship instruction and naturalization application services to eligible permanent residents
Additional information is available at www.uscis.gov/grants
Stories from the FieldHartford Public Library (HPL)
HPL received USCIS grant funding in 2010, 2011, and 2014
The American Place at HPL is a free program designed to welcome immigrants and support their transition into their new home
HPL is recognized by the Board of Immigration Appeals to provide legal advice and representation to immigrants
HPL offers free citizenship and ESL classes and volunteer cultural navigators to help mentor and tutor new immigrants
USCIS Resources for LibrariesCommunity Relations Officers
Located in each of USCIS’s 26 district offices
Build collaborative relationships with stakeholders through:
o Regular meetings
o Educational presentations
o Special sessions on specific USCIS initiatives
Contact your local Community Relations Officer at [email protected]
USCIS Resources for Libraries
USCIS has developed an information page for libraries. This page includes helpful resources, upcoming webinars, contact details for local USCIS CROs, and much more. The page is available at www.uscis.gov/citizenship/organizations/libraries
Next Steps
Visit the ‘Libraries’ section of the Citizenship Resource Center – www.uscis.gov/citizenship
Consider establishing a ‘Citizenship Corner’ at your library
Contact your local USCIS Community Relations Officer at [email protected]
Participate in an upcoming USCIS webinar for librarians
Sign up for USCIS email alerts
Supporting Citizenship Education in Your Library
