Carrie+Scott+update+in+2010

Carrie Scott at Carlsbad Library Literacy Program Phone conversation on Friday, July 09, 2010toc

Carrie Scott is the full time director as of the beginning of this year. In the past years, she held interim and ¾ position of the director.

Recently moved to a new location and as Carrie puts it they are almost embarrassed by the blessings they have. Much of the funding was allotted for the purpose of the new building and resources years ago.

About

 * Medium size, on average 70-80 adult learner/tutor pairs plus 30-35 high school students during the school year
 * Primary mode one-on-one
 * Learner literacy goals curriculum – get a job, read to children, get citizenship
 * Teach learners how to use the Internet to search, how to create a resume in MS Word
 * In addition to showing the actual collections on shelves they teach learners how to use a library catalog online so that they can browse on their own
 * Using software program for developing fluency
 * Experiencing a surge of volunteerism
 * At most 10 learners on the waiting list and a number of volunteers until a good match established
 * Technology is one place where there’s a lot of people who have high tech skill and are willing to contribute to the program
 * When started incorporating technology – got a different type of volunteer (interested in learning more about technology, but also sharing with others)
 * Recommend CLLS and OTAN resources for Library Literacy Programs

Individual tutoring rooms – with a computer

 * Goal to have a learner use technology the way a proficient reader would
 * Moving between the books, print based materials and the computer and the Interntet

Traditional computer lab

 * 8 + 1 instructor station, interactive whiteboard (Polyvision)
 * Recently purchased a document camera/digital presenter (reading medical labels, and many other exciting possibilities)
 * Networked printers
 * Software that erases any changes made during the day, but there is a drive space to save learner’s work
 * For training of tutors and learners
 * To teach tech skills
 * To improve literacy skills

Portable digital voice recorders

 * To hear themselves reading
 * Still checking out CD players and cassette players

LCD/data projectors

 * In the computer lab
 * In the community room (for flexible purposes, class about how to pick a book that you like, watched the Inauguration)

Extending the learning beyond 1.5x2=3 hours a week
· There are 156 hours total available for the learners, and fewer when holidays, sick days and other absences add up · Developed small groups to focus on a particular goal, · in addition to the 3hrs/wk - they can take a class around a goal or a computer skills class · usually fewer than 6 people in a group · interested in exploring online meeting options

Transfer of skills to their home computers from the library computers
· Library computers are state of the art with set paths for saving files to a network drive (confusing when learners try it at home). Computers are not filtered, but users receive a warning screen before continuing to potentially inappropriate content. · Planning classes for this summer on how to use a USB drive (it will show as removable drive on both home and library computer) · Purchased 1GB USB drives to give to learners and tutors

- It is difficult for learners to type the correct address without mistakes when copying from the printed list · Working with a reference librarian who posts content on the Library Web site · Will carve out a place where the Literacy Program can have a list of Useful Web sites · When learners get the USB drives they’ll get a document with the list and links to click on

Web site
http://www.carlsbadca.gov/services/departments/library/literacy/Pages/default.aspx

related - http://timac.wikispaces.com/OTANforLibraryLiteracyPrograms