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Stories from the Field

Saturday, June 27, 2015 ALA Annual Conference. Stories from the Field. Presenters. Kristin Lahurd, American Library Association Daniel Slota , A.K. Smiley Library Dorothy Podolak , A.K. Smiley Library Sandra Tauler , Camarena Memorial Library Norma Gerardo , Camarena Memorial Library

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Stories from the Field

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  1. Saturday, June 27, 2015 ALA Annual Conference Stories from the Field

  2. Presenters Kristin Lahurd, American Library Association Daniel Slota, A.K. Smiley Library Dorothy Podolak, A.K. Smiley Library Sandra Tauler, Camarena Memorial Library Norma Gerardo, Camarena Memorial Library Cathay Reta, Azusa City Library Nathan Steifel, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

  3. Adult ELLs • Dollar General Literacy Foundation • 160+ libraries • Eligibility: Public library; 20 miles

  4. 2014-2015 Libraries

  5. Mobile Learning Fosters Adult Literacy A.K. Smiley Library

  6. Founded in 1898 Serves community of 70,000Heritage Room and Lincoln Memorial ShrineAdult Literacy Program reaches 150 participants this year80 active pairs of tutors and learners Lincoln Memorial Shrine A. K. Smiley Library

  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 Learned Computer 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 Information A. K. Smiley Public Library 125 W. Vine Street Redlands, CA 92373 909-798-7565 ext. 4138 Daniel Slota dslota@akspl.org Dottie Podolak dpodolak@akspl.org

  15. Sandra Tauler, Library Director Norma Gerardo, Program Coordinator ESL @ YOUR LIBRARYEssential Student Learning @ Your Library Camarena Memorial Library Calexico, California

  16. What we already offered • Adult Literacy one-to-one tutoring; 15 – 30 adults per FY • Let’s Talk – Conversation group; 5-20 adults • Mango Languages

  17. American Dream ESL @ Your Library • 2 components: - ESL Class - Self-paced learning iPads • 24 students

  18. ipads, textbooks & workbooks • 8 iPads • 24 textbooks and 24 workbooks

  19. Allocating Grant Funds • Grant $7,720 • PersonnelTeacher’s stipend $3,000 • Collection DevelopmentBooks & workbooks $1,520 • Technology8 iPads $3,200

  20. Partnerships, Outreach & Media • Community partners: - Calexico Neighborhood House - Robert Morales Adult School • Outreach – Two literacy fairs • Media – Local newspaper, flyers, library’s Facebook page

  21. Assessing Program & Student Success • Student retention • Mango Languages’assessment • Student pre and post survey

  22. Class in Progress • Class roster – high turnover • Keep in touch with the teacher and students • Create a “Borrower’s Agreement” for the iPads • iPad protection cover and carrying bag

  23. Contact Information • Sandra Tauler, Library Director • stauler@calexico.ca.gov • Norma Gerardo, Program Coordinator • ngerardo@calexico.ca.gov

  24. LeamosTM (Let’s Read) at the Library Azusa City Library California

  25. Azusa City Library • 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 Service Canyon Christian Fellowship Foursquare Hispanic Church Dalton Elementary School Lee Elementary School

  27. Unique Model Library 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. Our Niche Adults who have not been successful elsewhere – due to lack of time, lack of confidence

  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 Rewards Issues Rewards • Reach new patrons • Increase library visibility • Increase use of library collection • More connected with the community Paper Flow Ownership Slows down the process Financial Considerations

  34. Sometimes the hardest part is letting go.

  35. Collaborating with Public Libraries to Promote Citizenship and Immigrant Civic IntegrationAmerican 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

  37. Why partner with libraries? USCIS and Public 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

  38. Mechanisms for Collaboration USCIS and Public Libraries • 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

  39. Memorandum of Understanding with IMLS USCIS and Public Libraries • 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

  40. USCIS-IMLS Accomplishments in Fiscal Year 2014 • 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

  41. Letters of Agreement with Cities USCIS and Public Libraries • 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…

  42. City of Los Angeles Stories from the Field • 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

  43. City of Los Angeles (cont.) Stories from the Field • 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)

  44. City of Nashville Stories from the Field • 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

  45. Citizenship and Integration Grant Program USCIS and Public Libraries • 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

  46. Hartford Public Library (HPL) Stories from the Field • 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

  47. Community Relations Officers USCIS Resources for Libraries • Located in each of USCIS’s 26 district offices • Build collaborative relationships with stakeholders through: • Regular meetings • Educational presentations • Special sessions on specific USCIS initiatives • Contact your local Community Relations Officer at Public.Engagement@uscis.dhs.gov

  48. 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

  49. Next Steps Supporting Citizenship Education in Your Library • 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 Public.Engagement@uscis.dhs.gov • Participate in an upcoming USCIS webinar for librarians • Sign up for USCIS email alerts

  50. Questions? Please contact americandream@ala.org Thank you!

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