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Library Services

Adult Literacy

Tutor help & hints

Story PyramidYou can help learners build a "sense of story" about narrative text by creating a "Story Pyramid" to guide them as they organize information about characters, setting, and plot. Ask your learners to read a story and complete the following:

Line 1: one word name of a character in the story

Line 2: two words that describe the setting

Line 3: three words that describe a character

Line 4: four words in a sentence that describe an event

Line 5: five words in a sentence that describe another event

The resulting story pyramid for "The Three Pigs" would look something like this:

Three Pigs

Wolf
Straw house
Huffing, puffing, determined
He blew it down
Pig puts wolf in pot
This was an idea that I found in The Volunteer Tutor's Toolbox by Beth Ann Herrmann. Thanks Beth, I think this is a great idea for comprehension.

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Volunteer Qualifications

Dependable and prompt
Able to relate well to people
Willing to maintain the confidentiality of the learner
Have a good speaking, reading and writing skills
Be flexible
Be friendly
Be patient
Be optimistic
Have a good sense of humor

PROGRAM INFORMATION

SACRAMENTO PUBLIC LIBRARY LITERACY PROGRAM

The Library Literacy Service began in 1984 with a grant from the State Library. Since then over 6,000 adult volunteer tutors have been trained to teach another adult to read. These tutors have helped more than 6,200 learners to improve their reading skills.

LITERACY OFFICE

Jackie Miller, Literacy Coordinator is located at the Central Library, 828 I Street, Sacramento, Ca., 94814 phone number (916) 264-2891. Judith Alvi, Literacy Representative, can also be found at this location phone number (916) 264-2727. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30-5:00. Literacy Representatives Teresa Gutierrez and Mary VanOrden are located at the Colonial Heights Branch at 4799 Stockton Blvd. The phone number is (916) 966-7323. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30-5:00.

COMMITMENT

We ask that tutors and learners meet at least once a week for a minimum of nine months at a location and time mutually convenient. A simple monthly report is required to keep us informed of your progress.

TUTORING SITES

Pairs are encouraged to meet at their nearest library. Please follow library procedures concerning use of space and maintaining a quiet atmosphere. Some library community rooms are available for you to use. Check with the library staff.

When you come to the tutoring sessions, please use the sign-in sheet. If you do not see one, ask the library staff to show you where it is located. It is better to sign in first thing so that you do not forget.

TUTOR IN-SERVICES

During the year, a variety of informative in-services will be offered. We encourage you to attend as many as possible. Watch for dates, times and locations in Literacy News Calendar.

LIBRARY MATERIALS

When you need materials, please call your literacy representative or add the material list to your monthly tutor report. Your request will be sent to the library branch within 3 to 5 days. Supplemental reading materials are available for check out at most of the branches. Please do not check out materials for your learner, but encourage them to apply for and use their own library card.

NEWSLETTER

Literacy News will be sent to you 4 times per year. Each issue covers a variety of topics of interest to tutors and learners.

SPECIAL SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

The Literacy Service sponsors several activities for Tutors and Learners. A Holiday Potluck in December, Summer Picnic, Recognition Ceremony to celebrate the achievement of goals during the year, and a Volunteer Luncheon to thank our volunteers.

THE LEARNER AND HOW THEY ENTER THE PROGRAM

Learners are English speaking adults, 18 years of age or older. When the prospective learner calls the literacy office an appointment is made at the library closest to them. An intake and profile assessment is given to establish where the learner will need to begin.

HOW TUTORS AND LEARNERS ARE MATCHED

The Literacy staff reviews the pool of waiting learners and tutors. Pairs are matched according to schedules and locations desired. Although geographic location and time availability are important factors in matching, we also try, whenever possible, to match people with common interests. We will call and discuss a possible learner with you. You will be given the results of the learners' profile and the material to be used. If you are interested in this person, we will give you their phone number for you to arrange a meeting.

CONTACTING THE LEARNER

Once you have agreed to work with the learner, we ask that you contact them within five days. A phone call will already have been made to the learner to let them know you will be calling. If you cannot reach the learner, call us immediately. This is very important. Some tutors have put off this contact, and learners have become discouraged and decided not to be tutored.

FIRST MEETING

This is a time to get acquainted and to make sure that you both agree on the days times and place you will be meeting. Please call our office after the first meeting to let us know how it went and if you need any additional materials.

SECOND MEETING

The second meeting is the recommended time to begin lessons. The office is available to both tutors and learners for consultations and assistance at any time. Please do not hesitate to call us with questions or any concerns you may have.

CALL US If you have any questions, need materials, or just want to tell us how things are going, please call the Colonial Heights Literacy Office at 966-7323. You may reach Jackie Miller, Literacy Coordinator at 264-2891.

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Sign me up

Some volunteers will tell you that they reap much more than they sow. The ultimate payback is the fun that comes with volunteering. That's right-by becoming involved and helping others, you may actually enjoy yourself. But you'll find other benefits.

Do you need to beef up your resume and expand your network? Volunteer service can help develop vocational skills that are useful when you apply for a job.

Do you want to feel better about yourself? Volunteer service builds self-esteem by creating a sense of purpose and importance. It allows you to share your experiences with others and help them through similar ones. It's easy to forget your own problems when you shift the focus to someone else.

Do you want to meet people who make you feel good about life? Volunteer service is a great way to find new people who share similar interests. These individuals are more likely to have positive qualities such as commitment, altruism, decency, and just plain niceness-characteristics often in short supply.

Do you want to improve your health? Volunteer service will not build muscles or melt fat but it is an excellent way to increase physical stamina. It gets you out of bed in the morning and keeps you active throughout the day.

SIGN ME UP!

So, you want to part of volunteering, the hot trend of the New Millennium, but are not sure where to begin.

Call Judith at (916) 264-2727 or send e-mail to jalvi@saclibrary.org

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