Literacy Services

Literacy Facts

Using data released from the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy and the 2000 census figures, it is estimated that 21.6% of adults in Lompoc are functioning at the below basic level and therefore lack the necessary skills to accomplish everyday activities like filling out a job application, reading the directions on a medicine bottle, writing a personal check, or reading a simple bedtime story to their child. However mundane these tasks may seem, they can be frustrating and nearly impossible for someone who is illiterate.

Limited literacy skills and fear of being judged prevent illiterate adults from reaching their full potential as employees, parents, community members, and citizens. Illiteracy knows no social or economic boundaries. It affects people from all walks of life.

Illiteracy is a solvable problem. With the help of a tutor most adults are capable of learning if given the encouragement, guidance, and appropriate materials in a setting where they are made to feel welcome and comfortable. The Library is a safe place adults can turn to for free and confidential tutoring and support. Once they discover they can learn, their self-esteem and capabilities grow. New opportunities open up and the lives of these individuals and their families move forward with new hope and confidence.

Adult Reading Program

The Adult Reading Program was established at the Lompoc Public Library in1989 to provide basic reading and writing instruction to adults with low literacy skills. The goal of the program is to reduce illiteracy in Lompoc and promote life-long learning. The program offers one-to-one and small group tutoring through the use of professionally trained volunteers. Volunteers are the key to the success of the program. They contribute 5,000 hours of volunteer service each year. Unlike classroom instruction, library based literacy instruction is entirely student centered with lessons developed to support each learner's unique goals, such as getting a drivers license, passing the citizenship test, obtaining new or improved employment, or passing the GED. Since the program's inception over a thousand Lompoc residents have improved their literacy skills and reached their personal goals.

Families for Literacy

To qualify for the program, a parent must be concurrently enrolled in the Adult Reading Program and have a child under the age of 5.

Families for Literacy is an early intervention program aimed at breaking the family cycle of illiteracy. The goal of the program is to introduce families to the value and joy of reading while enabling parents to gain the skills and confidence to support the literacy development of their children.

Reach Out and Read

To promote the values associated with early literacy and to reach out to underprivileged families, the Library partnered with the Santa Barbara Public Health Department in 2003 to establish a Reach Out and Read (ROR) Program. ROR is a pediatric literacy program that promotes early literacy development and the importance of reading aloud to parents at well child checkups. The program also provides free books and storytimes for low income patients who attend the clinic. Volunteers, particularly Spanish-speaking, are needed to read to children one or two hours a week on Wednesdays & Fridays.

Become a volunteer tutor and make a difference

Volunteer Application
Tutor Report

No experience is needed to become a volunteer tutor. Free training and support are provided. Tutors meet with students 2 to 3 hours per week at the Lompoc Public Library and Vandenberg Village Library during day, evening or weekend hours.

Qualifications: 18 years or older, dependable, prompt, interested in helping others, sensitive to different backgrounds and cultures, respectful of confidentiality, PATIENT, and able to read, write, and speak English comfortably. Volunteers are required to pass a background screening and a TB test. Fee's associated with the screening and test will be paid by the library.

Free Training: Volunteers must complete a basic reading tutor training workshop prior to being assigned an adult learner. Trainings are held 4 to 6 times per year. Please call 735-READ (7323) for next training dates.

Benefits included: Satisfaction of giving to others; learning about different lifestyles and cultures; share love of reading; learn new skills; making a difference in your community without reaching into your pocket book; help to resolve a limiting factor in the life of your learner; and FUN.

There are other ways you can help...

1. Volunteers are also needed for reading to children, fundraising, office work, public relations, and library programming.
   
   
2. Support the literacy program through a financial contribution. Donations help provide funding for tutor trainings, instructional materials, publicity, and expanded program services. In-kind goods and services are needed as well.
3. Encourage someone who may need help to get it. Services are confidential and free.
   
   
4. Invite someone from the Adult Reading Program to visit your business or organization to talk about ways to get involved.
   
   
5. Publicize the program through your community newsletter or public bulletin; distribute materials to your staff or members.
   
   
6. Write to your legislators and tell them education is important to everyone, including adults.
   

Call the library at 735-READ (7323) for more information.