Friday, June 6, 2014

about the nation's first fully digital public library in Texas and literacy

Public Libraries Online has an article about the nation's first fully digital public library in Texas.  Within the article is this powerful quote which relates to literacy.  If any of your libraries or literacy programs are using ebooks as part of your adult tutoring session, share on our blog.

Cole relayed a story about a young family’s recent visit, during which a twentysomething father revealed that the e-readers were of no use to him, because he could not read. “One of our staff offered him a children’s reader, which is enhanced with activities that help with learning how to read,” Cole said. “He started shaking, and his wife couldn’t stop crying. It was a really profound experience for him and the staff.”12

Here are other interesting things they are doing.

BiblioTech’s current project is the mailing of 8,000 personal letters to the men and women serving in the armed forces who are from Bexar County. In each envelope, a library card with their login information will be included so they can download their own e-books. Bexar County also offered residents help signing up for coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) at BiblioTech. The free assistance was available through the end of March 2014. Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius visited BiblioTech in February, 2014, to promote the program.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Literacy Link

Literacy Link is an online resource for adults who need basic skills

Monday, June 2, 2014

Financial Literacy


Smart Investing at your Library:

 Looking for dependable financial education programming for your library? Smart Investing @ Your Library is a grant funded program developed collaboratively by the American Library Association (ALA) and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation. The program addresses the growing need for unbiased financial and investor education at the grassroots level.

Since its launch in 2007, participating libraries have helped people find the information they need to improve their financial decisions.

Developed by innovative librarians during tough financial times, the website's tools are patron-tested, practical and free to help start a financial education program at your library.

 Examples of the learning materials available include: Home Equity Advisor for older, middle and lower income homeowners, Love Your Money for college students and Gen i Revolution to help high school and middle school students learn about personal finance skills. 

 
For more information, email Pam Thompson, or call 850.245.6633.