GED Session Date Changed

The second online session by VALF on Using the Internet to Study for the GED has been moved to June 7, Monday at 5:30 p.m. ET. To register or get more information about the session email VALFlorida@hotmail.com.  The session on language arts and reading will be presented by Glenda Norvell and Erika Greene.  Both serve on the VALF board and are experienced adult education and literacy professionals. 

New E-mail Address

VALF has a new email address.  You can now reach us through VALFlorida@hotmail.com.  Our old address will still work.  We feel our new address better describes who we are.  Touch base and renew your membership today.  July 1 starts our new year.

VALF and the Florida Literacy Conference

VALF members and friends attended the VALF annual meeting and programs at the Florida Literacy Conferece this month.  The conference was held at Captiva in southeast Florida.  All attending the meeting won door prizes with members getting the best prizes.  Stay tuned for a report on conference events and  VALF grant winners.

VALF Annual Meeting May 6, 2010

VALF's annual meeting is Thursday, May 6, at 3:15 p.m. in Captiva at the Florida Literacy Conference.  Glenda Norvell will provide a program on retention, followed by our annual report, announcement of grant winners, door prizes and more.

State Aid Saved Last Night

Again, this one was down to the wire.  Last night was the last meeting of the budget committee, and they agreed to save State Aid at the minimum needed to retain our federal funds.  It would keep the funding --level-- equal to this year.  This one was really a nail biter and any other scenario would have destroyed public library development in Florida.

Here is what Charlie Parker and the legislative chair sent out at midnight last night.

Thanks to Charlie and every one's hard work.  I know our literacy folks stepped up to help, which we appreciate!

Sandy Newell, VALF President

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State Aid - Budget Chairs Restore State Funding to Public Libraries to $21.2 Million

At midnight the House accepted a Senate offer to restore State Aid to Public Libraries to the current year level of $21.2 million.  When Senate Budget Chair J. D. Alexander made the offer, he asked if "the library guy" with the signs was in the room.  The library guy we all know is Paul Clark who has pretty much lived in the Capitol keeping the issue in front of legislators and the press for 6 weeks.  Senator Alexander was disappointed that Paul wasn't there and said that other advocates could learn a lot from him.

There, working the issue until midnight were FLA lobbyist Chris Lyon, Small County Coalition coordinator Chris Doolan, and whole contingent from the Department of State including Secretary Kurt Browning, lobbyist Rivers Buford III, and John Boynton.  This group barely left the Capitol all weekend long.  Chris Doolan had a very positive impact for us, especially on Sunday morning.  The folks from the Florida Association of Counties, and many county lobbyists have been working the issue aggressively as well.  The Salter>Mitchell pr folks distributed press releases for us at several critical junctures.  FLA's CapWiz wizard, Lisa Manners did an incredible job of keeping the message fresh and for generating over 60,000 messages in the last 6 weeks.  And nothing good happens at FLA without Executive Director Faye Roberts talents and effort.

Thanks to everyone for their incredible efforts and congratulations on the wonderful success!

Charlie Parker -

Using the Internet to Study for the GED Series--Sign Up Today

Sign up today for next Monday's free online webinar on the GED.  The sessions are for program managers, tutors and librarians.  Email literacyflorida@hotmail.com to register.  Provide your name, email, phone number where you will be on Monday and name of your organization.  You will get a link by Monday morning, April 26 to get to the webinar.  You will need a computer and phone to participate.  Plan to sign on by 5:15 p.m. to check out your computer.

Using the Internet to Study for the GED Webinar Series
       Overview of the GED Test  April 26, Monday 5:30 - 7 pm ET 

       GED: Language Arts & Social Studies  May 24, Monday 5:30 - 7 pm ET

       GED: Science & Mathematics   June 21, Monday 5:30 - 7 pm ET

       GED Materials & Online Instruction  July 26, Monday 5:30 - 7 pm ET

These free sessions are presented by Volunteers for Adult Literacy in Florida (VALF).
      Sandy Newell, President of VALF

Newest on Funding for Libraries

I was right.  The budget conference meets this morning at 8:30 am and will need to reconcil the 1/2 million with 21 million.  Keep up your messages.
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Ok...what I think I heard just now, was that the Senate put in $21 million for libraries....defintely a move forward. They had it at $15 million.  We need the $21 million to stay even.  House is still at a half million.

Keep you messages up and rational on why...they have to stay there. It is so important for development/survival of libraries in Florida...

It all means free library service, free information, access for all... so important!  See more posts below for context.

Sandy Newell