FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY | Truckee literacy volunteers honored

2008 marked the 10th anniversary of the Adult Literacy Program of the Nevada County Library system, which includes Truckee. Program volunteers have spent the last decade tutoring community members in reading, writing and speaking in English. On Dec. 17, the Truckee Friends of the Library hosted a Volunteer Appreciation Party to celebrate the life-changing literacy events which occurred during 2008 in the Read Up Adult Literacy Program. These life-changing events have occurred due to the combined efforts of 21 dedicated volunteer Truckee tutors and 34 diligent, hard-working adult students.

Considered one of the most exciting rewards is four ESL/literacy students have received their U.S. citizenship: Rosario Contreras, Martha Sandoval, Letitia Valdivia and Xiaowei Zhuang.

In addition, 10 new volunteer tutors and 17 new ESL/literacy adult students joined the Read Up Adult Literacy Program.

Students’ increased language skills had many results academically and vocationally. Being conversant in English makes it possible for some to pursue higher education. Letitia Aguila received her A.A. degree from Sierra Community College. Maria Gonzales is close to completing the A.A. degree program. Maria Zozaya has taken college courses. All of the students, except young mothers, are gainfully employed. Some advanced to new jobs and/or received promotions. In addition to reading at home to their children in English, several of the program’s students now help in their children’s classrooms.

The ESL/literacy students also acquired leadership skills organizing and running four student meetings throughout the year. Student leaders include Carment Lopez, Miguel Martinez, Letitia Aguilar and Reyna Sanchez Lopez.

For the preschool-aged children of adult students, new books were taken to their homes to help begin a children’s library. In addition, 150 children’s books were awarded as prizes at Truckee Elementary School’s Pumpkin Patch Carnival.

Our program received a new look with the a brand-new, picture-friendly, bilingual brochure and a new name: “Read Up.” Recently, we became a nonprofit member of Channel 6/24 TTCTV. Our ad is airing on Channel 6 and provides the community with literacy information and invites the public to consider becoming volunteer literacy tutors.

Finally, 2008 witnessed increased tutor support in Truckee with five new tutor training classes, plus new ESL book acquisitions including teacher manuals, student books and CD’s for both tutor and student. To volunteer to tutor in the Read Up Adult Literacy Program or to help a student enroll in the Read Up Program, please contact literacy specialist Rolann Aronson at 575-7030. Theycurrently have 10 student applicants who have completed the assessment and are waiting for a Truckee tutor. Perhaps you can make a new students’ holidays brighter with the contribution of an hour per week teaching a one-on-one English class in speaking, reading or writing. And, simultaneously, enrich your own life.

Truckee Library, 10031 Levon Ave., 582-7846, www.mynevadacounty.com/library

Library Hours

Monday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Tuesday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Wednesday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Thursday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Tuesday Toddler Time at 10:30 a.m. (ages 2 to 3 years)

Babes in Bookland on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. (ages 6 months to 2 years)

Storytelling with Mrs. Fix on Thursdays at 11:15 a.m. (ages 3 years and up)

Spanish Storytime on Fridays at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (ages 2 and up)

Bookshelf’s Dry Camp Book Club at the Library

Meets monthly at the Library. Participants at the book group meeting

will receive a coupon for 15 percent off a one-time book purchase at

the Bookshelf at Hooligan Rocks. Everyone is welcome.

Now on display at the library:

Portraits by Truckee artist Raphael Jolly

Above the Fireplace: Sand Harbor in oils by Linda D’Toole