Creating A Successful Family Learning Center at Your Library

California Library Association ConferenceNovember 1, 2009, 1:45 – 3 p.m.

What You Need to Get Started

•900 square feet of space, including collection display, office, and classroom areas

•Dedicated computers – loaded with literacy and ESL software

•Signage•Collections – multiple formats, multiple

languages, with a dedicated budget•Dedicated staff – FLC coordinators at each site•Community partners•Various ongoing and one-time programs

Inspiration

Master Plan for Bond Program

Education as a Factor for an FLC

Less than 9th grade

9th to 12th

grade, no diploma

High school

grad. (incl.

equivalency)

Some college,

no degreeAssociate

degreeBachelor's degree

Graduate or prof. degree Total

•Dr. Cruz Alum Rock 19% 16% 21% 20% 6% 13% 4% 100%

•East Branch 24% 18% 20% 16% 5% 10% 7% 100%

•Tully Branch 19% 16% 20% 19% 8% 13% 5% 100%

•Hillview 28% 19% 22% 16% 5% 7% 2% 100%

Branch Community Profile

White, 24%

Asian, 44%Hispanic, 36%

African American, 4%

Multi-Racial, 4%

Other, 23%

White

Asian

Hispanic

African American

Multi-Racial

Other

Community Profile-Primary Language

Spanish English

Vietnamese

Chinese

Other

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

Spanish English Vietnamese Chinese Other

Best Practices: Facilities / Space

Facilities - Tully

Facilities – Alum Rock

Facilities – Hillview

Facilities – East Branch

Vision /Mission of the FLCsVision

To build a stronger community through learning opportunities that enable families and individuals to attain self-sufficiency.

MissionThe mission of the Family Learning Center is to provide free innovative programs and services to families and individuals to improve literacy and life skills through dedicated staff, facilities, special collections and technology.

Collections

•ESL•Citizenship•GED & CAHSEE•Basic Life Skills•Grammar/Writing•Literacy

Development

Best Practices: Collections

Best Practices: Computers

•Dedicated to FLC•Enable everything•Purchase networked/server software•Be consistent with your adult literacy

programs

Literacy / Early Care Collaboration

Best Practices: Partnerships

Partner Testimonial

From Theresa Warren, Administrative Supervisor, East Side Adult Education:

“Because the library is already recognized as a “safe place”, students feel comfortable attending classes in the libraries’ community rooms.  The class becomes a community in itself.”

Partner Testimonial

From Alyssa Banuelos, First Five:

Working with the Tully Library has been fun, informative, and a great way to reach all groups in our community.   It has helped me interact with families with whom I realize need, and want information about health care, referrals, community events, and other information that FIRST 5 Santa Clara County helps with.   Seeing the great changes in the Library system has made me realize how important it is to maintain a Community minded environment where both children and adults can utilize all the services of the Library.  I have been very lucky to work at many community agencies that have opened their doors, and hearts to the idea that all children need to be able to read, and truly enjoy the experience of hearing a great story.

Serving Various Immigrant Groups

Programs •Parenting classes and workshops•ESL and Citizenship classes•Bilingual story times•ESL Conversation Clubs•Computer instruction in various languages• Informational programs in various

languages•Cultural programs in various languages

Provided by both staff and partners!!

Program Statistics – 3rd Quarter 2009, for 4 FLCsTypes of Programs – 35

Total Number of Programs – 393

Programs in What Language•  English - 252• Spanish - 20• Vietnamese - 17•  English/Spanish – 57• Eng/Viet – 36• Cambodian – 11

Total Number of Participants - 6555

Programs

FLC Computer Orientation

Best Practices: Programs

•Mutually beneficial partnerships•Family-based programming•Targeting different cultures, generations•Repeat programs if possible

Best Practices for a FLC: A Review•900 square feet of space, including collection

display, office/storage, and classroom areas•Dedicated computers – loaded with literacy

and ESL software•Signage•Collections – multiple formats, multiple

languages, with a dedicated budget•Dedicated staff – FLC coordinators at each

site•Community partners•Various ongoing and one-time programs

Questions??

Thank you!• Carol Frost, Division Managercarol.frost@sjlibrary.org408-808-2048

• Candice Tran, FLC Coordinator, Tully Branchcandice.tran@sjlibrary.org 408-808-3030

• Mana Tominaga, FLC Coordinator, Alum Rock Branchmana.tominaga@sjlibrary.org 408-808-3090