Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Thought for the Day

"But if you visit public libraries, you will see an essential service in action, as librarians help people who don't have other ways to get online, can't get the answers they urgently need, or simply need a safe place to bring their children."

--Marilyn Johnson, "U. S. Public Libraries:  We Lose Them at Our Peril," Los Angeles Times, July 6, 2010

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Dare to Read Summer Program

Dare to Read, our book club for adults who are learning English, is on a break right now but will start again during the first week of June.  We meet at the Ferrari Learning Center, 107 W. Rampart.  And this summer, as we did last summer, we will have two clubs:  one will meet on Tuesdays from 11am-noon; the other will meet on Wednesdays from 11am-noon.  You can join either club or both! 

The summer club will end on July 24 and July 25.

What happens at a club meeting?  At the first meeting, the librarian will ask you to fill out a registration form.  If you don't have a library card already, you will be given the chance to sign up for one, on the spot.  With the card you will be able to check out a copy of the book that the club will be reading at the next meeting.  Take the book home and begin reading.

At the second meeting, the librarian will take attendance and then ask any newcomers to fill out the registration form.  If anyone doesn't have a library card, the librarian will issue one.  Then we begin our discussion of the book.  First we read aloud--everyone will have the chance to read aloud, as much as you feel comfortable doing.  As we read, we will talk about interesting points in the book. 

Usually, we take two or three meetings to go through a book.  We don't rush; our goal is to enjoy the book as well as to practice speaking and reading English.  When we are finished with a book, you can return the copy you borrowed to the librarian and borrow a copy of the next book.

We are reading books that were especially made for adults who are learning English.  The books are revised versions of famous novels, such as Dracula, Phantom of the Opera, Tom Sawyer, The Wizard of Oz, Robinson Crusoe and A Christmas Carol.  We will first read Level 1 books--these books are about 40 pages long and require that you know 400 words of English.  When all the club members are ready to progress, we will read some Level 2 books.  Usually, by the end of the summer, we have reached Level 3.