LISNews: Librarian News

According to a recent study conducted by the American Institutes for Research (funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts), "twenty percent of U.S. college students completing 4-year degrees - and 30 percent of students earning 2-year degrees - have only basic quantitative literacy skills." More on this study can be found in the press release, including links to the fact sheet and final report.

From A PR Newswire: On Thursday, January 19th, 2006 Starbucks
cafes across the country will be hosting the second annual Lattes for Literacy
Day.
On Lattes for Literacy Day, 100% of all Starbucks latte proceeds will be
donated to ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation and Frontier College, two important
Canadian charities that are working to ensure that all Canadians have the
literacy skills they need to succeed. The charities will use the funds to help
support youth literacy programs in Canada. The programs address statistics
that show that many Canadians lack the skills needed to meet everyday reading
requirements.

Redcardlibrarian writes "Dr. Weil, on his website (www.drweil.com) promotes the activity of reading has a healthy activity:

"Books are more than just educational. They serve as outlets for our fantasies, can be inspirational, motivational, or just relaxing - pretty much anything you want them to be! This is National Book Week - a time when we encourage you to turn off the TV and pick up a book. Visit your local library (if you do not have a borrower's card, call ahead and see what you need to bring), go to a bookstore (new or used), or ask a friend for a recommendation. You can even join a book club - a wonderful way to connect with others and learn from their perspectives. Many coffee shops and bookstores have postings for book clubs that delve into almost any topic.""

The Republican - Springfield,MA says when it comes to learning English, the public library is essential. Libraries are one of the first places new immigrants visit in their search for information and a way to learn about the language and culture, says Jonas Barrientos, 54, a local English teacher for foreigners.

Barrientos has taught English for Speakers of Other Languages at the West Springfield Public Library for the past 13 years, and teaches English at the Westfield Athenaeum as well.